Meniscectomy in children: results in 59 knees

Forty-nine children undergoing meniscectomy have been reviewed. Fifty-nine knees were examined with a mean follow-up period of 7.5 years. There was an equal number of operations in both sexes, with a high proportion of operations on the lateral meniscus. A good result was noted in 68 per cent of boys and 29 per cent of girls. Only 27 per cent of patients had normal radiographs; 19 per cent had early osteoarthrosis. The preoperative diagnosis was correct in only 65 per cent of cases. It is concluded that meniscectomy is not a benign procedure in children, and that preoperative assessment should include arthroscopy and possibly arthrography.