Long-term results after meniscectomy in 60 patients

The long-term results of total meniscectomy in 60 patients were reviewed. The patients were followed up to 10 to 33 years. 58.3% of the patients had excellent or good results. Statistical analysis showed that the late results were related to the time of follow-up and not associated with the duration of disease before operation. Radiological degeneration of the knee was seen in 35 patients (87.5%), whereas no relationship of the degeneration to the clinical results was found. It is indicated that the menisci are so important in biomechanics that total meniscectomy should be avoided as far as possible.