[Consequences of arthroscopic meniscal resection]

The functional and radiological consequences of arthroscopic meniscal resection were assessed in an 8.5 years follow up of 136 patients. Twenty three percent had undergone re-arthroscopy. Function related pain in the operated knee was reported by 44% of the patients. Radiological degenerative changes appeared in significantly more of the operated knees than in the knees not operated. The combination of varus knees and resection of the medial meniscus or valgus knees and lateral resection was associated with significantly more degenerative changes than after resection in knees with normal alignment. Resection of flap tears was associated with more re-operations and more function related knee pain than resection of bucket-handle lesions.