Our Summary

The researchers wanted to compare two different types of treatments for a type of knee injury called horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs). The two treatments are partial meniscectomy, which involves removing part of the damaged knee tissue, and meniscal repair, which involves fixing the damaged tissue. They looked at a bunch of different studies on these treatments that were already done, and compared things like how well patients did after surgery, how often the surgery failed, how often there were complications, and how the knee looked on X-rays after surgery.

They looked at 18 studies that involved 833 patients with these knee tears. About 67.5% of the patients had the partial meniscectomy and 32.5% had the meniscal repair. They found that both treatments generally improved how well the knee worked and how the patients felt, and the failure rates were similar for both treatments. However, they found that there were more complications with the repair treatment, especially in patients who were 42 years old or younger. They also found that the patients who had the partial meniscectomy had more signs of wear and tear on their knees when they looked at the X-rays afterwards. So, both treatments have their pros and cons, and which one is best may depend on the specific patient.

FAQs

  1. What are the two types of treatments for horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs)?
  2. How did the researchers compare the effectiveness of partial meniscectomy and meniscal repair?
  3. What were the findings regarding complications and signs of wear and tear for both partial meniscectomy and meniscal repair?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about meniscectomy is to carefully follow the post-operative rehabilitation plan provided by your healthcare team. This may include exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee, as well as avoiding activities that put excessive strain on the knee during the healing process. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure a successful recovery and minimize the risk of complications.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for meniscectomy are those with horizontal cleavage tears in the knee, especially if they are older or have a higher risk for complications with meniscal repair. Additionally, patients who have not had success with conservative treatments such as physical therapy or medications may also be recommended for meniscectomy. Ultimately, the decision on whether to undergo meniscectomy or meniscal repair should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider based on individual factors and preferences.

Timeline

Before meniscectomy:

  1. Patient experiences knee pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.
  2. Patient undergoes physical examination, imaging tests (such as MRI), and possibly arthroscopy to diagnose the extent of the meniscus tear.
  3. Doctor recommends meniscectomy if conservative treatments such as physical therapy and medication do not provide relief.

After meniscectomy:

  1. Patient undergoes surgery to remove the damaged part of the meniscus.
  2. Patient may experience pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee immediately after surgery.
  3. Patient undergoes physical therapy to regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the knee.
  4. Patient gradually resumes normal activities and sports, with the guidance of their healthcare provider.
  5. Long-term follow-up may be needed to monitor for any complications, such as osteoarthritis development or persistent knee pain.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with a meniscectomy?
  2. How long is the recovery time for a meniscectomy?
  3. Will I need physical therapy after the surgery?
  4. What are the chances of the knee injury recurring after a meniscectomy?
  5. How will a meniscectomy affect my long-term knee health?
  6. Are there any alternative treatments to consider instead of a meniscectomy?
  7. How do you determine if a partial meniscectomy or meniscal repair is the best option for my specific case?
  8. What is the success rate of meniscal repair compared to partial meniscectomy?
  9. Are there any specific factors or characteristics about my knee injury that may make one treatment more suitable than the other?
  10. How will the decision between a partial meniscectomy or meniscal repair impact my daily activities and quality of life in the long term?

Reference

Authors: Allende F, Dzidzishvili L, Garcia JR, Ayala SG, Mowers C, Sachdev D, Allahabadi S, Chahla J. Journal: Arthroscopy. 2025 Jul;41(7):2680-2694. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2024.10.009. Epub 2024 Oct 18. PMID: 39426762