Acta Medica Medianae
Vol. 45
Number 1, Januar, 2006
UDK 61
YU ISSN 0365-4478

 

Contact:
Saša Milenković
Orthopedic Clinic Clinical Center
48 dr Zoran Djindjic Street
18000 Nis, Serbia and Montenegro
Tel.: 018/ 230-184, 063/428-791
E-mail: sasa65@bankerinter.net

Copyright 2006 by Faculty  of Medicine, University of Nis

OCCURRENCE OF EARLY KNEE ARTHROSIS FOLLOWING TOTAL MENISCECTOMIES IN YOUTH

Sasa Milenkovic

Orthopedic Clinic Clinical Center of  Nis

The occurrence of early knee arthrosis following early total meniscectomy is a significant orthopedic, social and economical problem. Arthroscopic surgery shows the role and significance of the menisci for normal knee functioning. The outcome of 19 knee arthroscopies are presented; patients are of male sex, average age 39 (from 34 to 45). All patients underwent knee arthrotomy and total medial and lateral meniscectomy before the age of 25. All patients were active sportsmen. 12 arthroscopies of the right knee and 7 arthroscopies of the left one were done. In 13 patients, medial knee arthrosis following medial meniscectomy was found. One patient  had  lateral knee arthrosis  and  degeneration of the medial meniscus following lateral meniscectomy . The same patient had the total rupture of LCA.  The remaining 5 patients had lateral knee arthrosis  following lateral meniscectomy. One or more loose bodies of cartilaginous origin were found in 8 patients. All the operated patients had evident early signs of initial or progressive knee arthrosis confirmed or diagnosed arthroscopically. Knee arthroscopy in early arthroses following knee meniscectomies in youth can relieve the pain and slow down disease progression. A permanent solution to the problem is possible only with unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Acta Medica Medianae 2006;45(1):61–64.