title: The posterior medial complex disruption.
abstract: Seventy-five patients with 86 complex tears of the medial meniscus posterior horn (posterior medial complex disruptions) treated by arthroscopic partial meniscectomy were contacted for evaluation of their functional results. Forty-five patients returned for physical and radiographic examination 1 to 6 years after surgery. Condylar chondromalacia was significantly higher in patients waiting to undergo surgery over 6 months from the onset of their symptoms (94%) than those waiting less than 6 months (40%) (P = .0001). Patients were classified into phases based on preoperative x-rays and the operative presence of condylar chondromalacia. Satisfactory results were seen in 87% of phase 0 and phase 1 patients, 50% of phase 2 patients, and 32% of phase 3 patients. Phase classification provided significant data for prognostication of satisfactory results (P = .0001). With advancing age, presence of preoperative x-ray changes, the articular cartilage damage may compromise the results. Most patients in this study exhibited clinical improvement suggesting some benefit from the mechanical washout, if not the meniscectomy.
authors.affiliation: Plano Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, Texas 75075.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries