title: Simple arthroscopic partial meniscectomy associated with anterior cruciate-deficient knees.
abstract: Twenty-five patients with combined tears of the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in the same knee were evaluated for the results of a simple arthroscopic meniscectomy that preserved the meniscal rim. These patients, classified as "recreational athletes," were analyzed to determine their postoperative functional capabilities. Using the presence or absence of the pivot shift sign as the most important indicator of functional capability, we found that partial meniscectomy was effective in allowing patients to regain a high degree of normal functional ability and in permitting forward motion activities. However, all patients were left with an anterior cruciate-deficient knee that caused laxity in the anterior plane and frequently in the rotatory plane. Rotatory laxity markedly limits activities, and those patients unable to adjust to their instability are considering further surgery.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013177:Sports