Arthroscopic thermal shrinkage for hypermobile lateral meniscus.
BACKGROUND
The posterior segment of the lateral meniscus is relatively mobile as compared with that of the medial meniscus; that is because of its characteristic anatomy. Abnormal mobility of the lateral meniscus with no obvious rupture can be an unusual cause of knee pain and locking during deep knee flexion.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate results for a small series of patients with hypermobile lateral meniscus, treated with thermal shrinkage of the supporting ligaments.


METHODS
Series of case reports.


METHODS
Five patients with hypermobile lateral meniscus were identified out of 625 patients who underwent meniscus surgery over a 20-month period. Thermal energy was applied to the peripheral zone of the lateral meniscus until abnormal translation was reduced. The patients were followed up an average of 21 months after the surgery.


RESULTS
In 4 patients, no recurrence of locking was encountered in the postoperative period. In 1 patient, locking was experienced again 3 months after surgery and meniscal repair was performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Thermal shrinkage can be considered an appropriate treatment in place of subtotal meniscectomy or meniscal repair for hypermobility of the lateral meniscus.
Ohtoshi
Kenichi
K
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Zenshukai Gumma Sports Medicine Research Center, Japan. ken0104@d2.dion.ne.jp
Kimura
Masashi
M
Kobayashi
Yasukazu
Y
Higuchi
Hiroshi
H
Kikuchi
Shinichi
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome