Meniscus suture provides better clinical and biomechanical results at 1-year follow-up than meniscectomy.
BACKGROUND
Surgery of meniscus tear results in limitation of function. The aim of study was functional assessment of knee 1 year after surgery with two techniques in cases of the medial meniscus tear followed by the same supervised rehabilitation.


METHODS
A total of 30 patients with good KOSS scores constituted two equal groups after partial meniscectomy or meniscus suture. Measurements of knee extensors and flexors muscles peak torques were performed with angular velocities 60, 180, 240 and 300 s(-1) using Biodex IV system. One-leg-hop and one-leg-rising tests ascertained the function of operated knee. Results of examinations were compared with reference to healthy volunteers. Results of biomechanical and clinical studies were correlated to create complex and objective method evaluating treatment.


RESULTS
Extensors peak torque values at 60 s(-1) angular velocity and H/Q coefficient were decreased after meniscectomy more than meniscus suture in comparison to healthy volunteers (P ≤ 0.001; P ≤ 0.05). Analysis of functional tests revealed that patients after meniscectomy showed difference between operated and non-operated knee (P ≤ 0.01) while patients with meniscus suture differed the least to controls (P ≤ 0.05). Extensors peak torque values at 60 s(-1) angular velocity correlated with results of one-leg-rising test.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest worse functional effects when meniscectomy is applied which implies modification of the rehabilitative methods in a postoperative period.
Department of Pathophysiology of Locomotor Organs, Wiktor Dega Clinical Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Hospital, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland. zpnr@wp.pl
Juliusz
J
Huber
Przemysław
P
Lisiński
Paulina
P
Kłoskowska
Agnieszka
A
Gronek
Ewa
E
Lisiewicz
Tomasz
T
Trzeciak
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012086:Reoperation; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D055815:Young Adult