Arthroscopic Versus Conservative Treatment of Degenerative Meniscal Tear in Middle Aged Patients in Regard to Pain & Knee Function

Arthroscopic Versus Conservative Treatment of Degenerative Meniscal Tear in Middle Aged Patients in Regard to Pain & Knee Function: Comparative Study

The study is prospective comparative study, conducted in Erbil teaching hospital on 60 patients, their age ranging between 40 and 60 years. All were clinically diagnosed to have degenerative medial meniscal tear then confirmed by MRI. Thirty patients were treated conservatively, thirty patients were treated arthroscopically.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Atraumatic continuous pain in medial aspect of knee affecting daily activities, for more than one month despite the treatment of general physician.
2. Grade 3 degenerative tear of medial meniscus approved on MRI.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Meniscal tear due to trauma.
2. Any rheumatologic knee disease.
3. MRI showing ligament injury, loose bodies, tumors and osteochondral defects.
4. Former surgery of knee and lower limb fractures in the last year.
5. Knee joints with osteoarthritis graded 2 or more according to Kellgren-Lawrence scale (Kellgren and Lawrence, 1957) on weight-bearing knee x-ray.
6. Lateral meniscus tear.