Non-operative treatment of degenerative posterior root tear of the medial meniscus

Abstract

We reviewed thirty patients with degenerative posterior root tear of the medial meniscus to investigate clinical results of non-operative treatment retrospectively. There were 3 men and 27 women at a median age of 59 years old (range, 51-65). The median follow-up period was 36 months (range, 24-51). Non-operative treatments included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs daily for 8-12 weeks and supervised physical therapy twice a week at least during a period of 8 weeks. The symptoms, physical signs, the Visual Analog Scale pain, the Lysholm Knee Scoring scale and IKDC subjective activity level were analyzed at the time of pre-intervention, 6 months, 12 months and the final follow-ups. Most patients had intense mechanical pain initially, but the severity and frequency of pain was decreased within 3 months. Clinical outcome was improved at 12 months follow-up and then declined to a level that was still improved over initial scores at final follow-up. Two patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 progressed to grade 3 at the median follow-up of 36 months. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that non-operative treatment provided symptomatic relief in most patients with the degenerative posterior root tear of the medial meniscus and functional improvements in a short term follow-up.

Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tear: A Comprehensive Review

“…Nevertheless, the clinical results of MMPRT treatment can be satisfying with early diagnosis and proper conservative treatment. Lim et al33) compared clinical outcomes of non-operative treatment, either drug therapy or physiotherapy, that was prescribed to 30 patients for 8 weeks. At an average of 36 months of follow-up, the authors found a statistically significant enhancement in both groups when compared to the placebo group.…”

Comparison between conservative treatment and arthroscopic pull-out repair of the medial meniscus root tear and analysis of prognostic factors for the determination of repair indication

“…Lim et al [9] reported a successful conservative treatment of MMRT; however, most patients were acute onset and the follow-up period was only 12 months. Recent biomechanical studies reported that repaired MMRT restored the peak contact pressure close to the normal level [6][7][8]10].…”

Comparison of Clinical and Radiologic Results Between Partial Meniscectomy and Refixation of Medial Meniscus Posterior Root Tears: A Minimum 5-Year Follow-up

“…3,[5][6][7] Recently, surgeons have recognized the importance of MMPRTs, and several biomechanical and biological studies have considered what type of management is most appropriate. Several regimens for MMPRTs have been introduced, including conservative treatment, 8,9 meniscectomy, 10,11 root refixation, [11][12][13][14][15][16] and high tibial osteotomy. 17 The "traditional" treatment for MMPRTs is meniscectomy; it has been widely used for a long time.…”