Single-leaf partial meniscectomy in extensive horizontal tears of the discoid lateral meniscus: Does decreased peripheral meniscal thickness affect outcomes? (Mean four-year follow-up)

•We evaluated the outcomes of full-extent single-leaf partial meniscectomy.•Single-leaf partial meniscectomy group had no adverse results by decreased meniscal height.•They showed more favorable results compared with subtotal meniscectomy group.

BackgroundTo evaluate whether single-leaf partial meniscectomy in horizontal tears along the entire discoid lateral meniscus has any advantages in clinical and radiological results compared with other meniscectomies in discoid lateral meniscus.MethodsA total of 145 patients with a horizontal tear pattern in symptomatic lateral discoid meniscus were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-seven patients had undergone full-extent single-leaf partial meniscectomy (group A), 60 had undergone conventional partial meniscectomy (saucerization) maintaining peripheral meniscal height (group B), and 58 patients had undergone total meniscectomy (group C). Each patient was evaluated with the Lysholm knee score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective grading, and modified Kellgren-Lawrence grade in plain radiography at their last follow-up.ResultsGroup C had inferior functional results to groups A and B on the Lysholm knee score and IKDC subjective score. There was no significant difference between groups A and B. Group C fared significantly worse than groups A and B (p = 0.003, p < 0.001) by modified Kellgren-Lawrence grade.ConclusionWith regard to clinical and radiological evaluations in lateral discoid meniscus tears, the full-extent single-leaf partial meniscectomy group had no adverse results compared with the total meniscectomy group and was not significantly different compared to the conventional partial meniscectomy group.Study designCohort study.Level of evidenceLevel III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence