Meniscal Cysts Treated Arthroscopically with Cystectomy: A Two Year Follow Up

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcome, we performed a retro-spective review of 35 lateral meniscal cysts that were treated arthroscopically at our institution which was a retrospective study. From a series of 1000 knee arthroscopies, 41 patients who had lateral meniscal cysts were selected. 2 of the 35 patients were lost to follow-up and 4 patients had associated other pathology; therefore, 35 lateral meniscal cysts on stable knees were included in this study. Average follow-up was 2 years (range, 12 months to 42 months). The mean age was 33 years (range, 12 to 69 years). All patients had complained of tenderness over the joint line with a palpable mass. All patients underwent a complete physical examination and all cases were treated arthroscopically before surgery and at last follow-up. Lateral meniscal tear was found in all patients at the time of surgery and 20(57%) had a horizontal cleavage component. For meniscal tears, arthroscopic partial lateral meniscectomy was performed in 34 cases and meniscal repair was done in 1 case. , intraarticular debridement was performed for cyst in 2 cases and open cystectomy in 33. Two cysts recurred and a second arthroscopy was required. The clinical results, including those cases with recurrent cysts, were excellent or good in 87% of cases. In conclusion, when there was a cyst and no other intra-articular damage, the prognosis was excellent. For lateral meniscal cysts, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy with intra-articular debridement yields predictable results.