Tratamiento de las lesiones meniscales degenerativas: Meniscectomía artroscópica vs. terapía física.

Abstract

Introduction: The Arthroscopic surgery as a treatment for meniscal injury is the most frequent orthopedic surgical intervention. Its efficacy is demonstrated in traumatic meniscal injuries in young patients, but its indication in degenerative meniscal injuries are not so clear.

Objective: The main objective is to find which is the best treatment for a degenerative meniscal lesion,if the surgical intervention by arthroscopy or an intervention based on the prescription of a physical exercise program (kinesic rehabilitation).
Materials and Methods: Between January 2016 and February 2017, 20 arthroscopies with partial meniscectomy + physiotherapy were made and been compared with 20 patients in whom only the physiotherapy protocol was performed, the age group were patients between 35 and 65 years. The functional scales of Lysholm were performed with range of mobility and pain measured at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Results: The average follow-up was 1 year (3 - 11 months) for the arthroscopic meniscectomy + physiotherapy group and 1 year (4 - 11 months) for the kinesthetic rehabilitation group, there were no significant differences in functional scales at medium term.

Conclusion: The physiotherapy through an intervention based on the prescription of an established exercise program results in a procedure as reliable as arthroscopic surgery, by partial meniscectomy in the treatment of meniscal degenerative lesions.
Evidence Level: IV

Analysis Type: Retrospective