W e reviewed 74 partial medial meniscectomies in 57 patients with stable knees, to assess the long-term functional and radiological outcome. The International Knee Documentation Committee score and the residual laxity were assessed in both knees. At the time of surgery the mean age of the patients was 36 ± 11 years and the mean follow-up was 12 ± 1 years. All had a limited medial meniscectomy. The anterior cruciate ligament was intact in all cases. The meniscal tear was vertical in 95% and complex in 5%. The posterior part of the meniscus was removed in 99%. A peripheral rim was preserved in all cases. After 12 years 95% of the patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their knee(s). Objectively, 57% had grade A function and 43% were grade B. The outcome correlated only with the presence of anterior knee pain at final follow-up. In the 49 cases of arthroscopic meniscectomy for which there was a contralateral normal knee there was narrowing of the 'joint-space' in 16% of the operated knees. There was no correlation between this and other parameters such as age or different meniscal pathologies. 18-20We describe a retrospective review of arthroscopic limited medial meniscectomy carried out on stable knees in order to assess the long-term functional and radiological outcome over a 12-year period. Patients and MethodsBetween 1982 and 1986, 305 limited medial meniscectomies in patients with an intact anterior cruciate ligament were undertaken in our institution. No other procedure was performed. All these patients were sent up to four letters of invitation to return for review. Telephone contact was also attempted. Only one-third replied. Their place of residence, distance to travel and the cost were some of the reasons why so few returned for re-examination. We therefore reviewed 74 knees in 57 patients (17 bilateral) at a minimum follow-up of at least ten years. Most of the patients were men (81%) and the right knee was involved in 59%. The mean age at operation was 36 ± 11 years with 34% being more than 40 years of age. At review, the mean age was 48 ± 10 years and the mean follow-up 12 ± 1 years.Of these 57 patients, 31% undertook strenuous activities (class I) before surgery, 23% moderate (class II) and 46% only light activities (class III). There was a history of playing sport in 57% of the patients, mainly soccer (34%). Pivot and contact sports were undertaken in 43%. There was a history of trauma in 52%.The patients were reviewed clinically and radiologically by an independent examiner. The follow-up clinical examination was based on the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Residual laxity in both knees was assessed for with a manual KT-1000 instrument (MEDmetric Corporation, San Diego, California). We graded patients A, B, C or D according to the IKDC score. Return to sports was evaluated at the five-year follow-up, but not at the final review.