Two hundred patients were randomly selected for either a partial or a total meniscectomy for a meniscal tear during open operation. They were followed for a median of 7.8 years after operation. After partial meniscectomy, posterior horn tears had the worst outcome, but this was only apparent when more than two-thirds of the meniscus had been removed. The amount of meniscal tissue excised was inversely related to the function of the knee, except with bucket-handle tears treated by partial meniscectomy. Patients with bucket-handle, anterior and posterior horn tears had similar functional results after total meniscectomy. Preservation of the peripheral rim of the meniscus following partial meniscectomy produces the best functional results.

Two hundred patients with a meniscal lesion were peroperatively allocated to partial or total meniscectomy in a random manner. The results were compared at one year and at 6.3 to 9.8 years (median 7.8). After one year more patients with partial meniscectomy (90%) than with total meniscectomy (80%) had no complaints. At the later review these figures were 62% and 52%, respectively (p = 0.18). However, patients with partial meniscectomy had higher functional scores. The deterioration in function between the first review and the second showed no significant difference in the two treatment groups. The incidence of mediolateral instability rose from 8% to 47% and was more frequent after total than after partial meniscectomy. Between the two reviews the radiological signs of knee degeneration increased with no difference between the two treatment groups.

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