[Partial meniscectomy via arthroscope in patients over 50 years old].
Between July 1983 and July 1986 115 patients, aged 50 years and older, suffering from 122 meniscal tears, were treated by arthroscopic surgery. Of these, 109 patients with 116 meniscectomy could be seen for a follow-up examination 2 years postoperatively. Patients of 50 years and older are known to need a long hospitalisation and a long rehabilitation period after an open meniscectomy. A quarter of all patients had a knee accident in their past as the cause of their complaints. Their main complaints are pain and swelling. As could be expected we found degenerative changes in 78% of the knees. After arthroscopic surgery the hospital stay is short, 75% is back home within 2 days. Half of the patients needed physiotherapy afterwards, 80% of all arthroscopically treated patients were satisfied. The group of patients aged 70 years and older scored worse, 50% of this group was satisfied. Two patients with severe degenerative changes on the X-rays did well. There is a positive correlation between the changes found arthroscopically and the final result.