Effects of medial meniscectomy in patients older than forty years

49 of 65 consecutive patients who were more than 40 years old when medial meniscectomy was performed returned for follow-up evaluation 1 to 12 years postoperatively. Pain was present in 62.2 % of the patients with socalled degenerative tears and in 75 % of those with so-called traumatic tears. The medial joint space was significantly thinner in the patients with degenerative tears than in those with traumatic tears. The roentgenographic findings of osteoarthritis were significantly more severe on the side operated on. The femorotibial angle was always in relatively more varus angulation on the involved side (mean, 5.3 degrees) than on the uninvolved side.