Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Background: Degenerative meniscal tear is a very common health issue in the middle age group population worldwide. A common cause of medial knee pain in this age group. Still debated what the treatment of choice is. This study compares the clinical outcomes of conservative versus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy patients with degenerative meniscal lesions. 
Method: The prospective randomised experiment included 60 40–60-year-old individuals. MRI revealed degenerative medial meniscal tears in all. Thirty patients were conservatively and thirty arthroscopically treated. They were evaluated for knee function and discomfort using the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and VAS. After 8 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year of therapy, each group was tested again using the same approach. Then both groups' clinical results were statistically analyzed. 
Results: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy did not enhance clinical outcomes more than conservative therapy. After one year, conservative and menisectomy groups had average Lysholm knee scores of 78.67 and 78.27, respectively (P = 1.000). Median VAS ratings were 2 in conservative and 1.5 in arthroscopic. Most patients in both groups reported significant pain alleviation and improved knee function after 8 weeks of therapy (P < 0.0001). 
Conclusion: Conservative therapy and arthroscopic menisectomy of degenerative meniscal tears did not significantly vary in knee pain alleviation or function until one-year follow-up.