Meniscal lesions in children and adolescents: a review of the pathology and clinical presentation

Abstract Findings at 56 arthrotomies in a series of children of 15 years of age and younger, who were suspected of having meniscal lesions were recorded and correlated with the preoperative history, findings from physical examination and some diagnostic tests. The results suggest that both the most common pathological lesions and the mode of presentation of meniscal lesions in children differ from those most commonly seen in adults. In children, an accurate history, physical examination, prolonged observation, and even direct inspection at arthrotomy may often be unreliable in determining the true pathology. These data combined with recent reports of the poor long-term prognosis after meniscectomy in children stress the need for making an accurate diagnosis by arthroscopy and arthrography before embarking on meniscectomy.