Arthoscopy partial meniscectomy: results after more than one year follow up in working compensation vs. Non-working compensation parients

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate and compare the results of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for meniscus tears in working compensation vs. non-working compensation patients. METHODS: Sixty patients treated in our institution between June 2016 and May 2017 with the diagnosis of acute meniscus tears that did not respond to conservative treatment were evaluated. All lesions were diagnosed with previous MRI. There were 30 patients under working compensation insurance and 30 under another insurance system (53 men, and 7 women). The age ranged between 18 and 45 years. Thirty-six tears were located in the internal menisci and twenty-four in the external menisci. The average follow-up was 18 months. Lysholm and EVA scores were obtained. RESULTS: Of the 30 non-working compensation patients, 28 evolved favorably with an improvement in the Lysholm score of 53 to 93 points and EVA of 7 to 1 points on average and returned to activity prior to the injury. Two of them continued with mild discomfort, without affecting their daily routines. In working compensation patients 14 evolved favorably, with improvement in the Lysholm score of 48 to 74 points and EVA 7 to 2 points on average and return to their usual work activity. Sixteen of them presented moderate pain with partial job return or required change of tasks. CONCLUSION: The results of partial meniscectomy in non-work-related patients were excellent to good, with 96% return to daily activities. Regarding work-related patients, regular results were obtained, with a return to their usual work activity of only 53%.