Arthroscopic treatment of meniscal cysts.

Historically meniscal cysts have been treated with either an open total menisectomy, isolated cyst excision, or a combination of the two procedures. The advent of arthroscopic techniques has led to innovative treatment options for meniscal cyst management. A review of meniscal cysts and the results of arthroscopic treatment form the basis of this study. From 1986 to 1991, 18 patients with meniscal cysts were treated by arthroscopic cyst decompression. Thirteen men and five women comprised the study group and had an average age of 28 years. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 60 months (average 26). Eight of the cysts were medial and 10 were lateral. A horizontal cleavage tear was noted in all cases, and 15 partial and three subtotal menisectomies were performed in conjunction with an intraarticular cyst decompression. There have been no recurrences to date, and all patients returned to their previous level of activity. Parameniscal cysts may result from synovial fluid tracking through a horizontal cleavage tear. Successful treatment of the meniscal cyst must include appropriate management of the torn meniscus, which can be entirely arthroscopic, consisting of a partial or subtotal meniscectomy, identification of the cyst opening, and cyst decompression.