Comparison of conservative and surgical treatment methods in patients with meniscopathy

Objective: Arthroscopic surgery is currently a well-known treatment method for meniscal pathologies. This study aims to compare conservative and surgical methods in patients with meniscopathy. Materials and Methods: The retrospective analyses of 68 patients with meniscal tear were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: a medical treatment group (MTG) and a surgical treatment group (STG). Diagnosis was perfomed by physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients were evaluated before and after treatment with main pain score (MPS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, body mass index (BMI), and Ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (US-CRP). In the MTG group, 31 patients underwent medical treatment with naproxen sodium for three days, ice application, activity modification, and muscle exercises. In the STG group, 37 patients underwent arthroscopic partial menisectomy and naproxen sodium for three days. Parameters characterizing pretreatment and posttreatment states were compared statistically. The MPS, IKDC, BMI, and US-CRP values of both groups were recorded at baseline and three months after treatment. Results: Surgical treatment group (STG): In this group, after three months of treatment, MPS decreased and IKDC scores increased significantly when compared with baseline (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). The difference for the US-CRP levels and BMI values was not statistically significant (P = 0.1500 and P > 0.1799, respectively). Medical treatment group (MTG): In this group, MPS decreased and BMI increased significantly after three months compared with preoperative scores (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). However, the difference between average IKDC scores and US-CRP levels was not statistically significant (P = 0.1828 and P > 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: IKDC and pain scores of patients with meniscal tear improved by arthroscopic knee surgery. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2016; 5(2.000): 78-84]