EVALUATION OF THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF PARTIAL MENISCECTOMY ON KNEE JOINT HEALTH

Rationale: Meniscectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures for meniscal injuries. Depending on the clinical situation, either partial meniscectomy (PM) or total meniscectomy (TM) is performed, each having its own long-term consequences, which remain the subject of active scientific discussions. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical outcomes of PM and to assess its impact on the long-term health of the knee joint based on existing literature data. Methods: A review of scientific publications was conducted, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies published since 2019. Studies providing data on long-term clinical outcomes, such as osteoarthritis progression, pain syndrome, knee joint functional activity, and patient quality of life after surgery, were included. Articles with low evidence quality and small sample sizes were excluded. Results: The analysis revealed that PM is associated with slower progression of osteoarthritis and reduced pain syndrome. In contrast, TM leads to more pronounced degenerative changes in the knee joint, chronic pain, and functional deterioration. Conclusion : The long-term outcomes of PM are more favorable than those of TM, particularly in terms of preserving knee joint functionality and reducing the risk of osteoarthritis development.