Functional Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using the Lysholm Knee Score
Alexander Western1*, Derrick Lousaing1*, Shane Lee Loy1*
1Fracture and Orthopaedic Clinic Limited, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
*Corresponding Authors: Dr. Alexander Western, Dr. Derrick Lousaing, Dr. Shane Lee Loy, Fracture and Orthopaedic Clinic Limited, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAOR.2026.06.027
Received: August 26, 2026
Published: September 23, 2026
Citation: Western A, Lousaing D, Lee Loy S. Functional Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using the Lysholm Knee Score. SVOA Orthopaedics 2026, 6:5, 202-209. doi: 10.58624/SVOAOR.2026.06.027
Abstract
Background: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy remains a commonly performed procedure for symptomatic meniscal tears. Patient-reported outcome measures such as the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale provide useful insight into postoperative functional recovery.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated functional outcomes following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy performed at a single orthopaedic practice. Fifty-five patients meeting inclusion criteria were identified from operative records and contacted retrospectively. Participants completed the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale based on recall of symptoms immediately prior to surgery and at one year postoperatively. Demographic information was obtained from clinical records. Pre-operative and post-operative scores were compared using paired-samples t-testing and Wilcoxon signed-rank testing.
Results: Fifty-five patients were included (29 males, 26 females), with a mean age of 49.7 +/- 13.7 years. Mean Lysholm scores improved from 61.6 +/- 15.5 pre-operatively to 83.5 +/- 15.5 post-operatively. Mean improvement was 21.9 points (95% CI 17.3-26.6). Paired-samples t-testing demonstrated significant improvement (t(54)=9.45, p<0.001), confirmed by Wilcoxon signed-rank testing (W=52.5, p<0.001). The paired-samples effect size was large (Cohen's dz =1.27). Forty-six patients (83.6%) achieved the pre specified MCID threshold of at least 10 points.
Conclusion: Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy was associated with significant improvement in patient reported knee function at one year in this single-centre cohort. These findings suggest that the procedure may provide meaningful functional benefit in appropriately selected patients within routine clinical practice. The project also highlighted the importance of prospective collection of validated outcome measures for future patients.
Keywords: Meniscal Tear; Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy; Lysholm Knee Score; Functional Outcome; Knee Arthroscopy