The present prospective multicenter study sought to analyze immediate and short-term (6 months) course following lateral meniscus lesion surgery.

Between 2007 and 2008, 104 lateral meniscus lesions on stable knee were recruited prospectively in 10 centers. Lesion type and topography were recorded and patients were assessed by Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and subjective and objective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, preoperatively and at 6 months’ FU. Mean age was 37 years, with a large preponderance of male patients.

Lesion topography, type and management were inventoried for all patients (n=104). A majority of lesions were located in the mid-body segment. Conservative treatment (meniscal suture) was applied in a third of cases. Fifty-six patients (54%) could be analyzed at end of FU on the various assessment scores. At 6 months, patients had recovered their preoperative activity level on IKDC. Twenty-two percent, however, experienced persistent pain or reduced range of motion and 12% of postoperative courses were considered difficult.

Lateral and medial meniscal lesions differ in topography, the latter occurring less often in the anterior segment. Only 30% of patients were able to resume light physical activity on the IKDC scale at 1 month: 6 months appear to be necessary for patients operated on for a lateral meniscal lesion to recover their preoperative level of activity.