Isokinetic evaluation of the knee after arthroscopic meniscectomy: comparison between anterolateral and central approaches.

Twenty patients had undergone arthroscopic meniscectomy for medial bucket-handle meniscal tears. Half had undergone meniscectomy with central approach, and half had been treated by anterolateral technique. Isokinetic evaluation, with a Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer, was done preoperatively and at 14 and 28 days postoperatively. Two weeks after operation, there was only a slight and insignificant decrease of quadriceps function with the central approach as compared with the anterolateral. However, at 4 weeks, no differences were shown between the two portals. The flexor muscles generally recovered more rapidly with the central technique.