Value of bandaging after excision of a meniscus of the knee joint.

Thirty patients with meniscus tears, not complicated by any other disease of the knee joint, were divided into two groups, the purpose being to find out whether postoperative bandaging had any effect on postoperative recovery. One group was not bandaged, while in the other group a padded layer bandage was applied. This was removed one day after the operation. The operative technique and the postoperative treatment were the same in both groups. The clinical state was assessed preoperatively, three days, seven days and five weeks postoperatively. There were no significant differences between the groups in the range of knee movements, ability to elevate the straight leg, circumference of the knee, the thigh or the ankle, or in the duration of sick-leaves. Bandaging did not promote recovery after excision of a meniscus of the knee in this regime of treatment.