The formation of meniscal cysts is usually related to meniscal tears. Several authors have reported surgical treatments for meniscal cysts, such as arthroscopic decompression, partial menisectomy, and open cystectomy. However, there have been no previous reports of treatment for meniscal cyst accompanied by meniscal flap tear in a young athlete.
We report a case of lateral meniscal cyst arising from the middle segment of a flap-torn meniscus in a 19-year-old football player. The patient experienced pain and local swelling lateral to the left knee. MR images showed a radial tear of the lateral meniscus and a small lesion resembling a lateral meniscal cyst. Non-operative treatment was performed for 4 months, but the knee pain and local swelling persisted. In addition, MR images suggested expansion of the meniscal tear and cyst. Arthroscopic meniscal suturing was therefore carried out using both the inside-out and all-inside techniques for repair of the flap tear and reduction of the meniscal cyst. The FasT-Fix meniscal repair system (Smith and Nephew) was used for stabilizing the radial tear with a horizontal mattress suture. The Lysholm knee scores were 64 preoperatively and 94 at the 4-month follow-up point after surgery.
