Help! I can't find any info on discoid lateral meniscus.

by Roxanne
(Yeadon, PA)

What is a discoid lateral meniscus? What is the treatment? Is it similar to PFS?

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Help! I can't find any info on discoid lateral meniscus.

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Nov 03, 2009
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Discoid Meniscus
by: Bart - SII

A discoid meniscus is an anatomic variation of the normal shape of the meniscus, most often occurring in the lateral meniscus.

Normal meniscus is a flat, c-shaped fibrocartilage ring that cushions the articular surfaces between the femur and the tibia. In the discoid variation, the meniscus takes on the shape of a "disc", and has more coverage of the tibial plateau. They can be classified as complete or incomplete, depending on how much coverage of the tibia there is. In essence, instead of being the normal "C" shape, it is actually more of an "O". There is also less taper from the out edge to the center of the joint.

These variations can cause problems with knee locking and restricted range of motion, and sometimes pain. Treatment is usually conservative if you are asymptomatic and not experiencing locking or significant pain. Stretching, strengthening, and neuromuscular control exercises can help improve function in some.

If symptomatic, surgical intervention with a meniscectomy is the treatment choice most often considered. In this arthroscopic procedure, the physician removes the injured portions of the meniscus, and attempts to trim away the areas covering the tibial plateau to allow for a more normal shape and function.

Discoid meniscus may present with patella femoral type pain, but it is not really related.

Bart

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Nov 03, 2009
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Submitted by: Bart - SII

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A discoid meniscus is an anatomic variation of the normal shape of the meniscus, most often occurring in the lateral meniscus. Normal meniscus is a flat, c-shaped fibrocartilage ring that cushions the articular surfaces between the femur and the tibia. In the discoid variation, the meniscus takes on the shape of a "disc", and has more coverage of the tibial plateau. They can be classified as complete or incomplete, depending on how much coverage of the tibia there is. In essence, instead of being the normal "C" shape, it is actually more of an "O". There is also less taper from the out edge to the center of the joint. These variations can cause problems with knee locking and restricted range of motion, and sometimes pain. Treatment is usually conservative if you are asymptomatic and not experiencing locking or significant pain. Stretching, strengthening, and neuromuscular control exercises can help improve function in some. If symptomatic, surgical intervention with a meniscectomy is the treatment choice most often considered. In this arthroscopic procedure, the physician removes the injured portions of the meniscus, and attempts to trim away the areas covering the tibial plateau to allow for a more normal shape and function. Discoid meniscus may present with patella femoral type pain, but it is not really related. Bart

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