Discoid Meniscus

Discoid Meniscus

Article
Bone, Muscle, & Joint
Diseases & Conditions
Contributed byMaulik P. Purohit MD MPHJan 15, 2021

What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

  • Discoid Lateral Menisci

What is Discoid Meniscus? (Definition/Background Information)

  • A Discoid Meniscus is a congenital defect of the meniscus (present in the knee). This condition is caused by a defect that causes the meniscus to be shaped like an oval instead of a c-shape. Healthy menisci are shaped like c-shaped moons
  • The signs and symptoms may include pain and stiffness in the knee, and difficulty straightening the knee, if there is an injury to the knee. If a physician suspects or determines that a Discoid Meniscus is the cause of the symptoms, then the meniscus may be continually monitored
  • Asymptomatic conditions may be left untreated. In other cases, surgery is the best method to treat a Discoid Meniscus. However, since a Discoid Meniscus is a congenital defect, surgery may not completely reshape the abnormality
  • Furthermore, the abnormal tissue in the knee may be more vulnerable to injuries in the future, and additional surgery may be required. The prognosis is generally good with appropriate treatment though

Discoid Meniscus is classified into three different types:

  • Incomplete Discoid Meniscus: The meniscus is slightly wider and thicker than a normal meniscus
  • Complete Discoid Meniscus: The meniscus is considerably thicker than a normal meniscus and completely covers the tibia (or the shin bone)
  • Wrisberg-Ligament Meniscus: This type of Discoid Meniscus refers to the absence of the meniscofemoral ligament, which attaches the meniscus to the tibia

Who gets Discoid Meniscus? (Age and Sex Distribution)

  • Discoid Meniscus has a congenital onset; it occurs at birth in both boys and girls of all races and ethnic groups
  • However, this condition is more prevalent among certain populations in Asian countries

What are the Risk Factors for Discoid Meniscus? (Predisposing Factors)

  • Currently, there are no known risk factors for the development of Discoid Meniscus
  • However, studies have indicated that Discoid Meniscus may have a genetic component 

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one's chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Discoid Meniscus? (Etiology)

  • The underlying cause of Discoid Meniscus is unknown. Some researchers believe that this congenital abnormally may develop during childhood due to an irregular ligament attachment
  • Typically, each knee consists of two menisci. The healthy menisci are in the shape of a crescent (c-shape moon), while in individuals with Discoid Meniscus, it takes the shape of an oval
  • Discoid Meniscus is a congenital condition that is frequently bilateral (affecting both the knees). The condition has been reported in 50% of twins

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Discoid Meniscus?

Many times, individuals with Discoid Meniscus are asymptomatic, meaning they do not show any signs and symptoms or, are unaware of the condition. However, an injury to a Discoid Meniscus may produce the following signs and symptoms:

  • A noticeable popping sensation at the time of the injury
  • Difficulty straightening the knee
  • Swelling or stiffness of the knee joint
  • Pain in the knee joint while walking
  • Instability of the knee joint

How is Discoid Meniscus Diagnosed?

Discoid Meniscus may be diagnosed using the following methods:

  • Physical examination: Before the physical examination, a physician will discuss with the child their medical history and the circumstances that led to the development of symptoms. When testing for Discoid Meniscus, the physician will examine the knee joint and ask the child to hold the knee/leg in different positions that cause pain such as walking and squatting
  • X-ray of the knee: Although soft tissue does not show up on x-rays, they can help rule out other causes affecting the knee
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee: An MRI is a more detailed scan that uses a magnetic field to produce images, which allows a physician to view any damage to the bones and soft tissue to confirm the diagnosis

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Discoid Meniscus?

Complications of Discoid Meniscus can include:

  • Meniscus tear
  • The onset of degenerative joint disease such as osteoarthritis
  • Chronic knee instability
  • Inability to move the knee
  • Prolonged and chronic pain

How is Discoid Meniscus Treated?

Since many individuals with Discoid Meniscus are asymptomatic, treatment may not be required. However, nonsurgical treatment is recommended if an individual is experiencing minimal pain. These may include:

  • Rest: Any activity that aggravates the knee condition should be avoided. The physician usually advises individuals to refrain from activities until the symptoms stop
  • Complete immobilization of the knee
  • Physical therapy exercises for the quadriceps

If the Discoid Meniscus is causing severe pain along with other symptoms, surgery is usually recommended to treat the condition. The surgical treatments may include:

  • Knee arthroscopy: Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to visualize, diagnose, and repair the knee joint using small instruments. During this procedure, a surgeon inserts a thin tube attached to a camera (a fibro-optic camera) into the joint, via a small incision in the skin of the joint. Visualizing the joint via a camera helps the healthcare provider arrive at the cause of the injury and treat the same too
  • Partial meniscectomy: Partial meniscectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of part of the meniscus in the knee

The treatment for Discoid Meniscus also depends on the type of the condition:

Saucerization of the knee:

  • For complete and incomplete Discoid Meniscus with no tearing, it is usually treated with saucerization, which is a surgical procedure that cuts tissue away from the knee and reshapes the meniscus back to normal
  • Saucerization may also be performed if the Discoid Meniscus is torn, by cutting away part of the torn meniscus
  • If Wrisberg-Ligament Meniscus type of Discoid Meniscus occurs, saucerization may be performed and then stabilized with suturing, to stitch the meniscus to the lining of the joint

How can Discoid Meniscus be Prevented?

Currently, there are no known preventive measures for Discoid Meniscus. However, maintaining strength and mobility in the knee may reduce the chance of injuring the knee and worsening the condition.

What is the Prognosis of Discoid Meniscus? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

  • Some injuries to the meniscus heal spontaneously. However, some injuries do not heal, but may not produce any symptoms
  • Generally, if the Discoid Meniscus is causing severe pain along with other symptoms, surgery is recommended. The recovery time after surgery is approximately six weeks

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Discoid Meniscus:

  • Largely, it is difficult to estimate the total occurrence of Discoid Meniscus due to the high number of individuals who do not show any symptoms. However, it is reported that between 3 to 5% of the individuals may have Discoid Meniscus
  • Though approximately 20% of the cases are Bilateral Lateral Discoid Meniscus; it is a rare condition
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Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH picture
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Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH

Assistant Medical Director, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

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