Discoid Meniscus
Meniscal tears are among the most common injuries to the knee joint. They can occur at any age and in any person, but they are most common in athletes playing contact sports. The meniscus is a small piece of cartilage located deep within the knee joint. Each knee contains two menisci: the medial meniscus on the inner part of the knee and the lateral meniscus on the outer part of the knee. The medial and lateral menisci act as cushions between the femur (thighbone) and the tibia (shinbone). Injuries to the menisci are generally tears. Tears are more common in the medial meniscus than in the lateral meniscus.
A discoid meniscus is an abnormally formed meniscus. It is thicker than a normal meniscus, and it is also shaped like a half or full circle, instead of the normal crescent moon (like the letter C ) shape. If you have a discoid meniscus, you are most likely to have just one, located on the outside of one knee (replacing a normal lateral meniscus). However, some people have more than one discoid meniscus, either in one or both knees.
Because of its abnormal shape, a discoid meniscus is more prone to injury than a normal meniscus. It is more likely to tear or to move out of position within the joint, which hinders normal knee movement. Some people with a discoid meniscus are also born without the ligament that attaches the meniscus to the tibia (shinbone). They are particularly likely to develop a meniscal injury.
Here at YourOrthoSolution, we have some of the top orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians in the country. We are dedicated to getting you back to the things you love through a customized plan that fits only you. Our caring team always goes that extra step to make you feel like part of our family. We have extensive experience specializing in treating a discoid meniscus and want to help you start the healing process as quickly as possible to get you on the path to recovery.
Cause
A discoid meniscus is a congenital abnormality, which means that a person is born with it. It is not known why some people have a discoid meniscus and others do not.
Tears of the meniscus, regardless of whether the meniscus is normal or discoid, are usually caused by a twisting motion to the knee. They often occur during sporting activities and may be accompanied by an ACL tear.
Symptoms
A discoid meniscus may not produce any symptoms. However, many individuals will develop knee symptoms, even in the absence of a tear. These symptoms often begin in childhood. They include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Popping or locking
- Feeling of the knee “giving way”
- Inability to fully extend knee
Treatment
If a discoid meniscus is causing no symptoms, it generally requires no treatment.
If the discoid meniscus is causing pain or other symptoms, surgery is typically the best option. The exact type of surgery will depend on the condition of the meniscus, but it will often include a procedure called saucerization. During saucerization, the meniscus is cut and reshaped into a crescent.
Surgery for discoid meniscus is generally performed via minimally invasive arthroscopy. YourOrthoSolution is always keeping you, the patient, in mind and looking for the least-invasive way to repair all injuries. The smaller the incision, the less trauma to the muscle and other tissues. This produces less bleeding and scarring and leads to a quicker recovery.
During arthroscopic surgery, a small camera (an arthroscope) is inserted into the knee joint through a very small incision. The camera displays images on a high-definition screen, allowing your surgeon to have a detailed view of the joint while he or she uses miniature surgical instruments to perform the surgery.
This type of surgery can be easily done on an outpatient basis in a surgery center setting. There are many advantages to surgery centers, including better outcomes, lower infection rates, no overnight stay, lower costs, and the convenience that comes with a smaller, yet highly skilled, staff. As with all our procedures, the goal is to get you back to full strength and doing the activities you want to do. Our highly trained specialists will take into account several factors and create a customized treatment plan for you and your needs.
At YourOrthoSolution, all of our doctors and staff are dedicated to ensuring that you not only receive the best orthopedic care in the area but also have an exceptional experience each time you visit our locations. Our dedicated staff will handle all insurance processes for you. You can expect to be in a friendly atmosphere and receive top orthopedic treatment to help you return to full mobility as quickly as possible.
