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Discoid Meniscus, Sports Medicine

Melissa Nayak, MD, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Menisci are semilunar fibrocartilaginous structures located between the femoral condyles and tibial plateaus:

    • Medial meniscus is U shaped.

    • Lateral meniscus is C shaped.

  • Discoid meniscus...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Patients may be asymptomatic.

  • Signs and symptoms (in absence of trauma):

    • Pain

    • Clunking

    • Giving way

    • Popping

    • Snapping

    • Swelling

    • Locking

    • Decreased knee extension

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Palpable click near com...

TREATMENT

No treatment or surgical indications for asymptomatic patients 1,2,3[C

ISSUES FOR REFERRAL

Orthopedic surgical consultation is indicated in patients still symptomatic after conservative meas...

ONGOING CARE

Postoperative physical therapy for knee range of motion, quadriceps strengthening, hamstring stretching, and gait training 

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • Asymptomatic discoid meniscus needs no treatmen...

REFERENCES

1
Francavilla ML, Restrepo R, Zamora KW, et al. Meniscal pathology in children: differences and similarities with the adult meniscus. Pediatr Radiol.  2014;44(8):910–929.
2
Kim JG, Han SW...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Isolated atraumatic lateral meniscal tear in a child <10 yr of age should raise suspicion of a discoid meniscus.

  • Horizontal tear is the most common tear pattern associated with a dis...

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