What is a discoid meniscus?
A discoid meniscus is a larger and abnormally shaped meniscus in the knee that a person is usually born with.
People with a discoid meniscus are more prone to injury than those with a normal meniscus.
There are 3 types of discoid meniscus, incomplete, complete and hypermobile Wrisberg.
What are the symptoms of a Discoid Meniscus tear?
- Squatting and twisting motions are the typical mechanisms of injury
- Pain, stiffness, swelling, catching, locking and limited range of motion
- These symptoms are more frequent in the young.
How is a Discoid Meniscal tear diagnosed?
To test for a tear of a discoid meniscus, Dr Herald will examine your knee with various tests.
In many cases this will cause a popping or sensation that is audible.
X-rays don’t show soft tissue injuries such as the meniscus.
However, because the meniscus is thick, they may show a widened space on the x-ray between the femur and tibia on the lateral part of the knee.
MRI scans can verify meniscal pathology which may need to be treated with an arthroscopy.
What is the treatment for a Discoid Meniscus tear?
If a discoid meniscal tear is causing locking and pain Dr Herald may recommend an arthroscopy.
Frequently these patients will also have concurrent problems of the knee which may make the discoid meniscal tear worse.
During the procedure, the discoid meniscus is typically treated with saucerization, where the meniscus is reshaped into a crescent shape and the tear removed.
The hypermobile Wrisberg, the rarer form of the injury is stabilised with stitches that sew the meniscus to the joint lining.
After surgery crutches, bracing and bandaging may be required.
Physical exercise will be recommended by Dr Herald.