Discoid lateral meniscus: diagnosis and results of arthroscopic treatment

Abstract

We evaluated the results of arthroscopic meniscectomy in patients with discoid lateral menisci of the knee. Discoid lateral menisci were detected in 308 patients, of whom 197 (124 males, 73 females; mean age 34.5 years, range 6-67) were clinically, radiologically, and arthroscopically found to be symptomatic and underwent partial meniscectomy. The average period between injury and operation was 13.2 months (range 6-52). The results were evaluated according to the Ikeuchi and Lysholm criteria. The mean follow-up was 57.8 months (range 24-138). The most common complaints were pain (66%) and joint line tenderness (61%). Widening of lateral joint space was the most common radiological finding (25%). The confirmation of diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging was not congruent with arthroscopic results for some patients (31%). According to the Ikeuchi criteria, the results were excellent in 110 patients (56%), good in 53 (27%), fair in 26 (13%), and poor in 8 (4%). On the other hand, according to the Lysholm scale, the results were excellent in 119 patients (60%), good in 57 patients (29%), fair in 16 (8%), and poor in five (3%) patients. Clinical and radiological findings were not congruent with arthroscopic results for all patients. Therefore arthroscopic evaluation has more value for discoid lateral meniscus. Moreover, tear pattern and degenerative changes in lateral compartment may effect outcomes without relation to the type of surgery. We concluded that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy should be the preferred method for the surgical treatment for discoid lateral menisci, due to it's minimal traumatic effects, possibilities of early mobilization, a lower complication rate, and easy and short rehabilitation period.

Prognostic factors affecting the outcome of arthroscopic saucerization in discoid lateral meniscus: a retrospective analysis of 48 cases

“…Ahn et al [4] analyzed the factors associated with the severity of the marginal osteophyte formation on the conventional radiography using multivariate analysis, and they failed to prove this relationship. Similarly, Asik et al Bold p values with (*) represent significant correlation Musculoskelet Surg [14] compared the clinical results of patients who underwent arthroscopic saucerization before and after 12 months of presentation and again failed to show a significant difference. In our study, we divided patients into three groups (before 6 months, between 6 and 12 months and longer than 12 months) and compared the final clinical outcomes.…”

“…However, controversial findings have also been reported by other authors. Asik et al [14] compared the clinical results between patients who are younger than 15 and above (age range 6-67 years) and could not find a significant difference among young and old patients. Habata et al [17] divided their study population into three groups according to the age at surgery: group A, \20 years; group B, 20-39 years; group C,[39 years.…”

“…Similarly, Papadopoulos et al [3] reported that intact DLM cases showed better clinical results compared to torn DLM in their series. Asik et al [14] compared the clinical outcomes according to the tear type and found reduced satisfactory outcomes in patients with complex meniscal tears. In contrast to these previous findings, we could not detect any significant difference between intact and torn DLM cases; moreover, the type of DLM did not have an impact on clinical results in our study.…”

“…Previously, several authors investigated the outcomes of arthroscopic saucerization and reported promising results with few complications [3,4,6,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. However, prognostic factors affecting the final outcomes are not well studied in relevant literature.…”

Chondral Delamination Injury Over Tibial Plateau Mimicking a Torn Lateral Discoid Meniscus

“…In some studies, however, the average age of individuals presenting with torn lateral discoid meniscus was over 30 years. [8][9][10] Additionally, symptoms of delamination injury include pain and locking; physical examination may show joint line tenderness, joint effusion, or crepitus. 3 These findings mimic the symptoms of a torn meniscus.…”