Discoid Meniscus
What is a Discoid Meniscus?
Discoid meniscus is a rare human anatomic variant that usually affects the lateral meniscus of the knee. Usually a person with this anomaly has no complaints; however, it may present as pain, swelling, or a snapping sound heard from the affected knee.
A discoid meniscus is larger than usual. Discoid meniscus is also referred to as “popping knee syndrome.”
Signs and Symptoms
Patients can experience symptoms such as:
- Knee pain
- Clicking, snapping, mechanical locking – often become symptomatic in adolescence
Imaging
Radiographs can show:
- Widening of the lateral joint space due to widened cartilage space
- Squaring of lateral condyle with cupping of lateral tibial plateau
- Further imaging is necessary via MRI for suspected symptomatic meniscal pathology
Treatment
Conservative:
- Continual observation of the knee can occur as long as the patient is symptom free and the meniscus has no tears or damage
Surgical intervention is indicated when:
- Pain and mechanical symptoms in the knee
- Meniscal tear or meniscal detachment
- Prophylactic surgical intervention is an option to
prevent complex tearing with trauma
