Arthroscopic Treatment of Symptomatic Discoid Lateral meniscus Without Tear

ABSTRACT

While there is little controversy about the surgical resection for the torn discoid lateral meniscus, there are some contradictory reports for the treatment of discoid lateral meniscus without tear. Some authors argue that initial treatment should be observation after diagnostic arthroscopy in the cases without tear. Others reported that excellent results were obtained after partial resection of the discoid lateral meniscus without tear or with slight degeneration. We reviewed our series of symptomatic discoid lateral menisci without tear, confirmed by arthroscopic examination. We retrospectively reviewed 8 knees in 8 patients who had had partia! Meniscectomy for discoid latera1 meniscus without tear, confirmed by arthroscopic examination. They were 5 males and 3 females. The average age was 22.8 years (range, 7 to 57 years). The average duration of follow-up was 2 years and three months. The patients had continuing pain and locking or snapping preoperatively. Preoperative MRI had grade Il intrameniscal signal in all the cases. The patients were evaluated hy Lysholm pain score and total Lysholm score. There were 7 complete types and one incomplete type. The average Lysholm pain score and the total Lysholm score improved from 13.1, 67.8 preoperatively to 28.8. 97.9, at the last follow-up, respectively. Mechanical symptoms including click and 1ocking were disappeared in all, and no complication was obser ved. We suggest that symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus should he resected e.ven though there is no tear visible on arthroscopy, especially when the MRl shows grade lI intrameniscal signal.