Treatment of the Snapping Discoid Lateral Meniscus without Tear in Pediatrics: Contouring Surgery and Posterolateral Repair

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of arthroscopic contouring surgery and posterolateral meniscal repair for pediatrics with snapping discoid lateral meniscus without tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine children below 10 years, with snapping discoid lateral meniscus without tear were evaluated in this study. 3 cases had a morphologic deformity of lateral meniscus in MRI and arthroscopic findings, but there was no meniscal tear. Only contouring surgery was performed in 6 cases, and in 3 cases, because of the instability of meniscus over 5mm in traction due to the relaxation of the menisco-capsular junction after contouring surgery, posterolateral repair was performed. The average duration of follow up was 39 months(range, 25 to 72 months). RESULTS: Additional posterolateral repair was done due to remaining snapping, in three cases of six contouring surgery cases. In all cases, snapping was disappeared. The average Lysholm score was improved from 71 in preoperative status to 97 in postoperative status(p=0.008) CONCLUSION: In case of the increased instability of the posterolateral corner of lateral meniscus after contouring surgery in the treatment of snapping discoid lateral meniscus, posterolateral repair is effective to improve the snapping symptom from meniscal subluxation.