A meniscus that develops in an abnormal disc shape rather than a crescent, sometimes causing clicking or pain. Symptomatic cases are treated with keyhole surgery.
Audience:
Child
Region:
Knee
Type:
Sometimes Surgical
Recovery:
6-8 weeks
Normally the meniscus — the cushioning cartilage inside the knee — is shaped like a crescent. In some children, one of the menisci develops in a much fuller, disc-like shape instead. This is called a discoid meniscus.
It's a developmental variation rather than an injury. Many people with a discoid meniscus never have any problems and may go through life unaware of it. Others develop symptoms because the abnormal shape doesn't function or move as a normal meniscus would.
The lateral (outer) meniscus is far more commonly affected than the medial. The condition can affect one or both knees.
Symptoms — when they occur — typically include:
Clicking or clunking with knee movement
Pain on the outer side of the knee
Catching or locking
A sense of something snapping when the knee bends or straightens
Sometimes a visible bulge on the outside of the knee with movement
Some discoid menisci stay asymptomatic for years; others present in childhood with a clearly mechanical-sounding knee.
Examination findings — particularly mechanical signs in a child's knee — raise the suspicion. MRI is the imaging of choice and confirms both the discoid shape and any associated tear.
Tears within a discoid meniscus are common because the unusual shape predisposes to abnormal forces. Identifying these is part of planning treatment.
Assessment also considers the broader picture — how much the symptoms are affecting daily life and sport.
Asymptomatic discoid menisci usually need no treatment — they're simply monitored. When symptoms develop, particularly when there's an associated tear, keyhole surgery is often considered to reshape the meniscus and address the tear.
The goal is to preserve as much functional meniscus as possible. The decision and approach depend on the specifics of the case. Nev will work through this with you and your child at your consultation.
Seek a specialist assessment if:
Your child's knee clicks, clunks or catches
There's persistent pain on the outer side of the knee
The knee occasionally locks or won't fully straighten
A discoid meniscus has been mentioned and you want a clear plan
Symptoms are affecting sport or activity
Discoid meniscus is well managed with the right approach. The key decisions are about which cases need treatment and which simply need monitoring — and that's where an experienced assessment matters.
Please use the form below to get in touch with us, or feel free to call or WhatsApp the number provided. We will respond to your enquiry as quickly as possible during our regular working hours.
