Year: 2010
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Lateral discoid meniscus is a cause of snapping, locking and pain in the knees of children and adolescents.Traditional treatment for symptomatic discoid meniscus is excision (partial or total); the consequences of which are early onset degenerative changes. 1 Meniscopexy has been developed to conserve meniscal tissue rather than excise a symptomatic discoid meniscus. TECHNIQUEAn arthroscopic assessment of the knee is used to confirm that the lateral discoid meniscus is intact.If intact, a small arthrotomy is made lateral to the patella tendon.The anterior horn of the meniscus is identified and detached.Sutures are passed through the anterior horn of the meniscus and it is pulled forward under tension.Image intensifier control is employed to avoid the physis and allow the exposure of the epiphyseal bone.A linear bed is prepared for the anterior rim of the meniscus with two or three bone anchors.The meniscus is drawn onto the bony bed and sutured in place (Fig. 1 see next page). DISCUSSIONDrawing forward the anterior margin of the lateral meniscus removes excess discoid tissue from beneath the lateral femoral condyle and, therefore, removes the cause of clicking/locking.As no tissue is resected, a cushion of meniscus remains at the peripheral tibial plateau to protect the articular surfaces.We have successfully performed this technique in four patients to date.
Authors: RE Gilbert, PD Gallacher, AP Roberts
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W30174130