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Meniscal tears and discoid meniscus in children: diagnosis and treatment
Dennis E Kramer1, Lyle J Micheli
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Insights
Pediatric traumatic meniscal tears are increasing, but children
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Increasing incidence of traumatic meniscal tears in children.
- Rise linked to increased sports participation and improved diagnostics.
- Children's menisci possess greater healing potential due to vascularity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the incidence, diagnosis, and management of traumatic meniscal tears in pediatric patients.
- To discuss treatment options for meniscal tears in children, considering knee size.
- To evaluate the efficacy of saucerization and repair for discoid lateral meniscus in children.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on pediatric meniscal tears.
- Analysis of diagnostic modalities and treatment strategies.
- Evaluation of surgical techniques, including saucerization and repair.
Main Results:
- Pediatric meniscal tears are increasingly diagnosed and amenable to repair.
- Excellent clinical outcomes reported for meniscal repair in children.
- Saucerization and repair show promising early to midterm results for symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus.
Conclusions:
- Traumatic meniscal tears in children are a growing concern.
- Meniscal repair in pediatric patients yields favorable results.
- Saucerization and repair is an effective treatment for symptomatic discoid lateral meniscus in children.
Abstract:
The incidence of traumatic meniscal tears in children is on the rise, likely because of increased sports participation and more accurate diagnostic modalities. The increased vascularity of the developing meniscus is believed to enable greater healing potential. Meniscal tears in children are often amenable to repair, and excellent clinical results have been reported. Knee size must be considered when determining the optimal method of repair. Discoid menisci represent a spectrum of morphologic abnormalities and instability of the lateral meniscus. Highly unstable variants often present with the classic "snapping knee syndrome," whereas stable variants may remain asymptomatic until a tear develops. Asymptomatic discoid menisci should be observed, whereas symptomatic discoid menisci are best treated with saucerization and repair. Early to midterm reports on saucerization and repair of discoid lateral meniscus in children are promising.
