Symptomatic torn discoid lateral meniscus in adults

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Discoid lateral meniscus is a congenital anomaly that can lead to knee pain and degeneration in adults.
• Understanding associated degenerative changes is crucial for effective treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document degenerative changes coexisting with symptomatic torn discoid lateral meniscus in adults.
• To identify factors associated with these degenerative changes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 329 knees from 305 adult patients (1997-2008).
• Statistical analysis of associations between meniscus status, imaging findings (radiography, MRI), and arthroscopic results.
• Univariate and multivariate analyses to determine significant predictive factors.

Main Results:

• Marginal osteophytes were observed in 36% and chondral lesions in 27% of patients.
• Univariate analysis showed age, symptom duration, meniscus type, tear type, and MRI classification were associated with degenerative changes.
• Multivariate analysis confirmed tear type and MRI classification as significant predictors of marginal osteophyte and chondral lesion severity.

Conclusions:

• Symptomatic torn discoid lateral meniscus in adults frequently coexists with degenerative changes like osteophytes and chondral lesions.
• The specific type of meniscal tear and its classification on MRI are key factors influencing the severity of associated degeneration.