[Plastic, partial meniscectomy for the discoid meniscus in children]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Discoid meniscus is a congenital anomaly where the meniscus has a disc-like shape.
• Symptomatic discoid meniscus in children often presents with pain and mechanical symptoms.
• Surgical intervention is frequently required for symptomatic cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the operative techniques and outcomes of plastic, partial meniscectomy for symptomatic lateral discoid meniscus in children.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of this surgical approach.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 34 cases of symptomatic lateral discoid meniscus in 27 children (under 15 years) treated between 1982 and 1989.
• Arthroscopic recognition followed by plastic, partial meniscectomy, resecting approximately 2/3 of the central discoid meniscus.
• Post-operative evaluation using the JOA Score for Meniscus Injuries and radiological assessment.

Main Results:

• The average follow-up period was 5 years and 4 months.
• The mean JOA Score was 92.9 points, indicating good outcomes.
• 17 of 27 children injured during sports activities returned to their previous activities, with only three exceptions.
• Mild osteoarthritic changes were observed in a few cases post-operatively.

Conclusions:

• Plastic, partial meniscectomy is a viable and effective surgical option for treating symptomatic lateral discoid meniscus in pediatric patients.
• The procedure demonstrates good functional recovery and a low incidence of long-term degenerative changes.
• Preserving the meniscal rim is crucial for favorable outcomes.