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How Much Meniscal Translation Is Normal? A Pediatric Physiological Arthroscopic Meniscus Mobility Study
Cassidy M Schultz1, Dane R G Lind1, Amin M Alayleh2
1Scottish Rite for Children, Dallas, TX.
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Pediatric meniscal mobility varies, with the lateral meniscus showing more movement than the medial. Meniscal rim width increases with age, aiding surgeons in saucerization decisions for discoid meniscus.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Knee Arthroscopy
Background:
- Pediatric discoid meniscus often causes peripheral rim instability.
- Saucerization is common, but normal meniscal mobility is unstudied.
- Establishing age-based parameters is crucial for surgical guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine normal age-based arthroscopic meniscal mobility.
- To establish meniscal rim width parameters for pediatric knees.
- To assist surgeons in identifying unstable rims and guiding saucerization.
Main Methods:
- Arthroscopic evaluation of 40 pediatric cadaveric knees (<12 years).
- Probing of anterior, body, and posterior horns of medial and lateral menisci.
- Measurement of meniscal mobility and rim width; statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Medial meniscus horns translated 0-20%; lateral meniscus showed greater mobility.
- Lateral meniscus exhibited more variable mobility across the tibial plateau.
- Meniscal width increased with age; lateral meniscus was wider than medial.
Conclusions:
- Lateral menisci exhibit greater mobility than medial menisci.
- Arthroscopically measured meniscal rim size varies by horn and increases with age.
- These findings aid in determining appropriate saucerization extent.
