Orthopaedic Surgery

Answer 3 No treatment. An asymptomatic discoid meniscus should be left alone. Partial meniscectomy, or saucerization, should be reserved for discoid menisci with central tears. Total meniscectomy should be avoided because of the known association with the development of arthritis, especially in the lateral compartment. Meniscal repair is appropriate for discoid menisci that are overly mobile because of deficient coronary ligaments (the so-called Wrisberg variant). Discoid menisci can cover the entire surface (complete) or simply more of the surface of the lateral tibial plateau than normal (incomplete). In either case, surgeons should resist the temptation of removing asymptomatic menisci without tears. Click here to return to the questions

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