Discoid Meniscus: Everything You Need to Know

Do you know what a discoid meniscus is? If not, don’t worry – you are not alone. A discoid meniscus is a type of meniscus that is less common than the other two types. In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about discoid meniscuses. We will cover what they are, how they are treated, and whether or not they can cause problems. Keep reading to learn more!

What Is Discoid meniscus?

The discoid meniscus is a type of cartilage that is shaped like a disc. It is found in the knee joint and helps to cushion and protect the bones. It is a common cause of knee pain in children and young adults.

Types of the discoid meniscus:

There are two types of discoid meniscus: Complete and incomplete

• Complete discoid meniscus: This type of discoid meniscus is attached to the knee joint by a small strip of tissue. It does not move and can cause pain and swelling.
• Incomplete discoid meniscus: This type of discoid meniscus is not attached to the knee joint. It is mobile and can cause pain and swelling.

What Causes Discoid Meniscus?

The exact cause of discoid meniscus is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

• Genetic factors: Discoid meniscus is more common in certain ethnic groups, such as Asians and Native Americans. This suggests that there may be a genetic component to the condition.
• Environmental factors: It is also thought that injuries or trauma to the knee during childhood may play a role in the development of discoid meniscus.
• Congenital condition: It is a congenital condition, which means that it is present at birth. The condition is thought to be caused by a defect in the development of the cartilage in the knee. In some cases, the discoid meniscus may be associated with other congenital conditions, such as cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.

Thus, these are the causes that have been associated with the discoid meniscus.

What Are the Symptoms of Discoid Meniscus?

The symptoms of discoid meniscus depend on the severity of the condition. In some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. In other cases, the following symptoms may be present:

• Pain in the knee, which may be worse with activity
• Swelling in the knee
• Locking or catching sensation in the knee
• Clicking sound in the knee
• Difficulty straightening the knee fully

These are the most common symptoms associated with the discoid meniscus. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for an evaluation.

How Is Discoid Meniscus Diagnosed?

There are various diagnoses of the discoid meniscus. They are:

• X-ray: An X-ray can show if the meniscus is in the normal position or if it is displaced.
• MRI: An MRI can provide more detailed imaging of the meniscus and surrounding structures.
• CT scan: A CT scan can also provide more detailed imaging of the meniscus and surrounding structures.
• Physical examination:
• Arthroscopy: This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows the doctor to directly visualize the meniscus.

What Are the Treatment Options for Discoid Meniscus?

The treatment options will depend on the severity of the condition. Treatment options may include:

Physical therapy

A physical therapist can help you strengthen the muscles around your knee joint and improve your flexibility. This can help take the pressure off of your meniscus and reduce pain. It includes:

• Exercises that focus on strengthening the muscles around the knee
• Stretching exercises to improve range of motion
• Balance and coordination exercises

Functional training

Functional training is a type of exercise that helps you to improve your daily function and movement. The goal of functional training is to help you move better in your everyday life.

Discoid meniscus is a type of knee injury that can cause pain and difficulty with movement. The goal of functional training is to help you move better and reduce your risk of further injury.

Functional training exercises can help to improve your balance, flexibility, and strength.

Strength training

A well-rounded strength training program that includes exercises for the legs, hips, and core can help to prevent discoid meniscus tears. Strengthening the muscles around the knee joint can help to take some of the stress off of the meniscus. Doing exercises that improve the range of motion and flexibility in the knee joint can also help to prevent discoid meniscus tears. Improving range of motion and flexibility can help to make the knee joint less likely to be injured.

or too small can put extra stress on the knee joint and lead to injury. Shoes that don’t provide enough support can also lead to injury.

Pain medication

Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help relieve pain and inflammation. Your doctor may also prescribe stronger medication if needed.

Steroid injections

A steroid injection can help reduce swelling and pain around the knee joint. For example, if you have a Baker’s cyst, your doctor may recommend a steroid injection to help relieve your symptoms.

Surgery

Arthroscopic surgery: This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can be used to treat several problems within the knee joint, including a discoid meniscus. During the surgery, your surgeon will make a small incision in your skin and insert a thin, flexible camera called an arthroscope. This will allow your surgeon to see the inside of your knee joint and make any necessary repairs.

Open surgery: In some cases, open surgery may be necessary to treat a discoid meniscus. This type of surgery requires a larger incision in your skin and a longer recovery time than arthroscopic surgery.

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the condition. Surgery may involve:

• Trimming or removing the discoid meniscus
• Repairing the discoid meniscus
• Reconstructing the knee joint

In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. Surgery is typically only recommended for severe cases that do not respond to other treatment options.

Recovery

After any type of surgery, you will need to rest and allow your knee to heal. This may involve using crutches or a knee brace. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for your knee following surgery.

What Is the Recovery Time for Discoid Meniscus Surgery?

Recovery time for surgery will vary depending on the extent of the surgery. For example, a simple procedure to trim or remove. It may have a shorter recovery time than a more complex surgery to repair or reconstruct the knee joint.

Generally, it takes about 6-8 weeks to recover from this surgery. However, it may take longer to regain full strength and range of motion in the knee joint. Physical therapy may be necessary to help with the recovery process.

Discoid meniscus surgery is a relatively safe and effective procedure. Complications are rare but can include infection, blood clots, and nerve or blood vessel damage.

What Is the Long-Term Outlook for People with Discoid Meniscus?

The long-term outlook for people with this disorder is generally good. Most people experience a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in knee function after surgery. Physical therapy can help to improve the range of motion and flexibility in the knee joint. In some cases, the discoid meniscus may grow back after surgery. This is more likely to occur in children and adolescents.

People with this disorder who do not have surgery may be at a higher risk for developing arthritis in the knee joint. Regular exercise, weight control, and avoiding high-impact activities can help to reduce the risk of arthritis.

Prevention

There is no sure way to prevent it. However, some things can be done to reduce the risk of developing the condition or of having a tear. These include:

Maintaining a healthy weight

Extra weight puts extra stress on the knee joint and can lead to injury. For instance, every pound of extra weight is equivalent to 3 3–55 pounds of stress on the knee joint.

Wearing supportive shoes

Shoes that fit well and provide good support can help to prevent injuries. For example, if you have this disorder, you may be more likely to injure your knee if you wear shoes that don’t provide enough support.

Wearing a knee brace

A knee brace can help to stabilize your knee and prevent further injury. For example, if you have a discoid meniscus, you may be more likely to injure your knee if you don’t wear a knee brace.

Resting your knee

Avoid activities that put stress on your knee, such as running, jumping, or playing tennis. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you wear a knee brace to help support your knee.

Ice

Apply ice to your knee for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. This will help reduce swelling and pain. For example, you could ice your knee for 20 minutes in the morning, at lunchtime, and in the evening.

Compression and elevation

Use a compression bandage to help reduce swelling. You can buy these bandages at most pharmacies. Raise your leg above the level of your heart as much as possible. This will help reduce swelling.

Avoiding high-impact activities

Activities that put extra stress on the knee joint, such as running, should be avoided. If these activities cannot be avoided, it is important to warm up properly and take breaks as needed. Thus, these are preventive measures that can help reduce the risk of developing this disorder.

Conclusion

It may be concluded that a discoid meniscus is that is shaped like a disc. This condition is relatively rare, occurring in about 1% of the population. While it is often asymptomatic, some people may experience knee pain and instability due to the abnormal shape of the discoid meniscus. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem.

Physical Therapy help patients recover from pain. If you’re experiencing Back pain, Shoulder pain, Knee pain, Neck pain, Elbow pain, Hip pain, or Arthritis pain, a physical therapist at MantraCare can help: Book a physiotherapy session.