A discoid meniscus is a rare congenital condition (occurs at birth) usually involving the outer meniscus. This meniscus is more prone to injury due to its increased thickness, but some people may not experience any problems. Once injured, the meniscus does not heal well as it has a poor blood supply. A discoid meniscus may have poor ligamentous attachments increasing its mobility. Injuries are more prevalent among the young population especially during sports involving forceful knee twisting. Symptoms of discoid meniscal injuries include knee pain, popping sensation, stiffness and instability.
Saucerization is usually performed arthroscopically. The method is found to be adequate to perform both discoid meniscal saucerization and meniscal tear repair.
Your surgeon uses an arthroscope which contains a miniature camera, a pump, and instruments such as a punch and shaver to carry out the procedure. During saucerization, your surgeon will:
After saucerization, crutches or a wheelchair is recommended depending on your age. Knee movement is restricted to a certain range for a period of 4-6 weeks.
Based on the level of healing, your surgeon may prescribe physical therapy to restore strength and mobility in the knee. These exercises typically begin 1-2 weeks after the surgery and continue for about 3-6 months.
Saucerization has the following advantages:
Recovery time varies from person to person depending on your age and progress with rehabilitation. Younger patients typically have better results. Recovery usually takes 3 to 6 months with an adequate rehabilitation program.