Knee conditions
Discoid Meniscus
A meniscus that formed in a disc shape rather than a C — and when it needs treating.
The menisci are two C-shaped pads of cartilage that cushion the knee. Some children are born with one that formed as a thicker disc instead — a discoid meniscus. It is usually on the outer side of the knee, and a child can have one without ever knowing.
When a discoid meniscus causes trouble
Because it is thicker and shaped differently, a discoid meniscus is more prone to tearing, and it can catch as the knee bends and straightens. Parents often describe clunking, locking, swelling, or a knee that will not fully straighten.
Many need no treatment at all. Where it is causing symptoms, the aim is to reshape it and keep as much healthy meniscus as possible rather than remove it.
How Dr. Green decides between surgery and non-surgical treatmentHow Dr. Green treats a discoid meniscus
- SaucerizationReshaping the discoid meniscus towards a normal C shape, preserving healthy tissue.
- Meniscal repairRepairing the meniscus where the tissue allows it, performed alongside saucerization.
Dr. Green's published research on the discoid meniscus
Of the papers indexed on PubMed under Dr. Green’s Hospital for Special Surgery affiliation, 7 are on this subject.
See the full publication recordThe papers themselves
His 7 papers on this subject, indexed on PubMed under his Hospital for Special Surgery affiliation. Each opens on PubMed.
- Risk Factors for Complication and Reoperation in the Treatment of Discoid Lateral Meniscus in Children and Adolescents: A Multicenter Study Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine · 2026 Feb · Dr. Green is author 15 of 36
- Surgical management of the discoid meniscus The Knee · 2025 Dec · Dr. Green is author 5 of 6
- Characteristics and Outcomes of Operatively Treated Discoid Lateral Meniscus in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients: A Multicenter Study The American journal of sports medicine · 2024 Sep · Dr. Green is author 11 of 17
- Relationship Between Age and Pathology With Treatment of Pediatric and Adolescent Discoid Lateral Meniscus: A Report From the SCORE Multicenter Database The American journal of sports medicine · 2023 Nov · Dr. Green is author 23 of 38
- Decline in clinical scores at long-term follow-up of arthroscopically treated discoid lateral meniscus in children Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA · 2018 Oct · Dr. Green is author 5 of 5
- Arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic discoid meniscus in children: classification, technique, and results Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association · 2007 Feb · Dr. Green is author 2 of 6
- Discoid lateral meniscus in children Current opinion in pediatrics · 2002 Feb · Dr. Green is author 2 of 2
Patients Dr. Green has treated for this condition
All 31 patient stories
Questions parents ask
Can a discoid meniscus be left alone?
Often, yes — many cause no symptoms at all and are found incidentally. Treatment is considered when it is catching, locking, swelling or painful.
Why reshape it instead of removing it?
The meniscus cushions and protects the joint surface, so the intent is to preserve as much healthy meniscus as possible.