Saucerization for discoid meniscus

Knee pain, clicking or a locking sensation in a child or teen can be a sign of a discoid meniscus, a condition present from birth. Novant Health orthopedic and sports medicine specialists offer saucerization for discoid meniscus, a procedure that reshapes the meniscus to relieve symptoms and support healthy knee function. Our care team works closely with families throughout diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

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What is saucerization for discoid meniscus?

A discoid meniscus is a variation in the shape of the meniscus, the cushion of cartilage in the knee, that a person is born with. Instead of the normal crescent shape, the meniscus is thicker and more disc-shaped, which can make it more prone to tearing or catching during movement.

Saucerization is an arthroscopic procedure that trims and reshapes the discoid meniscus into a more typical crescent form. This helps the meniscus fit and move properly within the knee joint. Your child's physician may recommend saucerization when the discoid meniscus is causing symptoms or has torn, or when it's found during evaluation for ongoing knee issues.

Common reasons for saucerization for discoid meniscus

A discoid meniscus doesn't always cause problems, but when it does, treatment may be recommended. Common reasons for saucerization include:

Knee pain that doesn't improve with rest
Clicking, popping or snapping sounds in the knee
A sensation of the knee locking or catching during movement
Swelling in the knee
Limited range of motion or difficulty fully straightening the knee
A torn discoid meniscus found through imaging or arthroscopy

This condition is often diagnosed in children and adolescents. Your child's care team will evaluate their symptoms and imaging results to determine whether saucerization or another approach is the right next step.

Treatment options (surgical and nonsurgical)

Treatment for a discoid meniscus depends on whether it's causing symptoms and whether it has torn. Options include:

Nonsurgical

Observation and monitoring for a discoid meniscus that isn't causing symptoms
Physical therapy to support knee strength and mobility in mild cases

Surgical

Arthroscopic saucerization to reshape the meniscus into a more functional form
Saucerization combined with meniscus repair when a tear is present alongside the discoid shape

Your child's physician will recommend the option best suited to their symptoms, activity level and knee anatomy.

Recovery and rehabilitation

Recovery after saucerization varies depending on whether a meniscus repair was also performed. In general, patients can expect:

A period of limited weight-bearing or use of crutches in the days following surgery
Gradual return of motion and strength through guided physical therapy
Follow-up visits to monitor healing and knee function
A slower return to sports and high-impact activity when repair is combined with saucerization

Your care team will guide your child through each stage of recovery and adjust the rehabilitation plan based on their progress.

Risks and considerations

As with any surgical procedure, saucerization carries some risk, including infection, stiffness or incomplete symptom relief. There's also a chance the meniscus could tear again over time, particularly with high-impact activity. Your child's orthopedic team will review these considerations with you and answer any questions before moving forward with treatment, so you feel confident in the plan of care.

Conditions we treat

Our expert team delivers expert care for a wide range of sports and activity-related injuries and conditions.

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Why treatment is important

Leaving a symptomatic discoid meniscus untreated can affect a child's comfort, mobility and ability to stay active. Addressing symptoms early can help support healthy knee function as they grow. Novant Health's orthopedic and sports medicine specialists are here to guide your family through every step of care.

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