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MICHAEL R. JORDAN, MD
The term lateral meniscal variant encompasses several different entities, some of which are symptomatic. The most
common variant, the discoid lateral meniscus, is often encountered incidentally. When pathological, this and other
variants require careful preoperative planning and treatment consideration. The clinical presentation may be similar
to that of a routine torn lateral meniscus or may be the classic snapping-knee syndrome. Evaluation should include
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopic examinations when symptoms warrant and treatment is
contemplated. Treatment options include observation; partial meniscectomy for stable types; stabilization (with or
without partial meniscectomy, depending on shape) for unstable types; and complete meniscectomy. An attempt
should be made to salvage the meniscus, if reasonable. If complete meniscectomy is necessary, however, a child may
respond better than with lateral meniscectomy in the normal knee.
KEY WORDS: discoid lateral meniscus
Occasionall); the orthopedic surgeon encounters an and posterior capsular separation, either acutely or chroni-
aberrant lateral meniscus in his or her practice. This may cally.I,4-m
be an incidental finding during the treatment of another Watanabe et al published the most well-known classifica-
lesion in the knee or may actually be the symptomatic tion system, based on arthroscopic appearance (Fig 1). The
pathology sought during the joint inspection. If not sus- complete type has a discoid shape (usually increased
pected preoperatively, however, it can often be a surprise. thickness) that covers the entire tibial plateau. It has firm
The purpose of this article is to review the different lateral tibial attachments and may or may not have a meniscofemo-
meniscal variants and the treatments thereof to better ral (Wrisberg a n d / o r H u m p h r y ) ligament attachment. The
prepare the orthopedic surgeon for these encounters. incomplete type is basically the same, but covers less tibial
plateau. The Wrisberg-ligament type is shown as a hyper-
BACKGROUND mobile meniscus of nearly normal shape, but with abnor-
mal attachments. The posterior tibial attachment was
An experienced arthroscopist certainly recognizes the nor- lacking, rather having an attachment to the meniscofemo-
real variability of the size and mobility of the lateral ral ligament (Wrisberg). 2 Since his description, however,
meniscus. ~ Also, subtle differences in the meniscal thick- many different sizes and shapes have been included as
ness and a m o u n t of tibial plateau coverage during routine Wrisberg-ligament types because of hypermobility. 1,4.~,7,1°
arthroscopy are often noticed. This variability is also found In fact, the size or shape has often not been discussed.
in the several types of lateral meniscal anomalies seen. In 1993, Jordan et al u proposed a new classification
Although abnormal, these variants may be asymptomatic system based on arthroscopic findings, but incorporating
and incidental or may be pathological and require creative tears, symptoms, and treatment needs. They grouped
treatment. stable types together, regardless of anatomy, and then
The most well-recognized lateral meniscal variant (LMV) subgrouped them based on s y m p t o m s and tears. The
is known as the discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) and was unstable types were also grouped together and then
popularized by Watanabe et al. 2 Discoid implies greater subgrouped based on shape, tears, and symptoms.
coverage of the tibial plateau and usually increased thick- I consider all stable types similar because they have firm
ness. This may involve all or only part of the meniscus. It is anterior and posterior tibial attachments with or without a
referred to as an anterior or posterior megahorn when it meniscofemoral ligament attachment. S y m p t o m s in this
only involves 1 horn. There has even been a circular group are usually caused by tears or degeneration. I
meniscus described 3 that has also been commonly found in consider all unstable types similar, despite their size,
animals other than man. 4 Other meniscal variants may shape, or reason for instability. Symptoms in this group
have normal shape, but abnormal mobility. The true cause may be caused by tears a n d / o r instability. These are so
of this hypermobility is unclear, but speculations have grouped because this influences treatment options that will
included congenitally abnormal attachments posteriorly be discussed later. It is also important to understand that
stable types may become unstable over time either because
of capsular separation 7 or to a tear.
From the Middle Tennessee Medical Center; and Murfreesboro Orthope- The chances of finding a LMV are likely. The actual
dics and Sports Medicine, Murfreesboro, TN. prevalence is probably 4% to 5% in the United States. The
Address reprint requests to Michael R. Jordan, MD, 525 North Univer- reported prevalences range from 0.4% to 16.6% with a
sity St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.
Copyright ,~ 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company higher percentage in Asian populations. 1,-~-7.1°,1-'-1~'One re-
1048-6666/00/1003-0009510.00/0 cent study noted 22 patients (27 DLM), who were less than
doi:10.1053/otor.2000.5339 18 years old, out of 275 MRI scans (259 patients) performed
L i g a m e n t of Wrisberg . L a t e r a l meniscus . ,
B t, .[,, E
Karapeku
Fig 1. Posterior views of menisci. (A) Normal meniscus. Note the normal shape and posterior tibial attachment. The presence
or absence of a meniscofemoral ligament is variable. (B) Complete discoid meniscus. (C) Incomplete discoid meniscus. Note
the intact posterior tibial attachments in both discoid types. (D) Wrisberg-type meniscal variant with nearly normal shape. (E)
Wrisberg variant with discoid shape. In Wrisberg variants, the posterior tibial attachment is lacking, leaving the Wrisberg
ligament as the posterior attachment.
on children between March 1989 and February 1994.17 tered type. It must also be pointed out that Kaplan's
Washington et al reported on 34 discoid lateral meniscecto- hypothesis was based on observation at open surgery.
mies in children out of a total of 4,092 meniscectomies Woods and Whelan 7 further suggested that the unstable,
performed at the Hospital for Special Surgery between discoid-shaped, lateral meniscus was the result of poste-
January 1955 and December 1983 (0.8%).18 rior capsular separation of a previously stable congenital
The majority of these variants are of the stable (complete discoid meniscus (ie, complete or incomplete type). This
and incomplete) type, whereas the unstable Wrisberg- separation was caused by chronically increased shear
ligament type comprises anywhere from 0% to 33%.4,6,9,14,18"24 forces posteriorly, a result of increased thickness and
Previously, bilateral occurrence has been reported as high increased normal mobility laterally.
as 20%.~ Recently, bilateral occurrence was found in 9 of 10 Originally, Watanabe et al 2 pictured the Wrisberg-
children who underwent bilateral MRI, regardless of bilat- ligament type as normal in shape, but having abnormal
eral symptoms. The entire study included 10 other children attachments. Since then, other unstable variants have been
who underwent unilateral MRI earlier in the study. 24 included in this category, although the exact anatomic
Washington et al noted that 5 of 34 patients had bilateral descriptions are often either lacking or unclear. 1A,5,1°A4,19.21
findings) s Thus, the likelihood of bilateral occurrence may In fact, many investigators state the number of Wrisberg-
be higher than previously thought, especially in children. ligament types found, but do not describe the size, shape,
The etiology of the LMV is not completely understood at or attachments. These unstable types are more likely
this time. Smillie6 hypothesized that the discoid meniscus responsible for the snapping-knee syndrome.
was a congenital aberration that resulted from arrested There are probably several different types of unstable
normal meniscal maturation. This has been supported by LMVs, possibly with different origins. Watanabe et al's 2
Soren, 26 but disputed by others. 2,4 Kaplan 4 suggested that original description of a nearly normal shape with abnor-
the discoid shape results from trauma to a previously mal attachments is supported by Neuschwander et al's 5
normally shaped meniscus. This trauma is the repetitive description of a "lateral meniscal variant with absence of
medial to lateral motion seen when the attachments are the posterior coronary ligament." However, the presence
abnormal, creating excessive mobility: Although this mech- or absence of a meniscofemoral ligament attachment is not
anism may be plausible, Woods and Whelan 7 pointed out documented. It would also be conceivable that a normal
that Kaplan's hypothesis could not account for the stable lateral meniscus could detach from the tibia posteriorly
atraumatic discoid meniscus, the most commonly encoun- (propagation of the popliteal hiatus) because of injury or
_J
LATERAL MENISCALVARIANTS 237
Fig 5. (A-C). A stable LMV with a small tear in the central
portion in a 25-year-old woman after a minimal twisting injury
at work. Note the thin nature of the meniscus, which was
treated with partial excision.
Fig 6. (A and B) A torn symptomatic stable LMV that was treated with saucerization to a stable rim in a 30-year-old woman. Note
how the central portion is thickened and rolled under the posterior rim. (ol 996 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Reprinted from the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Volume 4(4), pp 191-200 with permission, zg)
Posterior
A
Anterior
Fig 7. Surgical techniques for
partial meniscectomy and/or
repair of lateral meniscal vari-
ants. (A) Partial excision of a \
stable torn discoid-shaped
meniscus. (B) Partial resec-
tion and stabilization of an
unstable torn discoid-shaped
meniscus. (C) Stabilization of
an unstable LMV, with reduc-
tion of the posterior mega- j,-
horn.
Karapelou
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