Lateral discoid menisci in children.

In children, the snapping-knee syndrome is strongly suggestive of a diagnosis of discoid menisci; alternatively, the loss of physiological hyperextension of the knee suggests a diagnosis of a torn lateral discoid meniscus. We used arthroscopic meniscectomy to treat 19 lateral discoid menisci in 16 children (average age, 10.5 years). Excellent results were achieved in 18 of 19 cases, with disappearance of the snapping with knee flexion (maximum follow-up, 3 years).