Lateral meniscus abnormality

Hi,

I have a patient who I think has lateral meniscus abnormality - he sometimes gets pain on the lateral side of his knee after walking for 10 minutes, swelling/lump over the joint line, and a positive McMurrays. Ice and rest reduce the lump and pain and he can function as before. Tight ITb as well. He plays sport (cricket and indoor netball) and he does not get the pain when playing sport, only when walking long distances.

Does anyone know where I can find out more information about lateral meniscus abnormality and how to treat it?

Thanks,
Keren

Hi Karen,

You may well be dealing with a Lateral meniscus cyst.
Damage to the meniscus or previous surgery, can often result in a channel forming basically that allows fluid to fill a cyst that appears as a swelling/lump on the lateral aspect of the knee.
Certain activities will exacerbate the condition and others may well not affect it, hence the symptoms your patient is experiencing.
Sometimes an injection can help just to settle condition down, if very large, then aspiration is possible, and a last resort is surgical intervention. This you must try to avoid, as the lateral meniscus should be preserved for as long as possible.
A tight ITB will not help, so releases here are key. You may try some aggressive, compressive massage and pulsed ultrasound.
Hope this has been of value.
Regards
Nigel