Your child has a discoid meniscus. This means that the meniscus (meh-NISS-kiss), a C-shaped disc of cartilage in the knee, is thicker than normal. If the knee doesn't hurt or bother your child, it might not need treatment. If treatment is needed, exercises and medicines for pain and swelling can help. Sometimes surgery is needed. Use these instructions to care for your child.

• If an activity (such as running or jumping) causes knee pain, have your child take a break from it. Low-impact exercises, such as walking and swimming, usually are OK.
• If your child has pain and swelling, and the health care provider says it's OK, you can:
  • Give ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand) or naproxen (Aleve®, Naprosyn®, or a store brand). Follow the directions on how much medicine to give and how often.
  • Put ice on the knee for 10–20 minutes every few hours. Place a towel between the ice and the skin.
• Follow the health care provider's recommendations about whether your child should:
  • wear a knee brace or elastic bandage
  • see a physical therapist
  • see an orthopedic surgeon

Your child:

• has knee pain or swelling that does not go away after a week of treatment
• has knee pain that gets worse
• can't bend or straighten the knee normally
• often feels like the knee is going to give out or buckle
• has trouble walking

What does the meniscus do? Each knee has an inner meniscus and an outer meniscus. They act as shock absorbers between the upper and lower bones of the leg, preventing the thighbone from rubbing against the shinbone. They also soften the pressure on the bones when someone runs or jumps, and help keep the knee steady.

What causes a discoid meniscus? Doctors and scientists don't know exactly what causes a discoid meniscus. It most likely happens while the baby is developing in the womb.