Myxoid Degeneration in Children??

Hello, my daughter is 10 years old and had an MRI done on her left knee. The Dx was Myxoid Degeneration of the Meniscus with a possible Meniscus tear. Her Ortho. Surgeon wants to do arthroscopic to reapir. My question is how common is it in children for Myxoid Degeneration and could it be anything other than that? Also could that be the start of something more serious? I have always aquaited degeneration with older persons. Thanks for any insight you have for me.

[Michael L Gross, MD]

You didn't mention how your daughter hurt her knee.  Meniscal tears are unusual in 10 year olds, but they do occur.  The meniscus in the age group is very vascular, and the vascularity often looks like either a tear or myxoid degeneration on an MRI.  I would not recommend arthroscopic surgery on a 10 year old simply based on an MRI that is suspicious and not definitive.  In that case, the history and physical exam would have to be compelling, and other treatment including a period of rest and crutches would have had to be unseccessful.