The meniscus is a type of C-shaped cartilage that sits within your knee joint between your thigh bone and shin bone. Each knee joint has two menisci—one on the outside of the knee (called the lateral menisci) and one on the inside of the knee (called the medial menisci).The medial and lateral menisci act as shock-absorbers and also provide cushioning and stability to the knee, which is why any tear or damage to a meniscus results in pain, swelling, and sometimes, a feeling that the knee is giving out.
The knee has several parts, including bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. All of them work together to make sure the knee functions well enough for walking, running, jumping, sitting and standing. Two C-shaped pieces of cartilage known as the medial and lateral menisci have the important job of absorbing shock between the shinbone and the thigh bone, preventing premature wear and tear. Each meniscus is prone to tearing when the knee twists, making meniscus tears one of the most common knee injuries.
Although meniscus tears can cause discomfort and make it difficult to straighten the knee, there are several treatment options. In many cases, a meniscus tear heals on its own with rest and other conservative treatments. If the pain persists, surgery can reduce pain and restore function.
Most commonly, a meniscus tear results from an acute injury to the knee, often from a sudden twist of the knee while squatting during a sports activity.
Examples of sports that increase a person’s risk for a menisci tear include:
But meniscus tears can also occur due to age-related degenerative (wear-and-tear) changes (knee osteoarthritis).As people age, their menisci weaken and become more brittle and prone to damage.
Everyday movements like getting up improperly from a chair can be enough to cause a meniscus tear.
Many people report a popping sensation as the tear occurs. Following this type of injury, you may experience pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced range of motion. Depending on the severity of the tear, some people also have difficulty straightening the affected leg or report feeling as if the injured knee is about to “give out” while walking or engaging in other types of physical activity.
