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The meniscus is a C-shaped or crescent-shaped pad of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber. Each knee has two menisci, which sit between the tibia (lower leg bone) and the femur (thigh bone). The medial meniscus sits on the inside of the knee, while the lateral meniscus sits on the outside. The menisci provide structural integrity to the knee, dispersing friction and protecting the lower part of the leg from the shock created by body weight. Meniscus tears are common knee injuries, often caused by twisting or rotating movements of the knee while bearing weight. Symptoms of a torn meniscus include knee pain, swelling, stiffness, and weakness. Treatment options depend on the patient's symptoms, age, and general health, and may include conservative management, physical therapy, or surgical repair or removal of the tear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A pad of cartilage in the knee that absorbs shock |
| Shape | Crescent-shaped or C-shaped |
| Number | Two menisci in each knee |
| Location | Between the tibia (lower leg bone) and the femur (thigh bone) |
| Function | Acts as a shock absorber to cushion the lower part of the leg from the weight of the rest of the body |
| Blood Flow | From the periphery (outside) to the central meniscus; blood flow decreases with age |
| Vascular Supply | Predominately from the medial, lateral, and middle genicular arteries |
| Nerve Supply | Posterior tibial, obturator, and femoral nerves |
| Treatment | Exercises, medicine, arthroscopy, rest, ice, medication, surgery |
| Risk Factors | Twisting or rotating the knee, especially while bearing weight; age; obesity; wear and tear; contact sports |
| Symptoms | Pain, swelling, stiffness, locking, clicking, weakness, instability, inability to move the knee |
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What You'll Learn
Meniscus tears
The meniscus is a C-shaped or crescent-shaped pad of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber. Each knee has two menisci, which sit between the tibia (lower leg bone) and the femur (thigh bone). The medial meniscus sits on the inside of the knee, and the lateral meniscus sits on the outside.
Anyone at any age can tear their meniscus, but the risk increases with age due to wear and tear on the knees. Obesity also increases the risk of a torn meniscus. Tears can also develop as a result of degenerative changes that happen over time.
Tears can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee. There may be a feeling of weakness or instability, and it may be difficult to extend the knee fully. In some cases, a torn meniscus can lead to osteoarthritis in the injured knee.
If a meniscus tear is suspected, a doctor will conduct a thorough health history and evaluation of the knee. They may also order X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to confirm the diagnosis. An MRI is the preferred method of diagnosing acute meniscus tears due to its high level of accuracy. Treatment options depend on the patient's age, symptoms, and activity level. Conservative treatment, such as rest, ice, and medication, may be enough to relieve the pain and allow the injury to heal on its own. In other cases, surgery may be required.
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Treatment
The treatment for a torn meniscus will depend on the patient's symptoms, age, general health, and the severity of the condition. For example, conservative treatments such as rest, ice, and medication may be enough to relieve pain and allow the injury to heal on its own. However, in other cases, surgery may be required.
If you suspect you have torn your meniscus, you should schedule an appointment with a sports medicine doctor or primary care physician. Once you receive a diagnosis, you will be referred to a specialist, such as a hip and knee orthopedic surgeon, who will help determine the best course of treatment.
If surgery is required, a knee arthroscopy may be performed. This is a minimally invasive procedure where a small, lighted optic tube (arthroscope) is inserted through a small incision in the joint. Images of the inside of the knee are projected onto a screen, allowing the provider to repair or trim the torn portion of the meniscus.
After the initial recovery period, physical therapy may be necessary to build up supporting knee muscles. This may involve reducing pain and maintaining the full motion of the knee. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., ibuprofen) may be prescribed during this stage. Once the knee motion is restored, treatment may progress to muscle strengthening.
For young patients, preserving as much of the meniscus as possible is important for maintaining knee health. Sutures can be used to hold the meniscus together while the body heals.
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Symptoms
The meniscus is a C-shaped pad of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber. Each knee has two menisci. Meniscus tears are common knee injuries. A torn meniscus can be caused by any activity that involves a forceful twisting or rotating movement of the knee, especially when putting your full weight on it. Tears can also occur when kneeling, deep squatting, or lifting something heavy. The risk of a torn meniscus is particularly high for athletes, especially those who participate in contact sports such as football, or activities that involve pivoting, such as tennis or basketball.
A torn meniscus can lead to a range of symptoms, including:
- Persistent knee pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Weakness or instability of the knee
- A feeling of the knee giving way or locking up
- Inability to move the knee as usual or fully bend or straighten the leg
- Clicking or catching in the knee
It may take 24 hours or more for pain and swelling to begin, especially if the tear is small. Tears can progress over time, and pain is often a guide—if a tear is worsening, there will generally be symptoms of increased pain.
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Knee arthroscopy
The meniscus is a C-shaped pad of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber. Each knee has two menisci, which sit between the tibia (lower leg bone) and the femur (thigh bone). The medial meniscus sits on the inside of the knee, and the lateral meniscus sits on the outside.
A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries. It is often caused by a twisting movement of the knee while bearing weight, which can occur during sports or other activities. Symptoms of a torn meniscus include pain, swelling, stiffness, and weakness of the knee.
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Meniscus location
The meniscus is a C-shaped or crescent-shaped pad of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber. Each knee has two menisci, which sit between the tibia (lower leg or shinbone) and the femur (thigh bone). The medial meniscus is located on the inner side of the knee, while the lateral meniscus is located on the outer side.
Meniscus tears are common knee injuries, often caused by twisting or rotating the knee while bearing weight. Tears can occur in various locations within the menisci, including the posterior portion of the medial meniscus (known as a ramp lesion), the inner portion of the meniscus (radial meniscus tear), or the area of the meniscus that doesn't get much blood flow (white zone).
The location of a meniscus tear is important in determining the appropriate treatment. For example, smaller ramp lesions in the red zone, or the area of the meniscus with better blood flow, may heal without surgery. On the other hand, tears in the white zone, or the area of the meniscus with limited blood flow, may require surgery.
In addition to the medial and lateral menisci, there is also the meniscal root, where the meniscus inserts into the bone. Tears can occur at the front (anterior root) or back (posterior root) of the meniscus.
To diagnose a meniscus tear, doctors will typically perform a physical examination and may order imaging tests such as X-rays or MRIs to confirm the location and type of tear. Treatment options may include non-surgical methods such as rest, ice, and physical therapy, or surgical procedures such as arthroscopy to repair or remove the damaged meniscus.
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