The meniscus is a C-shaped wedge of cartilage that rests between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone).  Each knee has two menisci; one at the outer edge of the knee (lateral meniscus) and one at the inner edge (medial meniscus).  The meniscus acts to distribute the weight of your body across the knee joint.  Without the meniscus present, the weight of your body would be unevenly applied to the bones, causing excessive forces in specific areas of the bone leading to early arthritis.  The meniscus also aids in the stability of the joint, allowing the rounded end of the femur to glide over the flat tibia.

Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries, usually due to traumatic injury or degenerative process.  Traumatic tears often happen during sports.  Players may bend and twist the knee, causing a tear, or direct contact, like a tackle, is sometimes involved.  Degenerative meniscus tears are more likely to be seen in older people.  The cartilage weakens and wears thin over time making it more prone to tear; something as simple as an awkward twist when getting up from a chair or stepping off a curb may be enough to cause a tear.

The most common symptoms associated with a meniscus tear are pain, swelling and limited range of motion of the knee.  Most people can still walk on their injured knee and many athletes may keep playing with a tear.  Over 2-3 days, the knee will gradually become more swollen, stiff and painful.  The severity of the symptoms is also dependent on the type or severity of the meniscus tear.  Small tears may cause minimal pain and swelling, while larger tears can cause the knee to catch or pop, or lock in a certain position.

If you have persistent knee pain and swelling, especially after an injury, you may have torn your meniscus or injured other structures in your knee.  An orthopedic surgeon will perform a careful history and physical examination.  Further tests, like an X-ray or MRI, may be ordered.  An X-ray can help determine if there are any degenerative or arthritic changes to the knee joint.  Since you cannot see a meniscus on X-ray, an MRI can be helpful in actually visualizing the meniscus and other structures in and around the knee.

Treatment of a meniscus tear depends on several factors including the type of tear, activity level and age of the patient and the response to simple treatment measures.  Not all mensicus tears require surgery.  Some people are able to live and function with a meniscus tear and avoid surgery depending on their symptoms and the exact circumstances of the tear.  Nonsurgical treatment may include ice, rest, elevation, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy.  If your symptoms persist or your tear is a type that requires surgery, your physician may suggest an arthroscopic procedure.  It is sometimes possible to repair a torn meniscus if the tear occurs in an area with a good blood supply.  In other cases, the torn portion of meniscus is trimmed (menisectomy).  Recovery from surgery varies depending on the injury, the type of surgery, and your age, health status, and activity level.  You should speak with your surgeon directly regarding the most appropriate meniscus tear treatment, length of recovery and expected outcome.

Meniscus tears can be hard to prevent because they generally happen without any warning.  Simple precautions may reduce your risk.  Getting regular exercise, including strength training for your leg muscles, may help stabilize and protect your knee.  You should always warm up and stretch properly before playing sports or engaging in any strenuous activity involving your legs.  Learn and use the proper techniques for your sport or activity.  Also, give your muscles plenty of time to rest and recover between activities.

Meniscus injuries happen, but they do not have to stop you from continuing to perform the activities you love.  Know the preventative measures and the symptoms, and speak to your physician about a treatment plan that works best for you and your lifestyle.

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