Meniscal Tear

The meniscus is one of the most commonly injured parts of the knee. There are two menisci in the knee: one on the outside (lateral) and one on the inside (medial) of the knee. Shaped like a wedge, this rubbery cushion provides a place where the upper leg (femur) and lower leg (tibia) contact each other. Meniscal cartilage is curved like the a 'C' on the inside and outside of the knee. The meniscus helps the knee joint carry weight, as well as glide and turn in many directions. It also keeps your femur and tibia from having direct contact with one another.

Contact sports like football can cause tears to the meniscus by twisting the knee, pivoting, cutting or decelerating. In athletes, meniscal tears often happen in combination with other injuries such as a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). Older people can injure the meniscus without any trauma as the cartilage weakens and wears thin over time, setting the stage for a degenerative tear.

The meniscus can tear in a number of ways. A small flap of the inner rim may tear, or the entire inner rim may rip. In damage associated with aging (degenerative tears), a portion of the meniscus is frayed in several places.