Meniscal Tear

Meniscal tears can be a painful proposition for athletes and non-athletes alike. Although surgical intervention is typically needed to bring lasting relief, most patients enjoy a complete recovery and can return to their active lifestyles. Let OCO help you regain the freedom to enjoy the activities you love.

There are two menisci in your knee; each rests between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). The menisci are made of tough cartilage and conform to the surfaces of the bones upon which they rest. One meniscus is on the inside of your knee; this is the medial meniscus. The other meniscus rests on the outside of your knee; this is the lateral meniscus.

The meniscus functions to distribute your body weight across the knee joint. Without the meniscus present, the weight of your body would be unevenly applied to the bones in your legs (the femur and tibia). This uneven weight distribution may cause excessive forces in specific areas of bone, potentially leading to early arthritic changes of  the knee joint. Therefore, the function of the meniscus is critical to the health of your knee.

The two most common causes of a meniscus tear are due to traumatic injury (often seen in athletes) and degenerative processes (seen in older patients who have more brittle cartilage). The most common mechanism of a traumatic meniscus tear occurs when the knee joint is bent and the knee is then twisted.

It is not uncommon for the meniscus tear to occur along with injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL)-these three problems occurring together are known as the “unhappy triad.”

Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear

• Knee pain
• Swelling of the knee
• Tenderness when pressing on the meniscus
• Popping or clicking within the knee
• Limited motion of the knee joint

A history and physical exam along with an X-ray or MRI may be needed to determine whether or not a patient has a meniscus tear.