Meniscus Tear

The meniscus is a C-shaped fibrocartilaginous structure in the knee that sits on top of the tibia (shin bone). Each knee has two menisci, a medial (inner) and lateral (outer) meniscus. The meniscus functions like an adapter between the rounded femur (thighbone) and flat tibia (shin bone). The meniscus serves to help distribute the forces over a greater surface area of the two bones, helps trap synovial joint fluid and supply nutrition for the articular cartilage on the end of the bones and helps stabilize the knee. The meniscus is fibrocartilage (rubbery tissue) that loses its elasticity (suppleness) and wears with age. Meniscus tears are very common, occurring in up to one third of all sports injuries. The medial (inner) meniscus is injured most often.