There are two forms of cartilage in the knee, the articular cartilage and the meniscus. Articular cartilage surrounds the surfaces of the bones that make up the knee. Articular cartilage prevents damage when bones move and rub against each other. Resting on the articular cartilage are two wedges of cartilage that form the meniscus. The meniscus distributes weight evenly throughout the leg. Without the meniscus, weight is applied unequally to the bones, resulting in arthritis of the knee.
Meniscus tears, also known as cartilage tears, involve pain and swelling in the knee. Sometimes meniscal tears also cause the joint to lock, preventing the knee from fully straightening. The meniscus is basically very tough cartilage, which is made up of two menisci that conform to the surfaces of the bones. The menisci can be found on the surface between the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone).
The two most common causes of meniscal tears are traumatic injury and degeneration. Athletes are prone to traumatic injuries that involve bending and twisting the knee to cause meniscus tears. Older adults are more prone to degeneration because as people age, age makes cartilage more susceptible to wear and tear.
Meniscus tears generally involve the following symptoms:
o Pain, swelling and tenderness
o Click and pop inside the knee
or restricted movement
Meniscus tear treatment
Many meniscal tears, particularly chronic tears, can be treated nonsurgically through physical therapy, strengthening exercises, medication, and cortisone injections.
Surgery is not usually necessary to treat meniscus tears. Physical therapy is a more common treatment. Sometimes physical therapy is accompanied by medication and cortisone injections to relieve pain.
Partial meniscectomy surgery is the most common form of surgery for meniscal tears. It involves removal of the torn portion of the meniscus. This is usually a good option if the tear is small. If the tear is large, surgeons have the option of repairing the meniscus with sutures or tacks rather than moving the entire torn meniscus section.