Meniscus Tears

A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries particularly in active individuals and athletes.

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber helping distribute weight and stabilise the joint.

A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries particularly in active individuals and athletes.

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber helping distribute weight and stabilise the joint.

The knee contains two menisci: Medial meniscus (inner side) Lateral meniscus (outer side). 
These structures sit between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) cushioning movement and protecting the joint surface.

Meniscus tears typically happen from:
– Twisting or pivoting movements especially during sports
– Sudden changes in direction
– Deep squatting or heavy lifting
– Degeneration over time (more common in older adults) In younger patients, tears often occur while the rest of the knee cartilage remains intact.

Common symptoms include:
– Knee pain (often the main complaint)
– Swelling Difficulty with movement or activity
– Occasionally catching or locking (though not always present)
– Pain may persist and limit activity, even without instability.

For significant tears especially in younger patients arthroscopic surgery may be recommended.

During the procedure:
– A camera is inserted into the knee (arthroscopy)
– The torn meniscus is cleaned and repaired using sutures or anchors
– The goal is to preserve the meniscus rather than remove it
– Repair is preferred when possible because it helps maintain long term knee function and reduces the risk of arthritis.

– Recovery depends on the type of tear and repair
– Healing may be supported by techniques that stimulate blood supply (e.g., releasing bone marrow elements) — – – Rehabilitation is essential for restoring strength and mobility