"Meniscus"

Three bones come together to form your knee joint: the thigh bone (femur), the leg (tibia), and the anterior face (kneecap).

Two wedge-shaped portions of cartilage act as "shock absorbers" between your femur and tibia. These are called meniscus. They are strong and elastic to help cushion the joint and keep it stable.

Meniscal tears are among the most common knee injuries. Athletes, especially those who play contact sports, are at risk for meniscal tears. However, anyone at any age can tear a meniscus. When people talk about a broken cartilage in the knee, they usually refer to torn meniscus.

Meniscus tears in different ways. Tears are defined by their appearance and also by where the tear occurs in the meniscus. Common tears include longitudinal, parrot beak, flap, bucket handle, and mixed/complex tears.

Sports-related meniscal tears often occur along with other knee injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament tears.

Sudden tears of the meniscus often occur during sports. Players may squat and turn the knee, causing a tear. Sometimes there is direct contact involved, such as a tackle in rugby. Regular movements during work can cause injuries.

Older people are more likely to have degenerative meniscal tears. Cartilage weakens and wears off, becoming thinner over time. Worn, aged tissue is more prone to tearing. Just turning sharply when getting out of a chair may be enough to cause a tear if the meniscus has weakened with age.

How will your orthopedic surgeon treat your tear? It will depend on the type of tear you have, the size, and the location.

The outer third of a meniscus has a lot of blood supply. A tear in this "red" area may heal on its own, or can often be repaired with surgery. A longitudinal tear is an example of this type of tear.

In contrast, the inner two-thirds of the meniscus lack blood supply. Without blood nutrients, the tears in this "white" area cannot heal. These complex tears often occur in fine, worn cartilage. Since the pieces cannot be joined together to regenerate, tears in this area are usually surgically trimmed.

In addition to the type of tear you have, your age, activity level, and any related injuries will influence your treatment plan.