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Meniscus tears - Overview

Alternative Names

Tear - meniscus; Knee injury - meniscus; Knee cartilage tear

Definition of Meniscus tears:

Meniscus tears refer to a tear in the shock-absorbing cartilage (meniscus) of the knee.

Considerations:

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage located in the knee. Cartilage is found in certain joints and forms a buffer between the bones to protect the joint. The meniscus serves as a shock-absorption system, assists in lubricating the knee joint, and limits the ability to flex and extend the joint.

Causes:

Meniscal tears are most commonly caused by twisting or over-flexing the knee joint.

Arthroscopy

Meniscal tears

Knee arthroscopy - series

Reviewed last on: 6/13/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

De Carlo M, Armstrong B. Rehabilitation of the knee following sports injury. Clin Sports Med. 2010 Jan;29(1):81-106.

Brockmeier SF, Rodeo SA. Knee: Meniscal injuries. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 23;sect B.

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