| There are two forms of cartilage in the knee, | | | | adults are more prone to degeneration because as |
| articular cartilage and the meniscus. Articular cartilage | | | | people get older, age makes cartilage more |
| surrounds the surfaces of the bones that make up | | | | susceptible to wear and tear. |
| the knee. The articular cartilage prevents damage | | | | Meniscus tears usually involve the following |
| when the bones move and rub against one another. | | | | symptoms:o Pain, swelling and tendernesso Clicking |
| Resting on top of the articular cartilage are two | | | | and popping inside the kneeo Restricted motion |
| wedges of cartilage that make up the meniscus. The | | | | Meniscus Tear Treatment |
| meniscus distributes weight evenly throughout the | | | | Many meniscal tears, particularly chronic tears, can be |
| leg. Without the meniscus, weight is applied unevenly | | | | treated non-operatively by physical therapy, |
| to the bones, which results in arthritis of the knee. | | | | strengthening exercises, medications and cortisone |
| Meniscus tears, which are also referred to as cartilage | | | | injections. |
| tears, involve pain and swelling in the knee. | | | | Surgery is not usually necessary to treat meniscus |
| Sometimes meniscus tears also result in joint locking, | | | | tears. Physical therapy is a more common treatment. |
| which prevents the knee from fully straightening. The | | | | Sometimes physical therapy is accompanied by |
| meniscus is basically really tough cartilage, which is | | | | medication and cortisone injections to alleviate pain. |
| made up of two menisci that conform to the | | | | Partial menisectomy surgery is the most common |
| surfaces of the bones. The menisci can be found on | | | | form of surgery for meniscus tears. It involves |
| the surface between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia | | | | removal of the torn portion of the meniscus. Usually |
| (shin bone). | | | | this is a good option if the tear is small. If the tear is |
| The two most common causes of meniscus tears | | | | large, surgeons have the option of repairing the |
| are traumatic injury and degeneration. Athletes are | | | | meniscus with sutures or tacks instead of moving the |
| prone to traumatic injuries that involve bending and | | | | torn section of the meniscus entirely. |
| twisting of the knee to result in meniscus tears. Older | | | | |