What is a Meniscus Tear?
A meniscus tear is an injury which affects the meniscus, a critical pad of cartilage in the knee joint. This type of injury is one of the most common forms of knee injury, especially in elderly people and athletes. Treatment for a meniscus tear depends on the severity of the tear, the activity level of the patient, and the general health of the patient. In some cases, a full recovery is possible, while in other instances, patients may experience recurrent knee pain. Before delving into the specifics of a meniscus tear, it may help to visualize knee anatomy. The knee is a very important joint in the body, consisting of the area where the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap) meet. The meniscus is a layer of cartilage inside the knee which basically acts like a pad, distributing the body’s weight across the tibia and preventing the shin bone, thigh bone, and kneecap from grating against each other. If the meniscus becomes torn, it is no longer able to function as i
