What is the role of the menisci?
In the past it was thought that the menisci were just the vestigial remnants of a muscle within the knee, and they were routinely excised completely in the presence of any kind of damage. There are still many patients around today with nice big scars on their knees, courtesy of previous open total meniscectomies. However, it is now recognised that the menisci have a number of very important functions within the knee:- • they act as shock absorbers • they share load within the knee • they are secondary stabilisers, of particular importance in the ACL-deficient knee • they probably contribute to proprioception (sensory feedback and reflexes) within the knee • they probably have a role lubrication of the joint, and • they may play a part in nutrition of the articular cartilage Image showing the knee with the menisci intact. As the curved end of the femur pushes down on the flat upper surface of the tibia with weight-bearing, the menisci act as shock absorbers and cushions between the bone
