In this illustration,
the medial meniscus is torn
The meniscus is a tissue pad located between your thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia). Each knee has two menisci, one on each side, that help to stabilize the joint and distribute load between your upper and lower leg. The ends of your thighbone and shinbone are covered with articular cartilage. This slippery substance helps your bones glide smoothly across each other as you bend or straighten your leg.
If your meniscus is degenerated or was damaged or torn, the loose ends may have caused pain and limited your range of motion. Millions of Americans visit physicians as a result of meniscus tears, and 1 million or more end up having a partial meniscectomy – surgical removal of a torn meniscus – which can alleviate pain but results in a high risk for arthritis and future knee replacement.1,2,3,4 In addition, many people still suffer from continued knee pain that can seriously affect their daily lives. When a surgeon removes these torn or loose ends, it may temporarily resolve symptoms; however, the meniscus is smaller and thinner, putting your knee at risk of being overloaded.
Overloading can damage the articular cartilage protecting your knee. As this cartilage wears away, it becomes frayed and rough, resulting in a condition known as osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis usually develops over a period of many years and typically affects people who are middle-aged or older. Other risk factors for OA include being overweight or previous injury to the affected joint.