Definition

The medial and lateral menisci are shock absorbers and force distributors located between the femur and the tibia. Consequently, menisci can tear due to traumatic injury or degenerative wear (e.g., in knee joint arthritis), and can compromise force distribution across the knee joint. A meniscal tear occurs in 2 primary planes, vertical and horizontal. Tears can cause knee pain, swelling, limited range of motion, and catching, locking, and buckling of the knee joint. Tears may lead to degenerative, arthritic changes if not already present.

Anatomical structures around the menisciCreated by BMJ Publishing Group