Knee
Knee Meniscus Tear (CartillageTear)
The meniscus are two tough pads of cartilage located in the knee joint between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). Their job is to provide shock absorption and a good fit for the femur on the tibia so body weight is distributed evenly across the knee joint.
Symptoms
Meniscus injuries are characterised by knee pain, stiffness and swelling. If it is torn rather than just irritated then the knee can catch on this tear and “lock”. This prevents the leg from fully straightening.
Causes
The most common cause in sporting individuals is trauma, particularly when the knee joint is bent and is then twisted. In older knees degenerative changes mean the meniscus is more brittle and prone to tearing from less traumatic events.
