The menisci are rubbery pieces of cartilage that serve as "shock absorbers" between the bones in the knee joint. Those bones include the tibia or shinbone, the femur or thighbone, and the patella, which is the kneecap. Ligaments connect the bones and help brace the knee joint when it is in motion, protecting it from unusual or unnatural movements. Both the menisci and ligaments are subject to injury and wear and tear.
Menisci Injuries
You may often hear about athletes tearing cartilage in their knees. Usually that refers to menisci. Such injuries can occur from direct contact on the knee or sometimes from twisting or changing direction. Older adults may also tear their menisci from simple wear and tear.
Ligament Injuries
Major knee injuries in sports are often the result of damage to the one of the major ligaments in the knee. The two most common injuries are tears to the anterior cruciate ligament, which is often the result of a violent twist or turn of the knee joint, or the medial collateral ligament, which usually occurs after a direct hit on the knee.
Symptoms
Sometimes when a person tears his meniscus or his ligaments, he will hear a pop. Swelling and pain will soon follow and you may feel like your knee won't support your weight or will lock up on you. If these symptoms occur, your doctor may recommend a treatment program known as RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. If that initial treatment plan doesn't work, a more involved treatment plan may be in order.
Function
In addition to acting a shock absorber, the meniscus helps keep the tibia and femur from rubbing together and works with the ligaments to stabilize the knee joint. When the meniscus is healthy, it helps maintain the fluid content that keeps the knee joint functioning well.
