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The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of "grissle-like" tissue that acts as a shock absorber or cushion between the knee bones (femur and tibia). There are two menisci per knee...one is called "medial meniscus" and the other is called "lateral meniscus." Meniscus tears are quite common. They are often associated with a twisting injury in younger individuals. In older folks, they are often simple "wear-and-tear" injuries. The patient usually has pain on either the inside (medial meniscus) or outside (lateral meniscus) side of the knee. Sometimes the patient may have mechanical symptoms where the knee "locks" because a piece of the meniscus is getting stuck between the bones of the knee. Sometimes the pain may "come-and-go" with several days of pain interspersed between times of no pain. Sometimes a piece of meniscus will suddenly move out from between the bones resulting in a "pop" which relieves the pain. Other times, a piece of meniscus may drift in between the bones resulting in a painful "pop" and return of the pain. Symptoms of meniscus tears can be extemely variable.
For an overview and some pictures click here for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons summary.
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