about the procedure

The menisci, two C-shaped discs in each knee, act as shock absorbers and distribute stress across the knee jointjointThe junction or articulation of two or more bones that permits varying degrees of motion between the bones.. Meniscus tears are usually caused when the knee is twisted or quickly turned, often while the foot planted. A torn meniscus interferes with the knee‘s normal function and can cause painpainAn unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage, and mediated by specific nerve fibe..., swelling and limited range of motion.

types of meniscus treatment

The kind of treatment available for a meniscus tears depends, in part, on where the tear occurs. The outside one-third of the meniscus has a rich blood supply. A tear in this "red" zone may heal on its own, or can often be repaired with surgerysurgeryThe branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of disease, injury, and deformity by operation or manipula....

In contrast, the inner two-thirds of the meniscus lacks a blood supply. Without nutrients from blood, tears in this "white" zone cannot heal. These complex tears are often in thin, worn cartilagecartilageThe hard, thin layer of white glossy tissue that covers the end of bone at a joint. This tissue allows motion .... Because the pieces cannot grow back together, tears in this zone are usually surgically trimmed away. This is called a partial meniscectomy.