Dr. Eliseo Mora Sánchez
2023-04-14 |
The menisci are crescent-shaped structures found in the knee joints. They are fibrous and flexible cartilages that act as shock absorbers and distribute the load in the joint during movement. Each knee has two menisci, one on the inside (medial meniscus) and one on the outside (lateral meniscus).
The menisci serve several important functions in the knee. They help absorb shock and distribute the load between the bones of the joint, which reduces friction and wear on the articular cartilage. In addition, they contribute to the stability of the knee by improving the congruence between the surface of the tibia and the femur. However, the menisci are susceptible to injury, especially during sports activities that involve sharp twisting or twisting motions of the knee. Meniscal injuries are common and can range in severity from small tears to complete tears. Symptoms of a meniscal injury can include knee pain, swelling, a feeling of being locked or trapped in the joint, decreased mobility, and tenderness along the joint line. The diagnosis of a meniscal lesion is generally made through clinical evaluation, imaging tests such as MRI and, in some cases, arthroscopy, which is a surgical procedure that allows problems inside the knee to be visualized and treated.