Schneider, Kristi2008-10-162008-10-162008-10-16https://hdl.handle.net/11299/44290The information provided in this handout does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Minnesota Medical School physicians and faculty. These materials are provided for informational purposes only and are in no way intended to take the place of the advice and recommendations of your personal health care provider. You use the information provided in these handouts at your own risk.The meniscus is a disc of cartilage located between the femur and tibia that acts as a cushion to redistribute the forces in the knee joint. Meniscal tears may result from an acute, traumatic injury to a young, healthy knee. In older patients, mensical tears are often due to degenerative changes in the meniscus and daily wear and tear. Symptoms of a torn meniscus include pain, especially going up stairs, swelling of the knee, locking or clicking. Meniscal tears are diagnosed by physical exam or MRI. If mensical damage is identified on physical exam, MRI is not needed before treatment. Treatment of acute tears is surgical resection or repair. Treatment of degenerative tears is more conservative with physical therapy and supportive measures being the focus of treatment. If conservative treatment fails, then the indications for surgery are reevaluated.en-USMensicuscartilageknee painOther