Orthopedics Hip & Knee Meniscus Injuries Meniscus vs. Cartilage Tear of the Knee By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 10, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Oluseun Olufade, MD Medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD LinkedIn Twitter Oluseun Olufade, MD, is a board-certified orthopedist. He teaches as an Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print It is common to hear the terms "meniscus tear" and "cartilage tear" used interchangeably. This has created some confusion about the difference between the two terms. Cartilage is a type of connective tissue. Our bodies make different types of cartilage for different purposes. A meniscus is a cushion in the knee joint. It is made up of one of the two types of cartilage found in the knee. The other is called articular cartilage. Tears can occur in both types. This article looks at the difference between a meniscus tear and a cartilage tear. It also discusses the types of cartilage injury and some possible treatments. corbac40 / Getty Images Knee Cartilage Types The knee joint contains two types of cartilage: articular and meniscus. Articular cartilage forms the smooth layer of the joint that covers the ends of bones. A layer of this cartilage covers the end of the thigh bone, the top of the shin bone, and the back of the kneecap. The meniscus is a different type of cartilage. This type acts as a shock absorber between bones. The meniscus is not attached to the bone like articular cartilage. Instead, it sits between the bone ends to cushion the joint. The purpose of both types of cartilage is to protect the knee joint by keeping the bones from rubbing together. They also help the knee move smoothly. Recap There are two types of cartilage in the knee. The articular cartilage covers the bone ends. The meniscus sits between bone ends to provide a cushion for the joint. Types of Cartilage Injury Knee cartilage can be damaged in a few different ways, including: Traumatic injury Degenerative arthritis Chronic overuse Depending on the type of injury, different types of cartilage may be damaged. When cartilage is damaged, it is often described as a tear of the cartilage. Meniscus tears are common knee injuries, but tears can also happen in the articular cartilage. When someone refers to a tear in the cartilage, they are usually talking about the meniscus cartilage. Words that describe an injury to the articular cartilage include: Fissuring: A fissure is a crack in a layer of cartilage. This causes a separation in the layer. Sometimes this causes no symptoms. In other cases it can cause a "catching" sensation if it blocks movement of the knee joint. Thinning: Cartilage thinning can occur after an injury. It may also be an early sign of arthritis in the knee. Thin cartilage may not appear as smooth as normal cartilage. It also may not glide as easily. Flaps: Flaps in the articular cartilage occur when part of the cartilage separates from the bone and can be lifted from its normal position. This can also lead to catching sensations with knee movement. Defects: Cartilage defects can lead to exposed bone within the joint. This can occur after traumatic injuries. It can also occur as a result of knee arthritis. Treatments for Loss of Cartilage in Knee Recap Articular cartilage injuries include fissuring, thinning, flaps, and defects that may expose bone within the joint. Treatment of Cartilage Injury Meniscus tears usually require treatment. The good news is that not all meniscus tears need surgery. Some meniscus tears, though, do respond best to surgical intervention. Damage to both types of cartilage is often the result of long-term degeneration and arthritis. This type of damage may cause serious symptoms such as pain and disability. Still, in many cases, surgery is no better than nonsurgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment of meniscus tears may include: Rest Icing the knee and keeping it elevated Anti-inflammatory medications Physical therapy Always see a doctor if you have a knee injury. A doctor can help determine if surgery is necessary. Your Meniscus May Be Able to Heal Itself Without Surgery Recap Tears to the meniscus usually need surgery. Injuries caused by degeneration, though, may not be improved by surgery. Summary There are two types of cartilage in the knee. Tears can happen in both articular cartilage and a meniscus. Meniscus tears are common. When you hear someone refer to a cartilage tear, they are usually talking about the meniscus. Tears can be caused by injury, arthritis, or chronic overuse. Not all tears require surgery, but many do. Frequently Asked Questions What is the meniscus? The meniscus is a cartilage "shock absorber" between the bones in the knee joint. Each knee has two menisci, one on the each side of the knee.The menisci provide stability and weight balance in the knee to protect your joint. If there is a lot of stress on the knee, the meniscus can wear away and tear. Is it okay to walk on a knee with torn cartilage? If you’re able to walk, you can, but the injury will probably get worse. It may become too painful or the knee may lock. This will prevent movement of the joint. Rest may help in some cases. For severe tears, though, surgery may be necessary. Can a brace help a meniscus tear heal? No. A brace can help secure the knee. It may help you walk or perform daily activities. It won’t help the tear heal. Surgery is usually the best option for treating the meniscus. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Fox AJ, Bedi A, Rodeo SA. The basic science of human knee menisci: structure, composition, and function. Sports Health. 2012;4(4):340-51. doi:10.1177/1941738111429419 International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society. Are all cartilage problems the same? Frobell RB. Change in cartilage thickness, posttraumatic bone marrow lesions, and joint fluid volumes after acute ACL disruption: a two-year prospective MRI study of sixty-one subjects. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2011;93(12):1096-103. doi:10.2106/JBJS.J.00929 Mordecai SC, Al-Hadithy N, Ware HE, Gupte CM. Treatment of meniscal tears: an evidence based approach. World J Orthop. 2014;5(3):233-41. doi:10.5312/wjo.v5.i3.233 Penn Medicine. Meniscus tears: Why you should not let them go untreated. University of Washington Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Torn meniscus. Additional Reading Bronstein RD, Schaffer JC. Physical examination of the knee: meniscus, cartilage, and patellofemoral conditions. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017;25(5):365-374. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-15-00464 Maher SA, Rodeo SA, Warren RF. The meniscus. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017;25(1):e18-e19. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00689