Meniscus vs. Cartilage Tear of the Knee

There is often confusion about whether or not there is a difference between a meniscus tear and a cartilage tear. Many patients will use these words interchangeably, and many doctors may describe an injury using one of these terms. So what do these words mean, and what is the difference between a meniscus tear and a cartilage tear exactly?

Knee Cartilage Types

Our bodies make different types of cartilage. Cartilage is a type of connective tissue in our body and comes in different types that serve different purposes. The knee joint has two types of cartilage inside the joint.

One of the types of cartilage is called articular cartilage. The articular cartilage forms the smooth layer of the joint that covers the bone ends. A layer of articular 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 that forms a shock absorber between the bones. The meniscus is not attached to the bone like the articular cartilage, but rather sits between the bone ends to cushion the joint.

Cartilage Injury

Knee cartilage can be injured as the result of a traumatic injury, degenerative arthritis, or chronic overuse. Depending on the type of injury, the different types of cartilage may be damaged. When cartilage is damaged, often it is described as a tear of the cartilage.

Words commonly used to describe an injury to the articular cartilage in the joint include:

• Fissuring: A fissure in the articular cartilage occurs when there is a cleavage within the layer of cartilage causing a separation between the layer. Sometimes this causes no symptoms, while others it can cause a catching sensation.
• Thinning: Cartilage thinning can occur after an injury or as an early sign of arthritis in the knee. Thin cartilage may not have as smooth an appearance as normal and may not glide as easily.
• Flaps: Flaps in the articular cartilage occur when a portion of the cartilage layer has not adhered and can be lifted from its normal position. This can also lead to catching sensations with knee movement.
• Defects: Cartilage defects can lead to the exposed bone within the joint. This can occur after traumatic injuries or as a result of knee arthritis.

Treatment

When a meniscus tear does occur, treatment is often necessary. The good news is that not all meniscus tears require surgical treatment. However, there are some situations where meniscus tears do respond best to surgical intervention.

In addition, often the damage to cartilage, be it meniscus cartilage or articular cartilage, is the result of a chronic, degenerative process. While this may cause significant symptoms, in these situations surgical treatment is often shown to be no better than nonsurgical treatment.

This is why many surgeons are performing less surgery on people with mild to moderate arthritis of the knee who have signs of torn cartilage. In these individuals, surgical treatment may have only minimal or no benefits.

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 outside and one on the inside of the knee. The menisci support stability and weight balance in the knee to protect your joint, but 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 eventually the injury will likely worsen. It may become too painful or it may lock, preventing movement of the joint. Rest may help in some cases, but for severe tears, surgery is necessary to regain mobility. 

Can a brace help a meniscus tear heal?

No. A brace can help secure the knee and may help you manage walking or everyday activities, but it won’t help the tear heal. Surgery is usually the best option for treating the meniscus.