What Is A Torn Cartilage?

In medical terminology, the cartilage is known as the meniscus. It is a piece of fibrocartilage shaped like the letter C of the English alphabet. It is located at the peripheral aspect of the knee joint. Most of the meniscus or cartilage does not have any blood supply. Therefore, when the cartilage or meniscus is torn or damaged due to injury, it cannot undergo the same healing process as the rest of the body. As the person grows older in age, the meniscus starts deteriorating and tearing to such an extent, that this process leads to serious degeneration. A torn meniscus is typically characterised by an abnormal movement of the torn piece inside the joint. There is very little space between the bones of the joint. Therefore, when the piece of meniscal tissue moves in such an abnormal fashion, it gets caught between the two bones of the joint, namely the femur and the tibia. This causes a swelling in the knee, which is painful. In this case, it is difficult to move the joint.