The Role of the Meniscus in Knee Osteoarthritis: a Cause or Consequence?

The menisci play a critical protective role for the knee joint through shock absorption and load distribution. Asymptomatic meniscal tears are common and are frequent incidental findings on knee MR imaging of the middle-aged or older patient. A meniscal tear can lead to knee osteoarthritis (OA), but knee OA can also lead to a spontaneous meniscal tear through breakdown and weakening of meniscal structure. A degenerative meniscal lesion in the middle-aged or older patient could suggest early stage knee OA and should be treated accordingly. Surgical resection of non-obstructive degenerate lesions may only remove evidence of the disorder while the OA and associated symptoms proceeds.