Meniscal Cyst

Description

The meniscus is a cartilage structure in the knee that sits on top of one of the lower leg bones (the tibia). Each knee has two menisci, an inner and outer meniscus. The meniscus has four important functions: 1) it acts as an adaptor between the rounded thigh bone (femur) and flat tibia; 2) it serves to help distribute the forces between these two bones over a greater area, rather than point to point; 3) it helps supply nutrition to the cartilage that lines the bones (articular cartilage); and 4) it helps stabilize the knee. Each individual meniscus can be torn, especially with aging. A meniscal cyst is the result of a degenerative meniscal tear that causes joint irritation and results in fluid being produced. The excess fluid can push out the joint capsule, causing a firm cyst through a one-way valve mechanism.

Common signs and symptoms

• Occasionally, a painless bump

• Pain, especially with standing on the affected leg, and tenderness along the joint of the knee

• A firm bump at the cyst, usually at the outer side of the knee; often more apparent when the knee is straight; may get smaller or disappear when the knee is bent

• Swelling within the knee

• Locking of the knee joint, causing inability to straighten the knee completely

• Giving way or buckling of the knee

Causes

Meniscal cysts are usually seen with meniscal tears that occur with aging, although there may be an associated injury to the knee, such as a pivoting or twisting injury. Kneeling or squatting may also cause tears of the meniscus.

Factors that increase risk

• Contact sports (football), sports that involve pivoting in cleats (soccer), and sports in which good shoe grip and sudden changes in direction are required (squash, racquetball, basketball)

• Previous knee injury

• Associated knee injury, particularly ligament injuries

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