I have been diagnosed with meniscal degeneration in the body and the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Could you please explain what this means in simple terms?
The meniscus is a small, C-shaped cushion made of cartilage inside your knee. It sits between the thigh and shin bones and helps absorb shock and keep the joint stable. Each knee has two menisci, and the medial meniscus is the one on the inner side of the knee. When a report mentions meniscal degeneration in the body and posterior horn, it means that parts of this cushion have started to wear out and become rough or weak over time. This usually happens slowly due to ageing or repeated stress on the knee from daily activities, sports, or long-term strain. This condition is not always a serious tear, but it may still cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, or discomfort when walking, climbing stairs, or squatting. Most people improve with simple treatments such as rest, pain-relieving medicines, physiotherapy, and exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee. Surgery is only considered if symptoms are severe or do not improve with these measures.