Lateral meniscus

Looks like

A C-shaped, almost circular pad of fibrocartilage on the outer half of the tibial top, thicker at its rim.

What it does

Spreads load, deepens the joint surface and helps stabilise and lubricate the knee; more mobile than the medial one.

Keeping it well

Tears with twisting, often with ACL injury. Locking or swelling after a twist needs assessment; surgeons try to repair rather than remove.

Related conditions

• ACL & meniscus injury
• Baker's (popliteal) cyst
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Gout
• Growing pains
• Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Lyme disease
• Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
• Lymphoedema
• Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
• Osteoarthritis
• Pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate disease)
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Reactive arthritis
• Restless legs syndrome
• Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Septic arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Temporomandibular joint disorder
• Varicose veins