Meniscii Wheeless

Description: - semilunar cartilages are extensions of tibial articulation of knee;
- w/o menisci, tibial articulation is incongruous with the femur;
- load bearing function:
- menisci distribute forces throughout underlying articular cartilage, thus minimizing point contact;
- menisci bear 40 to 50% of the total load transmitted across joint in extension and 85% of the compressive load is transmitted through the menisci at 90 deg of flexion;
- motion characteristics:
- meniscal motion allows maximal congruency during knee flexion and helps to protect the mensici from injury;
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics