Why preserving and repairing meniscus is important?

Meniscus acts as a natural spacer between femur and tibia thus protecting the articular surfaces of the knee joint. Functions of meniscus are:

1. Acts as a shock absorber
2. Distributes axial load
3. Increases stability of the knee joint
4. Provides nutrition and lubrication to the knee joint

So preserving the meniscus is important since its absence may lead to increased contact stresses on the articular surface thus leading to its damage and subsequently leading to early osteoarthritis

Repair of the meniscus is important because as the tear progresses a due to abnormal stresses on the knee joint, a part of meniscus may flip or detach itself and forms a loose body which causes locking and persistent pain

Moreover tears in the inner portion (white zone) of the meniscus lack in proper blood supply and are less likely to heal on their own hence require repair whereas tears in outer portion (Red zone) do heal on their own and sometimes require repair.