The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the shinbone and the thighbone. It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it. A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries. A partial or small tear can be treated conservatively. Unstable tear or large tear needs surgical intervention done with arthroscope in form of meniscus repair and balancing.