Posterior root of medial meniscus

The posterior root of the medial meniscus is the region where the medial meniscus attaches to the tibial plateau at its posterior aspect on the posterior intercondylar area. This root serves as a critical anchor point, allowing the meniscus to convert axial loads into circumferential (hoop) stresses, thereby maintaining normal knee biomechanics and distributing compressive forces across the joint. The attachment center is located approximately 9.6 mm posterior and 0.7 mm lateral to the medial tibial eminence apex, and about 8.2 mm from the nearest tibial attachment margin of the posterior cruciate ligament.

Disruption of the posterior root—such as by avulsion or a radial tear within 1 cm of the root—compromises meniscal function, leading to meniscal extrusion, increased tibiofemoral contact pressures, and accelerated cartilage degeneration, which can mimic the biomechanical consequences of a total meniscectomy.