Meniscus Tear

There are two menisci, the medial and lateral, which act as cushions between the femur and tibia. While acute tears occur due to external torsional forces, such as sports injuries, degenerative tears result from the accumulation of repetitive compression and rotational stress. As squatting, climbing stairs, and walking for long periods are repeated, the pressure concentrated on the medial meniscus causes microcracks. Elevated BMI, lower limb misalignment (bowlegs), and quadriceps weakness are also risk factors. Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective

In Korean medicine, it is believed that the kidneys nourish bones, while the liver nourishes muscles and ligaments. After the age of 40, if kidney energy weakens, bones and cartilage deteriorate, leading to a loss of elasticity; conversely, insufficient blood supply to the liver reduces the flexibility of muscles and tendons. Furthermore, if circulation within the knee becomes stagnant, localized inflammation and pain recur. After confirming this background, Dongjedang approaches treatment by simultaneously restoring internal organ function, moving beyond simple pain relief to improve the environment surrounding the cartilage.