I tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in my knee back in high school. When my doctor went in to fix the ACL, he had to take the meniscus out because it was torn. I’m only 30 years old now, and I’m starting to feel stiffness and pain in my knee. Am I going to end up with arthritis in my knee?

Not necessarily. But people who tear the meniscus or damage the joint cartilage in an ACL injury are more likely to have problems later. This is because healthy meniscus and joint cartilage helps cushion and steady the knee. If the meniscus has to be taken out surgically, the joint tends to lose some of its stability, and the extra movement inside can take a toll on the joint.

You can take action now to reduce the chances of future problems by avoiding activities that put a lot of strain on the knee, especially sports that require cutting, jumping, and quick starts and stops. Exercises to maintain movement and strength in the knee can help ease pain and protect the joint. Be sure to talk with your doctor about other ways you can improve the health of your knee.