It is fused with the tibial collateral ligament which makes it far less mobile than the lateral meniscus.

Doctors call this site the “red zone” because this outer portion of the meniscus is highly vascularized; therefore, it receives the amount of nutrients and support needed for a successful recovery.

Considering these facts, doctors consider different treatments to different kinds of tears:[3] If the meniscus has to be removed (menisectomy) because of injury (either because it cannot heal or because the damage is too severe), the patient has an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee later in life.

More chronic injury occurs with osteoarthritis, made worse by obesity and high-impact activity.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 343 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)