It's prickly, it's juicy, and it's got something your sore knees may love.

We're talking about pineapple. An ingredient found in pineapple --bromelain -- may help speed joint recovery. That's because bromelain has shown anti-inflammatory abilities in studies. RealAge doctors Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen recommend taking 100 milligrams once a day if your knees feel stiff.

While you often hear about the knee injuries of professional athletes who tear their anterior cruciate ligament, the more common knee injury for those of us who do (or don't) play with a pigskin is a torn meniscus. Here's an illustration of what a torn meniscus may look like.

Your meniscus, which is a piece of cartilage in the middle of your knee, not only acts as a shock absorber but also has several other functions. It helps lubricate the joint by increasing the surface area of the cartilage; it adds stability to the joint because it's shaped like a suction cup, which keeps the round femur on

Need a good over-the-counter medicine for knee pain? RealAge can recommend one. Just answer these questions about your symptoms.

top of the flat tibia; and it helps produce synovial fluid to feed the cells of the cartilage.

The meniscus can tear from traumatic injury, but it can also tear from overuse and doing simple movements like squatting. When it tears, it leads to inflammation and a lot of pain. Doctors can detect a tear using an MRI. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory medication, ice, and aggressive rehabilitation. And, if all else fails, arthroscopic surgery. (See what this surgery entails.)

The best way to protect your meniscus and all the other bits and pieces that make up your knee joint is to strengthen the muscles of your legs, specifically your quads and hamstrings. Get stronger now with the RealAge 20-minute workout.

Do you have knee osteoarthritis? Answer these questions about your knee symptoms for personalized suggestions on caring for your achy joints.