A meniscus (which is often called cartilage) is the structure that sits in the knee between the shinbone and thigh bone and acts as a shock absorber for the legs. There are two menisci in each knee joint: the medial meniscus (inside of knee) and the lateral meniscus (outside of knee).
Meniscus tears are very common, especially among athletes, but can happen to anyone. Sometimes they happen because of simple movements, like getting up too quickly from a squat.
A meniscus usually tears when a person twists their upper leg while the foot is planted, and the knee is bent. These are called traumatic tears. The tears usually happen during sudden movements, moments of high impact, or during awkward, off-balance motion.
Degenerative (atraumatic) tears often occur as you get older. In these cases, small meniscus tears that happen over time aggravate the knee and could require treatment. As the meniscus weakens, traumatic tears can also happen more easily.
You may be at a higher risk for a torn meniscus if you:
The first sign of a meniscus tear is usually a popping sound around the knee joint. Other symptoms of a torn meniscus include:
If your knee locks and you’re unable to bend or straighten the leg completely, you should get medical help right away. You should also contact a health care provider if any of these symptoms continue for more than a few days after you hurt your knee.
The knee is held together by many ligaments (tissue that connects bone to bone) and tendons (tissue that connects muscle to bone).
Other common knee injuries involve ligaments known as the ACL, MCL and PCL. Meniscus tears and ligament injuries all have the same popping sensation when the injury happens. Meniscus tears are more likely to “lock up” the knee, making it difficult to straighten your leg. A ligament tear, however, usually causes the knee to be unstable.
When you tear a meniscus, other tissues or even the joint surface may also be damaged. Your provider will examine your knee and test your range of motion. This may include bending, straightening and rotating your injured knee.
Imaging tests such as X-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will also help your provider figure out the full extent of the injury and determine the best treatment. These tests can provide detailed images of internal tissues, bones and organs onto film, allowing for a precise diagnosis of the meniscus tear and any associated damage or disease in a surrounding ligament.
Your provider will also consider your medical history during the diagnostic process to understand any pre-existing conditions that may impact treatment decisions.
If your meniscal tear is small, your provider may recommend the R.I.C.E. method for a few days while it heals:
Taking an over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin), or a pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol), can help relieve pain and reduce swelling. Physical therapy may also be recommended to strengthen the surrounding muscles as well as your knee’s mobility and stability and reduce pain.
Some meniscus injuries will heal with non-operative treatment. However, if it is an acute tear or you experience prolonged symptoms, surgical treatment may be needed.
If your knee isn’t responding to treatment or if the injury is severe, your doctor may recommend arthroscopic surgery (knee scope surgery). This is a minimally invasive surgery where a tiny camera is inserted into your knee joint to look at it from the inside. The surgeon can then use small instruments attached to the scope to repair the damaged tissue.
Meniscus surgery usually only lasts an hour and is very successful. At-home recovery takes about 2-4 weeks. Physical therapy after the surgery can help you get back to your normal activities faster and stronger.
Like all soft tissue damage, meniscus tears need time to heal. Regardless of treatment, your provider can tell you how long you need to stay on the sidelines before returning to your favorite activity or sport.
Meniscus tears can happen due to an accidental injury, but most are degenerative. However, there are a few things you can do to lower your risk:
If you have a knee injury, contact an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist at Banner Health. You can also take our free Joint Pain Test and learn more about your knee health.
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