A meniscus injury, sometimes called torn knee cartilage, is a common injury to the fibrous tissue in your knee, in which this protective cartilage that serves as a shock absorber between the thigh and shinbone is torn. This can happen with a sudden, awkward twisting of the knee. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, athletes who play contact sports are most susceptible, but this injury can also occur in older patients due to cartilage degeneration over time. If you suspect you have a torn meniscus, see your doctor.
Pain
You may feel a sudden, sharp wrenching pain and then pain and tenderness, which worsens over the following two to three days. The All-Sport Orthopaedic Surgery website states that the pain will be more severe when twisting the knee or squatting, and the tenderness will center over the joint corresponding to the torn meniscus. MayoClinic.com advises taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, to alleviate the pain of a torn meniscus.
Swelling
Another primary sign of a meniscus injury is swelling around the knee. MayoClinic.com advises treating swelling with the RICE system: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Sit with your leg higher than your heart, and use an elastic bandage for compression and an ice pack for 15 minutes at a time every four to six hours for the first two days, then as needed. To avoid frostbite, don't allow the ice pack to directly contact your skin.
Stiffness
Your knee will feel stiff, without its usual range of motion. MayoClinic.com explains that you may have difficulty straightening it and experience a catching or locked sensation, in which it feels as if free movement in the knee has been blocked.
Popping or Clicking Sound
At the moment that you experience the meniscal tear, you may hear a sharp pop. When your doctor examines the knee, there may also be a clicking sound when he bends the knee and then straightens and rotates it; the AAOS notes that this technique, called the McMurray test, is often used to help diagnose a meniscal tear.
Instability
A meniscal injury often causes the knee to feel unstable, as if it is giving way or wobbling or will not support your weight. The AAOS reports that although certain meniscal tears must be surgically repaired to prevent the torn piece from detaching and making its way into a joint, many can be treated nonsurgically, especially if the knee is stable. Consult your doctor for diagnosis.
