Do I Have A Meniscus Tear?

Do you have pain in your knee?

Did you experience a popping sensation during the injury?

Has your knee started swelling?

Is there a tendency for your knee to get "stuck" or lock up?

Do you have difficulty bending and straightening the leg?

Based on your answers, it’s unlikely that you have a meniscus tear. Your meniscus is a piece of cartilage in the knee that cushions and stabilizes the joint. It protects your bones from wear and tear. However, to tear the meniscus, it may only take a good twist of the knee. A meniscus tear can be painful and debilitating and is a common injury. Luckily, in your case, there seem to be no reasons to be worried about a meniscus tear.

Based on your answers, you are displaying some signs related to a meniscus tear. Meniscus tears are, unfortunately, common in sports requiring jumping and cutting, including soccer and volleyball. A meniscus tear can happen when someone changes direction suddenly while running. A meniscus tear often occurs together with other knee injuries, like an ACL injury. Make sure to visit your doctor to get a thorough exam. X-rays may be necessary, as well as an MRI scan.

Unfortunately, you are displaying the symptoms typically seen among individuals who have a meniscus tear. Treatment for this type of injury depends on the size and location of the tear. Besides, it also depends on age, activity level, and other injuries. The good news is that not all meniscal tears require surgery. If your knee is stable, not locking up, and symptoms improve, a surgery may not be needed. To speed the recovery, you can do the following: rest the knee, ice your knee, compress it, elevate it, and take anti-inflammatory medications. Also, you may want to stretch, use strengthening exercises, and avoid running and jumping.