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Knee Injuries: Signs of a Torn Knee Meniscus

Last updated: Thursday, August 13, 2020 | 2 min reading time

Dr Cheung Tin Lung Alan

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Knee injuries: Signs that you have a torn knee meniscus

A torn meniscus is one of the most common injuries of the knee. The knee meniscus is a cartilage that protects the knee by cushioning it against impact and stresses. A torn meniscus can severely impair your daily movement and activities. As the meniscus has a function to protect the joint cartilage, left untreated, the tear can worsen and lead to early onset of arthritis.

What are the common causes?

Tearing of the meniscus can occur with forceful twisting of the knee from sudden pivoting or turning movements. This frequently occurs during contact sports such as soccer, or in sports requiring sudden changes in movement such as basketball and tennis. Deep squatting or kneeling, especially while lifting heavy objects, can also lead to a torn meniscus.

Among older adults, degenerative changes in the knee can lead to tearing of the meniscus. The daily wear and tear of the meniscus causes it to become less resilient and more prone to damage.

What are the symptoms?

A torn knee meniscus can manifest as any of the following:

Buckling sensation or feeling that the knee is giving way
Difficulty in straightening the knee
Feeling that the knee is "stuck" or locked in place
Hearing or feeling a "pop" in the knee
Knee pain
Swelling of the knee joint

What are the complications?

A torn meniscus can lead to inability to participate in physical sports and exercise. Some may even experience difficulty in their day-to-day movements. If the injury is left untreated, there can be worsening of the meniscus tear and progression of knee damage. Over time, this may cause arthritis of the knee to develop at an earlier age.

When should you see a doctor?

It is advisable to see a doctor when you develop a knee injury that causes any of the following:

Difficulty in moving the knee
Intense pain or swelling of the knee
Popping, clicking or grinding sound upon moving the knee
Weakness of the knee or feeling of the knee giving way

If you experience any of the above, consult an orthopaedic surgeon to evaluate your condition and understand your treatment options.

Torn meniscus, retrieved on 2 July 2020 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/torn-meniscus/symptoms-causes/syc-20354818. (15 November 2019)

Wedro B. Torn Meniscus, retrieved on 2 July 2020 from https://www.medicinenet.com/torn_meniscus/article.htm. (16 October 2019)

Meniscus Tears: Why You Should Not Let Them Go Untreated, retrieved on 2 July 2020 from https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/musculoskeletal-and-rheumatology/2018/september/meniscus-tears-why-you-should-not-let-them-go-untreated. (17 September 2018)

Torn Meniscus, retrieved on 2 July 2020 from https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/torn-meniscus-a-to-z. (May 2019)

Baker BS. Meniscus Injuries Follow-up, retrieved on 2 July 2020 from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/90661-followup#e5. (12 October 2018)

Meniscus Tears & Treatments, retrieved on 2 July 2020 from https://www.reboundmd.com/news/meniscus-tears-treatments. (n.d.)

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