Meniscus Tear
A meniscus tear is an injury to one of the two C-shaped pieces of cartilage that cushion and stabilize your knee joint. These cartilage structures sit between the thighbone and shinbone and help your knee absorb shock and move smoothly.
Meniscus tears can happen from a single injury or develop over time from repetitive stress. You may notice pain, swelling, catching, or difficulty bending and straightening the knee. At Princeton Orthopaedic Associates, our orthopaedic specialists help diagnose the cause of your knee pain and guide treatment options that fit your lifestyle.
What You Should Know About Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a vital shock absorber and stabilizer in the knee. A tear can occur in different locations and patterns, which affects how it heals and what treatments are best. Some tears are small and respond well to rest and physical therapy, while others cause ongoing symptoms that require procedures.
Diagnosis usually includes a physical exam and imaging such as X-rays and/or MRI to evaluate the knee; MRI assesses the cartilage and surrounding soft tissues, while X-rays evaluate bone. Treatment ranges from activity modification and rehabilitation to arthroscopic surgery when symptoms persist or the tear threatens joint health. Recovery depends on the type of tear and the treatment chosen.
What Causes Meniscus Tear?
- Sudden Twisting or Pivoting: A sharp turn or twist of the knee, often during sports, can tear the meniscus.
- Direct Impact: A blow to the knee in a fall or collision can damage the meniscus.
- Degenerative Wear: Over time the meniscus can weaken and develop small tears from regular use and age-related changes.
- Combined Injuries: Tears may accompany ligament injuries, such as an anterior cruciate ligament sprain, increasing the chance of cartilage damage.
What Are the Symptoms of Meniscus Tear?
- Pain:
- Pain is often felt along the joint line where the tear is located and may worsen with twisting or deep squatting.
- Swelling:
- Swelling can develop within a few hours or appear gradually over a day, depending on the injury.
- Stiffness and Limited Motion:
- Your knee may feel stiff and you could have trouble fully straightening or bending it.
- Locking or Catching Sensation:
- A piece of torn cartilage can catch between joint surfaces, making it feel like the knee is stuck or slipping.
- Instability or Weakness:
- Some people feel the knee may give way, especially with turning movements or sudden direction changes.
How Orthopaedic Doctors Diagnose a Meniscus Tear
During your visit we will take a detailed history and examine your knee for tenderness, range of motion, joint line pain, and special tests that reproduce symptoms. We may order imaging to confirm the diagnosis and check for other problems.
X-rays show bone alignment and help rule out arthritis or fractures but do not show the meniscus. MRI provides clear images of soft tissues like cartilage and is often used when symptoms suggest a tear that may need surgical consideration.
Treatment Options for Meniscus Tear
Treatment starts with the least invasive options and moves toward procedures only if symptoms continue. Your orthopaedic specialist will recommend a plan based on the tear type, your activity level, and your goals.
- Conservative Care: Rest, ice, compression, and elevation reduce symptoms. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and a guided physical therapy program help restore motion and strength.
- Injections: In some cases, corticosteroid or other injections are used to reduce inflammation while you rehabilitate the knee.
- Arthroscopic Surgery: When conservative measures do not relieve symptoms, arthroscopic procedures can trim or repair the torn meniscus. Repair is preferred when the tear is in a part of the meniscus that can heal.
- Meniscectomy: Partial removal of the damaged meniscus tissue may be chosen for tears that cannot be repaired, focusing on preserving as much cartilage as possible.
Recovery times vary. After nonoperative care you may resume many activities in weeks, while surgical recovery depends on whether the meniscus was repaired or trimmed and on your rehabilitation progress.
When to Seek Orthopaedic Care for Meniscus Tear
- Persistent Pain and Swelling: If pain or swelling does not improve after a few weeks of home care, an orthopaedic evaluation can determine the cause and next steps.
- Locking or Inability to Move the Knee: If your knee becomes locked or you cannot fully bend or straighten it, seek care promptly because a mechanical problem may need treatment.
- Instability or Frequent Giving Way: Repeated episodes of the knee giving way raise concern for significant cartilage or ligament injury and should be assessed.
- Symptoms After a Traumatic Injury: If symptoms begin after a fall, collision, or a forceful twist, an early orthopaedic exam helps identify damage that may benefit from timely treatment.
At Princeton Orthopaedic Associates we take a patient-centered approach. We explain the findings, review treatment options, and work with you to select the plan that best restores your function and reduces long-term joint risk.
This blog post is meant to be informative and should not act as a self-diagnosis tool. If you’d like to see one of our doctors, please contact us here.
