When knee pain starts slowing you down, it can be hard to know exactly what’s going on. For many patients at OrthoUnited, the issue turns out to be a torn meniscus.
A torn meniscus is a common but frustrating injury that affects your ability to walk, bend, or stay active. Whether it’s the result of a sudden movement or years of wear and tear, knowing the causes and symptoms of a torn meniscus is the first step toward relief.
What Is the Meniscus?
Your knee is made up of bones, ligaments, cartilage, and soft tissue. The meniscus is a piece of rubbery cartilage that acts like a shock absorber between your thigh bone (femur) and shinbone (tibia).
Each knee has two menisci: one on the inner side and one on the outer. The cartilage helps stabilize your knee and cushion the joint as you move.
When the meniscus tears, it can cause pain, swelling, and instability. You may feel a “pop” at the moment of injury, or notice symptoms gradually if the tear happens over time.
Common Causes of Meniscus Tears
Meniscus tears happen for different reasons, depending on your age, activity level, and overall knee health.
From years of research and surgically treating patients, Dr. Neil Soehnlen identified the following to be the most common reasons behind meniscus tears.
1. Sudden Movements or Trauma
One of the most common causes is a sudden twist or turn while the foot is planted — often during sports or physical activity. This is especially true for athletes in sports like soccer, football, or basketball.
2. Aging and Degeneration
As we age, the cartilage in our joints becomes weaker and thinner, making us prone to meniscus tears. These degenerative tears aren’t always the result of a single injury. Rather, they develop gradually and may be part of broader joint damage from arthritis.
3. Overuse or Repetitive Stress
Jobs or activities that involve frequent squatting, kneeling, or lifting can wear down the meniscus over time. Combined with other risk factors like excess weight or poor biomechanics, this repetitive stress can lead to injury.
4. Previous Knee Injuries
If you’ve had past injuries to the knee, your risk of tearing the meniscus is higher. This is because instability in the joint or weakened tissue can make it easier for new damage to occur.
Recognizing the Symptoms
A torn meniscus doesn’t always feel the same for every person, but there are a few common symptoms to watch for:
- Pain along the inside or outside of the knee joint
- Swelling that develops over several hours or days
- Stiffness or trouble fully bending or straightening the knee
- Clicking, catching, or locking when you move your knee
- Feeling like the knee is giving out
If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms, especially after an injury or repetitive stress, schedule a consultation online with our knee and hip specialists today.
Risk Factors for Meniscus Tears
There are five factors that can increase your chances of a meniscus tear:
- Aging: The cartilage becomes more fragile over time
- Excess body weight: More weight adds stress to your joints
- Poor conditioning or muscle weakness: With muscle weakness comes reduced joint stability, especially with age.
- High-impact activities: High force absorption and weight-bearing increase wear and tear on the knees
- Genetics or family history of joint issues: Those with a family history of knee problems are 40% more likely to develop a torn meniscus.
By understanding and managing these risks, you can take steps to protect your knees from future damage.
What To Do If You Suspect a Tear
At OrthoUnited, we offer a wide range of tools to evaluate and treat knee injuries. This may include:
- Physical examination
- X-rays or MRI to confirm the diagnosis
- Non-surgical treatments like physical therapy, NSAIDs, or cortisone injections
Many meniscus tears, especially those tied to arthritis, can be managed without surgery. However, not all tears are the same.
Some are more complex or painful and may require surgical repair.
How To Protect Your Knees Moving Forward
A torn meniscus doesn’t need to be the end of an active lifestyle. According to Dr. Zachary Stender, here are some ways to manage the symptoms and protect your knees:
- Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or cycling
- Strengthening muscles around the knee with exercises like squats or leg presses
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Using proper technique during physical activity and warming up beforehand
- Listening to your body and resting when you feel discomfort
Do You Suspect a Torn Meniscus? See One of Our Specialists
If your knee pain isn’t getting better, don’t wait. The earlier you get a diagnosis, the more options you have, especially when it comes to avoiding long-term damage.
Our orthopaedic specialists at OrthoUnited are here to help you understand what’s going on and what to do next.
Don’t let knee pain take over your life. If you think you may have a torn meniscus, schedule an appointment online with one of our specialists today!
