Meniscus tear
What is a meniscus tear?
One of the most common knee injuries is a torn meniscus, a tear in the cartilage that cushions the knee. Cartilage acts as a shock absorber between the shinbone (tibia) and thighbone (femur). Left untreated, a meniscus tear can lead to knee instability and chronic pain.
Meniscus tears can happen to both children and adults, often affecting athletes in contact sports as well as older adults. Orthopaedic doctors specializing in knee injuries typically treat meniscus tears. At Penn Orthopaedics, our knee pain specialists bring experience and expertise in treating meniscus tears and other knee conditions.
Symptoms of a torn meniscus
Meniscus tears don’t always cause immediate symptoms. Sometimes, a sharp pain and a popping sound may occur at the time of injury. Other times, swelling in the knee joint develops over a few hours, making it difficult to move the knee.
Common meniscus tear symptoms include:
- A popping sensation during the injury
- Swelling or stiffness in the knee
- Pain, especially when twisting or rotating the knee
- Difficulty straightening the knee fully
- A locked feeling in the knee joint
Left untreated, a meniscus tear can limit regular movement and your ability to exercise or play sports. In serious cases, it can develop into long-term knee problems such as arthritis.
What causes a meniscus tear?
While the knee joint is strong, it’s not very flexible, particularly when it comes to twisting. Forceful twisting, squatting, and rapid changes in direction can tear the cartilage. Additionally, age-related degeneration can weaken the meniscus, making it more susceptible to tears in older adults.
Diagnosing a torn meniscus
The first step in treating a torn meniscus is a consultation with an orthopaedic specialist. During the exam, they may check the tenderness of your knee joint and move your leg to get a measure of your knee’s range of motion. They may also order tests to determine the extent of the tear.
How are meniscus tears treated?
Treatment for meniscus tears typically starts with conservative measures like rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication. Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around the knee. However, if pain and stiffness persist, your healthcare provider may recommend other treatments including knee surgery, which is often performed using minimally invasive techniques to treat meniscus tears.
Preventing a meniscus tear
Preventing accidental injuries can be difficult, but you can lower your risk of a meniscus tear with a few precautions. Strengthening the muscles around your knee, wearing a knee brace if it’s unstable, gradually increasing workout intensity, and wearing the right athletic shoes can all help protect your knees.
Leading innovation and compassionate care
Each year, people from across the country and the world come to Penn Medicine for treatment from our orthopaedic knee surgery experts. We’re leaders in state-of-the-art research, clinical trials, advanced imaging, and surgical techniques. Our orthopaedic knee surgeons are known not only for their meticulously planned treatment recommendations but also for their compassionate care.
We treat all types of knee conditions, from the most common to the rare and complex, in people of all ages and activity levels. Additionally, we offer specialized care at the Center for the Female Athlete focused on active women and their injuries—the only multidisciplinary center of its kind in the southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey regions and one of the few in the country.