Usually caused by a forceful twisting of the knee, a torn meniscus in the knee can cause pain, swelling, and immobility in the knee. If you think you’ve torn a meniscus in your knee, give us a call today. A torn meniscus is treatable.
What is a Torn Meniscus?
The knee joint has two menisci that provide a cushion between the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). The menisci are C-shaped pieces of cartilage that are located where the two bones meet. When a forceful twisting of the knee occurs, one or both of the menisci can tear, causing pain.
Though a torn meniscus is usually the result of aggressive twisting of the knee, such as with playing sports or heavy lifting, the meniscus can also tear in some people from activity as innocuous as squatting down to pick something off the floor.
Symptoms of a Torn Meniscus
- Pain
- Trouble straightening the knee
- A “locked” feeling in the knee joint
- A popping sensation in the knee
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Instability in the knee
Treatment for a Torn Meniscus
In minor cases, a torn meniscus may heal on its own with rest, ice, and OTC pain medication. But in more severe cases, torn meniscus surgery may be required to restore the full function of the knee. The torn meniscus can be repaired or trimmed in most cases, especially in younger people. For people with advanced degenerative arthritis in addition to a torn meniscus, a knee replacement may be recommended.
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