What is a meniscal (cartilage) tear?

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage in the middle of your knee. Cartilage is tough, smooth, rubbery tissue that lines and cushions the surface of the joints. There is a meniscus on the inner side of your knee (the medial meniscus) and a meniscus on the outer side (the lateral meniscus). They attach to the top of the shin bone (tibia), make contact with the thigh bone (femur), and act as shock absorbers during weight-bearing activities.
 

How does it occur?

A meniscal tear can occur when the knee is forcefully twisted or occasionally with minimal or no trauma, such as when you are squatting.

What are the symptoms?

You may have pain in your knee joint. You may have immediate swelling with fluid in the joint, called an effusion. You may be unable to fully bend or straighten your leg. Your knee may lock or get stuck in one place. You may hear a snap or pop at the time of the injury. A chronic (old) meniscal tear may give you pain on and off during activities, with or without swelling. Your knee may occasionally lock and you may have stiffness in the knee.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will examine your knee and find that you have tenderness along the joint line. Your doctor will move your knee in several ways that may cause pain along the injured meniscal surface. Your doctor may order x-rays to see if there are injuries to the bones in your knee, but a meniscal tear will not show up on a x-ray. An MRI is sometimes useful in diagnosing a meniscal tear.

How is it treated?

Treatment may include:

• Applying ice to your knee for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 or 3 days or until the pain and swelling are gone

• Elevating your knee by placing a pillow underneath your leg

• Wrapping an elastic bandage around your knee to keep the swelling from getting worse

• Wearing a knee immobilizer or other brace to prevent further injury

• Using crutches

• Taking anti-inflammatory or pain medication prescribed by your doctor