Knee joint showing lateral meniscus tear
Overview of Meniscus Tear (Knee)
Meniscus tear is the most common knee injury. Â Athletes those play contact sports and involved in cutting movement are at risk for meniscal tears. Knee joint is formed by thigh bone, shinbone and knee cap. Meniscus is wedge-shaped cartilage between thighbone and shinbone. There are two menisci medial meniscus in inner aspect and lateral meniscus in outer aspect of joint. Function of meniscus is to distribute forces on bone surfaces, act like shock absorber and give stability to knee joint. So they are like cushion discs inside knee joint.
Meniscus tear occurs in -
- Sports injury – contact sports, sudden tackle , twisting of thigh bone  in squat position.
- Non traumatic – elder people with weak and worn-out meniscus (degenerative meniscus), awkward twist of leg while getting up from chair. Associated with other knee injury- like anterior cruciate ligament tear.
While the knee twisting occurs, you might feel a "pop" followed by painful knee movement and swelling. The most common symptoms of meniscus tear are:
- Pain and local swelling.
- Stiffness - not able to move your  knee through its full range of motion.
- Catching or locking of your knee.
The sensation of your knee "giving way".
Do you feel repeated locking of knee and suspect a meniscal tear?
You can consult Dr. Abhijit Ranaware (Knee and sports injury Specialist)
Book Appointment by Filling Form Below:
How do you know if you have meniscus tear?
Dr. Abhijit Ranaware will ask for history of traumatic event causing meniscus tear and examine knee with feeling of pain at joint line.  He will also bend and rotate the knee and feel for any click while straightening knee, – McMurray’s test. Dr. Abhijit Ranaware may advise following investigations in suspected meniscus tear.
X-rays – to see for any knee arthritis along with joint alignment.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) – to confirm meniscus injury.