What is a Meniscus Tear?

Your knee is formed by the junction of three bones: the thighbone (femur), the shinbone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella), as well as the soft tissue that connects them. Between your femur and your tibia are two C-shaped discs of cartilage that act as shock absorbers for the bones and help keep your knee stable. These are your menisci (plural of meniscus), and they can be torn, particularly if the knee twists suddenly while it is bent.

Viewed from the front or back, the meniscus is wedge shaped. This shape helps keep the rounded surface of your femur from sliding off the flat top of your tibia. The outer edges of this wedge receive a good supply of blood, and tears in this part of the meniscus heal well on their own. The inner part of the meniscus, however, has no direct blood supply. Tears in this area can require surgery to correct. Cause — Sudden meniscal tears often happen during sports. Players may squat and twist the knee, causing a tear. Direct contact, like a tackle, is sometimes involved.

Older people are more likely to have degenerative meniscal tears. Cartilage weakens and wears thin over time. Aged, worn tissue is more prone to tears. Just an awkward twist when getting up from a chair may be enough to cause a tear, if the menisci have weakened with age.

Symptoms of Meniscus Tear

The Symptoms of a torn meniscus will vary depending on the severity of the tear. Someone who gets a minor tear may only have slight pain and swelling that goes away after 2 or 3 weeks. Moderate to severe tears also might cause these symptoms:

• A “pop” in the knee when the tear occurs.
• Pain in the center or side of the knee, especially when twisting the knee or squatting.
  
• Limited Range of Motion.
  
• The feeling as if the knee is locking or popping when bending; it might not straighten.

• The Knee feeling like it is giving way (not able to bear body weight) without warning.

Diagnosis of Meniscus Tear

Physical Examination and Patient History : After discussing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will examine your knee. He or she will check for tenderness along the joint line where the meniscus sits. This often signals a tear.

One of the main tests for meniscal tears is the McMurray test. Your doctor will bend your knee, then rotate and straighten. This puts tension on a torn meniscus. If you have a meniscal tear, this movement will cause a clicking sound. Your knee will click each time your doctor does the test.

Imaging Tests : Because other knee problems cause similar symptoms, your doctor may order imaging tests to help confirm the diagnosis.

• X-rays : Although X-rays do not show meniscal tears, they may show other causes of knee pain, such as osteoarthritis.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) : This study can create better images of the soft tissues of your knee joint.