Diseases

Torn Meniscus

Back

Any activity that causes you to forcefully twist or rotate your knee, especially when putting your full weight on it, can lead to a torn meniscus. Each of your knees has two menisci — c-shaped pieces of cartilage that act like a cushion between your shinbone and your thighbone

SYMPTOMS

If you've torn your meniscus, you might have the following signs and symptoms in your knee:

a popping sensation
swelling or stiffness
pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee
difficulty straightening your knee fully
feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it

CAUSES

A torn meniscus can result from any activity that causes you to forcefully twist or rotate your knee, such as aggressive pivoting or sudden stops and turns. Even kneeling, deep squatting or lifting something heavy can sometimes lead to a torn meniscus. In Older adults, degenerative changes of the knee can contribute to a torn meniscus with little or no trauma.