Meniscus Tears Symptoms & Test

A meniscus tear occurs when the rubbery, C-shaped disc that cushions part of your knee is injured by twisting or sudden movement. There are two menisci (plural of meniscus) in your knee, one on each side. These discs cushion the space between your femur and shin bones and are situated just behind and below the kneecap.

What Causes a Meniscus Tear? 

Unfortunately, meniscus tears are not difficult to accomplish and are one of the most common orthopedic injuries – especially for athletes. Because there are two menisci in each knee, they are designed to stabilize the knee as you move. But because they are made of cartilage, any severe twist or rapid movement that strains the knee can tear the meniscus.

Even moving quickly out of a squatting position can do it, and so can getting tackled on the football field. The severity of the tear depends on the severity of the trauma, as well as individual health.

What are Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear?

Many people describe hearing a popping noise from their knee when they turn too quickly or have a sudden impact with an object or person. Others feel a slipping sensation, almost like their kneecap is unable to move properly. After the initial trauma, people with a meniscus tear notice:

• Knee pain when it’s touched
• Swelling
• Difficulty moving or decreased range of motion
• Feeling unstable when standing
• Inability to stand
• Knee “locking” or “catching” as you move

Again, the symptoms often depend on the cause of the trauma; someone who gets hit on the football field may have more swelling and pain than someone who just stood up from a squatting position too quickly.

But if you notice knee pain, hearing a popping or feel that “locking” sensation, you should go to a doctor as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis. There are a number of other things the injury could be, so it’s important to get the right information.

Diagnosing a Meniscus Tear

The first step any doctor will make before diagnosing you with a meniscus tear is a physical exam. They will:

• Test your range of motion and check where the meniscus is located near your joint for any obvious signs of damage to that area.
• Possibly perform a McMurray test, where you bend your knee and then straighten it while rotating your leg. Hearing a pop during this test can indicate meniscus tear.

If physical examination leads the doctor to suspect a meniscus tear, he or she will order imaging tests to be sure. This includes:

• X-ray
• MRI
• Ultrasound

Rarely, if those methods don’t work, an arthroscopy may be used. An arthroscopy is a scope inserted into the knee to gain a visual of the actual meniscus and surrounding area.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Before a knee can be properly diagnosed and treated, you need to see a professional for meniscus tear testing and imaging. This way, doctors will know exactly what they’re dealing with and how to treat it.

Orthopedic Corner | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201  Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119