Meniscus Tears
Also known as: knee tears, torn meniscus.
What are meniscus tears?
Meniscus is the cartilage in the knee that cushions the joint between the thighbone and shinbone. A tear in this cartilage can cause several symptoms and complications and is known as a meniscus tear. It’s one of the most common knee injuries.
What causes meniscus tears?
Most meniscus tears occur due to a direct injury, such as from playing sports. The meniscus can also get weak and thin over time and is more prone to tears as a person ages.
What are the symptoms of meniscus tears?
A meniscus tear can cause swelling, stiffness, pain, trouble moving the knee, or a catching, locking, or “giving way” sensation in the knee.
What are meniscus tear care options?
Minor tears can be treated with rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE) and over-the-counter pain relievers. More severe tears may require surgical correction followed by a period of knee rehabilitation.
Reviewed by: Annie L Casta, MD
This page was last updated on: December 18, 2020 05:06 PM
Learn more about
Knee Ligament Injuries
The knee has four ligaments: MCL, LCL, ACL, and PCL. Injuries to one or more of these ligaments can cause a number of problems.
Learn more
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Injury
A serious type of knee injury, common in kids and adolescents that play sports. This injury can range widely in severity from a minor sprain to a major tear that makes it difficult to walk.
Learn more
