The meniscus is a small C-shaped cartilage that act as a cushion in the knee joint, it acts as a shock absorber for your knee and provides cushioning for your bones and knee joint.
As you age, the cartilage wears down and gets weakers. Athritis, the breakdown of cartilage in the joint, may also lead to a meniscus tear. It is also a common sports injury.
A meniscus tear may feel like a popped knee, with other symptoms including:
A meniscus tear may happen during a sudden motion in which your knee twists while your foot stays planted on the ground. This happens typically while playing sports. Age or arthritis may also cause the cartilage to wear down, tearing the meniscus from motions as simple as stepping on an uneven surface.
A meniscus tear is a common knee injury that happens to people of any age. Your risk for a meniscus tear increases if you are:
It may be difficult to prevent an accidental meniscus tear, but you can lower your risk by:
Physical examination
Your healthcare provider may ask about your injury and conduct a physical examination to check your knee's range of movement.
Imaging Tests
You may be asked to undergo an MRI to evaluate the extent of your injury and an X-ray to eliminate other causes of knee pain.
