When a car crash tears the cushion inside your knee
An orthopedic knee specialist's view of a meniscus tear
Each knee has two menisci. They are wedges of firm cartilage that spread your weight and keep the joint steady. A sudden twist or a blow in a crash can tear one. Afterward the knee may swell, catch, give way or refuse to straighten. Some people can still walk on a torn meniscus. A knee specialist will also check for a broken bone or a torn ligament. [1]
Tell your doctor exactly what the knee does
Be specific about the symptoms. Does the knee click now and then, catch again and again, or lock so it won’t straighten? Note when the swelling started and whether the knee buckles. An X ray can show a bone injury, though it can’t show a meniscus tear. An MRI can look at the meniscus and other soft tissue when the answer will change your care. Before a scan, find out what it would add to the exam. [1]
Treatment depends on the tear and your daily life
A torn meniscus does not always need surgery. The choice depends on your symptoms, where the tear sits, the health of the tissue and any other injuries. What your days demand matters too. Some tears can be sewn back together. Others can be trimmed if they keep causing trouble.
A repair usually means a longer stretch of protecting the knee and a longer rehab plan than trimming. Ask which tissue each option would save. Find out how each one affects the weight you can put on the leg and your return to work. [1]
Signs you should go back sooner
Get the knee checked promptly if it locks and won’t straighten. Do the same if the swelling turns severe or you can’t put weight on the leg. Get urgent care for a foot that turns cold or pale. The same goes for a fever with a hot, swollen joint, or pain that is severe and getting worse. Never force a locked knee straight. [1]
What to ask at your next visit
- Is this a meniscus tear, a ligament injury or both?
- Can this tear heal, or could it be repaired?
- What are my activity limits, and when should I be seen again?
Start a simple knee log
Jot down each time the knee locks, swells or gives way. Bring those notes to your appointment. [1]
Sources and further reading
This article offers general education from an orthopedic knee perspective. A knee that locks or can’t bear weight needs a prompt exam. Your type of tear and any other injuries will guide your treatment.
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