Understanding Knee Injuries: The Menisci
Knee Meniscus Injury: How to Identify, Treat, and Recover from a Tear
In last week’s post, we finished discussing the four major knee ligaments: ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL. Today, we will continue to discuss knee injuries with two structures that are commonly injured in conjunction with the four major knee ligaments. These structures are not ligaments but are cartilage that play a vital role in how our knee performs – the Medial and Lateral Meniscus. As we have done previously, I will summarize these structures and their respective injuries, how tears occur, associated symptoms, and generally how recovery/rehabilitation works.
What Is the Meniscus?
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of fibrocartilage located in your knee joint. Each knee has two menisci— the medial meniscus (on the inner side of the knee) and the lateral meniscus (on the outer side of the knee). Together they serve several important functions, such as shock absorption, increasing joint stability, and lubrication. Additionally, they aid in load distribution and joint proprioception (awareness). All aspects that are important when you walk, run, jump, or squat.
What Causes a Meniscus Tear?
There are two main types:
- Acute tears: Often caused by injury or trauma, especially during sports.
- Degenerative tears: More common in older adults due to cartilage thinning with age.
Meniscus tears can occur from:
- Sudden twisting or pivoting (common in sports like soccer, basketball, or skiing)
- Deep squatting or heavy lifting
- Aging and wear-and-tear, which can weaken the meniscus over time
Signs and Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear
A torn meniscus doesn’t always cause immediate pain. Yet, common signs and symptoms we see in the clinic include a popping sensation at the time of injury, accompanied by swelling and stiffness. Patients tend to describe pain in the knee (especially with twisting), a feeling that the knee is “giving way” or cannot support weight. There may also be a sensation of locking or catching in the knee, accompanied by difficulty fully straightening the leg.
Treatment Options
Due to the wide array of meniscus tears, treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as your age, activity level, and overall health. Generally, meniscus tears are treated conservatively with initial pain control and physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles, restore range of motion and increase knee stability to return to sports/daily activities safely. This approach works well for minor or degenerative tears, especially if symptoms are manageable.
Surgical interventions are typically performed when there is a large tear, obvious locking/catching, or when the meniscus doesn’t improve with conservative care.
Conclusion
A meniscus tear may sound daunting, but most people make a full recovery and return to their normal activities. If you’re dealing with knee pain or instability, don’t ignore it; listen to your body, and seek care early. Consult with one of the physiotherapists at Kamloops Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre, as they can guide you through a specific, individualized rehabilitation program that will improve your chances of a full recovery.
This blog post was written by physiotherapist Jacob Coelho. To book an appointment with Jacob or one of our other experienced therapists, call 250-314-0788.