From Start to End: Know Everything About Torn Meniscus
If you are experiencing knee pain, it might be due to a torn meniscus. A Torn Meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries faced by athletes or individuals who play sports frequently. Unannounced twisting moments, like running to catch a ball, playing cricket, or any other sport that requires pressure on your knees, can tear the cartilage. Also, individuals with knee arthritis are more prone to a torn meniscus.
Furthermore, you are on the right page if you want to know all the precise details about it. On this page, we will discuss all key pointers under a torn meniscus, like its types, symptoms, causes, treatment, and many more. So, read this write-up till the end to get precise information.

What is a Torn Meniscus?
A torn meniscus is the most common knee injury that mainly affects athletes or individuals who indulge in sports on a daily basis. Any activity that asks you to twist or rotate your knee forcefully, especially when applying body pressure to it, can lead to a meniscus tear. Furthermore, each of your knees has two C-shaped cupped cartilage pieces that act like a soft cushion between your thighbone and shinbone. Additionally, you may find it difficult to move your knees and have problems extending your knees completely to walk or do activities. Moreover, each knee has two pieces of C-shaped cartilage:
- On the inside of the knee, it is the medial meniscus.
- On the outside of the knee, it is the lateral meniscus.
Therefore, both C-shaped cartilage helps to keep your knees stable.

What are the Types of Meniscus Tears?
There are multiple torn meniscus types, depending on their shape and location. Nevertheless, the location of the knees can be seen when an individual opts for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test suggested by the doctor, which uses powerful radio and magnetic waves. Thus, it can make detailed images of the knee. Here we have mentioned the types of meniscus tears:
- Medial Meniscus Tear
- Lateral Meniscus Tear
- Bucket Handle Meniscus Tear
- Radial Tear
- Posterior Horn Medial Meniscus Tear
- Meniscus Degenerative Tear
How Common are Torn Meniscus?
A torn meniscus is a widespread sports injury. Athletes and individuals who play sports for fun or as a professional career often get meniscus tears. Also, the injury commonly impacts the quality of life, especially for those individuals who have knee arthritis. Google’s report says a torn meniscus affects 65 out of every 100,000 individuals in India.
What are the Significant Symptoms of a Torn Meniscus?
People who are suffering from a torn meniscus often experience a popping feeling in their knees at the time of the injury. Moreover, other significant symptoms of a torn meniscus are mentioned below:
- Knee Swelling
- A popping feeling during the knee injury
- Pain in the Knee
- Knee Stiffness
- Limited Mobility or Immobility
- Facing a hard time when bending and straightening the leg
- Experiencing like your knee might pass out beneath you
- The knee got stuck or locked up
- Feeling of your knee giving way

What are the Imperative Causes of a Torn Meniscus?
A meniscus tear occurs when you suddenly twist your upper leg while your foot is still in position and your knee is bent, or change direction while running. These tears usually happen together with a knee injury, e.g., ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury. Occasionally, a torn cartilage piece is broken and wedged in the knee joint, making the knee lock.
Nevertheless, as you grow older, the meniscus also gets weak. Therefore, you might get a strain from making an unexpected turn when you stand up from the chair. More than 40 percent of individuals 70 or older have had a torn meniscus. Furthermore, it is one of the situations in which the majority of individuals opt for joint replacement surgeries suggested by their doctors.
Progressive Exercise Program After the Healing Process
Thereafter, we take a record of patients’ well-being under a progressive exercise program. It keeps an eye on the patient’s daily activities, such as:
- Motion exercises
- Strengthening motion and exercises
- Balance training
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Challenges that the patients are facing and so on
The therapy helps patients to improve after the surgery while constant report about the patient helps doctors understand the recovery of the patient.

Diagnosis of a Torn Meniscus
When you visit your healthcare provider, the primary step they will take is to examine your knees physically, searching for signs of swelling. They will test your range of motion using the Thessaly and McMurray tests. Additionally, to know the exact reasons and causes of your torn meniscus, your healthcare provider might recommend getting some imaging tests, such as X-rays or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
Moreover, your doctor might suggest knee arthroscopy for a better view and precise diagnosis of your knee injury. During this treatment process, the surgeon inserts a tiny portable camera called an arthroscope through a small incision into your knee.
Effective Treatment of a Torn Meniscus
A torn meniscus might heal without opting for surgery. However, it entirely depends on the size and affected area of your meniscus tear. Your doctor might suggest that you take NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), like aspirin or ibuprofen, to lower pain and reduce swelling. You should follow the first medical home remedy, RICE, to prevent your knee injury. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
1. Rest
After encountering a knee injury, the first thing you must do is remove excessive body weight and rest for a sufficient amount of time for recovery.
2. Ice
Place an ice pack or wrap some ice cubes in a soft cotton cloth on your knee for about 20 to 25 minutes. Do not forget to repeat this at least 3-4 times throughout the day.
3. Compression
After treating your knee injury with an ice pack, wrap the injured knee area with a compression bandage to help decrease swelling and relieve pain.
4. Elevation
Afterwards, rest with your leg raised higher than your heart area to reduce swelling rapidly.
Additionally, your healthcare provider might suggest some simple exercises or offer a physiotherapy session to strengthen your knee and improve your range of motion.
How to Prevent a Torn Meniscus?
When it comes to meniscus tears, they are one of the toughest to prevent since they are usually the outcome of a sudden incident, injury, or accident. However, you must take some effective precautions that reduce the risks of knee injury. Furthermore, here we have mentioned some effective pointers that state the prevention of a torn meniscus:
- Do regular exercises to keep your muscles strong.
- Before exercising, ensure that your body is warmed up.
- Do not forget to rest between the exercises. Exhausted muscles can increase the risk of injury.
- Wear the right footwear that provides support and fits correctly.
- Maintain your body flexibility.
- Wear a knee brace if you know your knee is weak or if you have limited mobility.
- Never suddenly increase the pace of your exercises. Make significant changes slowly.

When Should You Call a Healthcare Provider?
The pointers mentioned below show the effective time to call your healthcare provider:
- When you can not straighten your leg or bend it properly, you experience knee pain.
- When swelling does not go away even after applying RICE treatment and taking prescribed medicines.
- Feel like your knee joint locks up and may fall under you.
Questions You Must Ask Your Healthcare Provider
- How Severe is the Tear in my Meniscus?
- Is the Tear Likely to Heal on Its Own?
- Do I Need Physiotherapy for my Torn Meniscus?
- Do I Need Surgery to Repair or Remove the Torn Meniscus?
- When will I be able to get back to full activity?
- What are the signs of worsening instead of healing?
Wrapping It Up!
We hope this write-up provided you with all the precise details about a torn meniscus. Whether you are suffering from a meniscus tear or knee arthritis, you must search for the best orthopedic and health centre near me, which is none other than Kush Orthopedic & Health Centre. We have a team of experienced and skilled doctors who offer the best medical assistance in Ghaziabad. Whether it’s a small or large tear, our doctors ensure that it is treated within the respective timeframe. We understand there are countless options available on the internet, but end-to-end treatment is one of the best assistants that sets it apart. Whether you need consultation with our top-notch doctors or surgery, you will get all medical assistance under one roof. So, what are you waiting for? Book your consultation Today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can in most cases. You might not experience any pain the first time you tear your meniscus. However, your knees might get swollen and stiff for 2 to 3 days. Ensure to visit your doctor immediately when facing such a situation.
Depending on the affected part of the knee and how huge the tear is, it might not get better by treating with home remedies and the doctor’s suggestions. If it does not and you do not treat it, the pain eventually gets worse. You might feel difficulty and stiffness when you walk or stand. Further, it will impact doing daily chores and activities, or playing your favourite sports.
Yes, it can! It happens because your calf may be overcompensating for your knee when you do your daily chores or simply walk. Additionally, you may experience extreme calf pain after meniscus surgery, which eventually fades away when you completely heal.