Sports Knee Injuries / The Knee
Meniscus Tear
A torn meniscus occurs usually during movements that forcefully rotate the knee while bearing weight. A partial or complete tear of a meniscus sometimes occurs if an athlete quickly twists or rotates the upper leg while the foot is firmly planted. This often occurs in field sports such as soccer and football.
An injured or torn meniscus causes mild to severe pain (particularly when the knee is straightened) depending upon the extent of the tear. Severe pain is common when a torn meniscus fragment catches between the femur and tibia. Swelling is common at the time of injury, but can develop much later. Frequently, an injury to the meniscus causes an audible click or pop, or the knee may lock, or feel weak. If the meniscus injury is small, these symptoms may resolve over time without treatment, but some meniscus injuries may benefit from surgical treatment.