How can you tell the difference between a meniscus tear and arthritis?

The biggest difference between arthritis and a torn meniscus is whether the pain developed over time or following an injury. If your knee pain increases gradually and cannot be placed back to a specific injury you may have arthritis. If your knee pain arose suddenly, you may have a meniscus tear.

What does the pain of a torn meniscus feel like?

A popping sensation. Swelling or stiffness. Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee. Difficulty straightening your knee fully.

Does a torn meniscus hurt all the time?

Do all meniscus tears hurt? Yes, at some point in time most all meniscus tears will hurt. But that doesn't mean they will hurt for a long time. In many cases the pain from a meniscus tear will either improve significantly or go away without surgery.

What does arthritis in the knee feel like?

There are many signs and symptoms of arthritis of the knee: Creaking, clicking, grinding or snapping noises (crepitus). Difficulty walking. Joint pain that changes (gets better or worse) depending on the weather.

What is the difference between osteoarthritis and torn meniscus?

Meniscal tears involve the meniscus which is a shock absorber between the two bones in your knee joint that functions to cushion both bones. Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of the cartilage that covers the ends of your bones within the knee joint.

Can knee arthritis feel like a torn meniscus?

Although their pains may present similarly, arthritis pain is distinctly different from a meniscus tear pain. Arthritis arises slowly, unlike a meniscus tear. Over the years, you may notice that you knees have become “creakier,” are stiffer in the mornings, or feel an increase in pain after activity.

Is a torn meniscus related to arthritis?

A meniscal tear can lead to knee osteoarthritis (OA), but knee OA can also lead to a spontaneous meniscal tear through breakdown and weakening of meniscal structure. A degenerative meniscal lesion in the middle-aged or older patient could suggest early stage knee OA and should be treated accordingly.

How do you test for arthritis in the knees?

Is walking good for arthritis in the knee?

Walking is a fantastic option for many patients with knee arthritis because it is a low-impact activity that does not put undue stress on the joints. Furthermore, walking can increase the knee's range of motion and keep it from becoming overly stiff.

How do I get rid of arthritis in my knees?

Where would your knee hurt with a torn meniscus?

Initial symptoms of a torn meniscus include well-localized pain and swelling in the knee. The pain is usually either on the inner or outer side of the knee, not around the kneecap.

What aggravates a torn meniscus?

You're most likely to injure your meniscus when suddenly twisting or turning while your foot is stationary and planted. You could injure your meniscus while playing sports, such as football, soccer, or baseball. You could also injure your meniscus off the field by lifting heavy boxes or slipping on a wet floor.

How do you check yourself for a torn meniscus?

To test for a lateral meniscus tear (on the outer side of the knee), you'll be asked to turn your toes inward as far as your knees can rotate. You'll then squat and slowly stand up. A click or pain can indicate a meniscus tear.

What mimics a torn meniscus?

Normal anatomic structures that can mimic a tear include the meniscal ligament, meniscofemoral ligaments, popliteomeniscal fascicles, and menisco- meniscal ligament. Anatomic variants and pitfalls that can mimic a tear include discoid meniscus, meniscal flounce, a meniscal ossicle, and chondrocalcinosis.

Does a torn meniscus hurt at night?

The most common problem caused by a torn meniscus is pain. This can be very severe with a combination of an ache and also sharper pains. The pain can be very bad at night. In the majority of cases it improves over six weeks and is much better at three months, although may last longer.

What happens if you leave a torn meniscus untreated?

An untreated meniscus tear can result in the frayed edge getting caught in the joint, causing pain and swelling. It can also result in long term knee problems such as arthritis and other soft tissue damage.

What is the best painkiller for knee pain?

Over-the-counter medications — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — may help ease knee pain. Some people find relief by rubbing the affected knee with creams containing a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, or capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot.

How do I know if my knee pain is serious?

Why is arthritis pain worse at night?

One theory is that the body's circadian rhythm may play a role. In people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the body releases less of the anti-inflammatory chemical cortisol at night, increasing inflammation-related pain.

What are 5 symptoms of arthritis?

What are the early warning signs of arthritis?

Does arthritis hurt all the time?

Pain is chronic when it lasts three to six months or longer, but arthritis pain can last a lifetime. It may be constant, or it may come and go. Chronic pain can make it hard to perform daily activities like cleaning the house, dressing, or looking after your kids.

Can a meniscus tear make arthritis worse?

If not treated, part of the meniscus may come loose and slip into the joint. You may need surgery to restore full knee function. Untreated meniscus tears can increase in size and lead to complications, such as arthritis.

Is walking good for a torn meniscus?

If your doctor has told you that you don't need surgery to repair your torn meniscus, you may be given the green light to walk. However, you'll want to be very careful about movements that might worsen the tear or cause you pain. Avoid squatting and pivoting, which are likely to place too much pressure on the knee.

How long does it take for a torn meniscus to heal without surgery?

Meniscus tears are the most frequently treated knee injuries. Recovery will take about 6 to 8 weeks if your meniscus tear is treated conservatively, without surgery. If your symptoms persist after 3 months or your symptoms become significant, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the tear.