What part of knee hurts with 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.

How do you know if you have a torn meniscus in your knee?

Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee. Difficulty straightening your knee fully. Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it. Feeling of your knee giving way.

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 a meniscus strain feel like?

The main sign of a torn or strained meniscus is knee pain, that may be accompanied by a feeling of stiffness, swelling and trouble walking or bending the leg. Call your doctor if you have symptoms of a torn meniscus, or if your knee pain inhibits your ability to walk without pain.

Where is meniscus pain felt?

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.

MENISCUS INJURIES: Common Symptoms and Treatment Options for Knee Pain - Dr. Brett Franklin

What can mimic a meniscus tear?

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 is the best pain reliever for a torn meniscus?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Advil, Aleve, or Motrin, will help with pain and swelling.

Will a cortisone shot help a torn meniscus?

A cortisone injection can effectively reduce pain and inflammation in your knee, as in the case of a torn meniscus. It's only a temporary solution to your pain, though. It can't heal your meniscus and may even delay your healing. It also can't prevent you from injuring it again in the future.

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.

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.

Is heat or cold better for torn meniscus?

Too much cold will keep your injury in the same state - slowing down the healing process. This can sometimes make chronic injuries linger even longer. Heat (Circulation Boost) should be used when you suffer from a chronic, tight or stiff meniscus injury and after you reduce swelling, pain and inflammation with cold.

Should I put heat on a torn meniscus?

Do not use heat on an acute injury. It will draw additional blood to the injury area, increasing the inflammation and swelling. Heat instead of ice can make a injury worse and lengthen the healing time needed.

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.

Can you make a torn meniscus worse?

If you have a mild ache during the run, or a mildly sore knee after a run then you can often continue running. There is very little risk that running will worsen the tear. Meniscus tears can always worsen… remember, this is a process of degeneration.

Can a torn meniscus cause lower leg pain?

Depending on the location of the tear will determine where a person might experience symptoms. Anterior knee pain, pain along the inner or outer aspect of the knee, even at times pain in the calf region can all be signs that a meniscus could be compromised.

How do you self diagnose 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.

Will meniscus tear show up on xray?

X-rays. Because a torn meniscus is made of cartilage, it won't show up on X-rays. But X-rays can help rule out other problems with the knee that cause similar symptoms. MRI .

How do you sleep with a meniscus tear?

What percentage of meniscus tears require surgery?

Differing treatment

It's important to know the differences between the tears because usually only acute traumatic tears are surgically repairable. Less than 10 percent of meniscal tears occurring in patients age 40 or older can be repaired.

How do you know if you need surgery on your meniscus?

If you have a small tear at the outer edge of the meniscus (in what doctors call the red zone ), you may want to try home treatment. These tears often heal with rest. If you have a moderate to large tear at the outer edge of the meniscus (red zone), you may want to think about surgery.

Will a compression sleeve help a torn meniscus?

Compression sleeves are often the best knee brace for a torn meniscus if you also suffer from arthritic knees or from a degenerative condition. They are also a good choice for an athlete at the end of the rehabilitation process and requiring compression therapy to reduce pain and promote more rapid healing.

What is a Grade 1 meniscus tear?

Meniscus tears, indicated by MRI, are classified in three grades. Grades 1 and 2 are not considered serious. They may not even be apparent with an arthroscopic examination. Grade 3 is a true meniscus tear and an arthroscope is close to 100 percent accurate in diagnosing this tear.

Which is worse lateral or medial meniscus tear?

It is hard to differentiate what type of tear is worse if it is repairable. However, it is well known that if a lateral meniscus is taken out, the consequences are almost always worse than having a medial meniscus resected.