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HomeAbout Prognosis and impactsIncidence and risk factorsSymptomsInitial symptoms Symptoms Progression Secondary effects Conditions with similar symptoms Causes and effectsDiagnosis and evaluation Management and treatment CopingResearchConclusion

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Torn Meniscus-torn knee cartilage not limited to athletes or sports.

Edited By: Carol C. Teitz, M.D.
Last updated Wednesday, January 12, 2005

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Symptoms

Initial symptoms

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. When the patient recalls a specific injury that led to the pain and swelling, the swelling often does not occur until the day after the injury. The swelling is not necessarily in the same area as the pain.

Symptoms

A torn meniscus can also produce catching or locking of the knee. Sometimes the knee is stuck in midrange for days at a time. Sometimes the patient can "unlock" the knee by bending and twisting it before trying to straighten it.

Progression

Over 4-6 weeks, the pain and swelling may decrease and activites of daily living may become tolerable. However, athletic activities may reproduce pain and swelling. Sometimes even activities of daily living such as going up and down stairs or getting in and out of cars may produce pain in a knee with a torn meniscus.

Secondary effects

A torn meniscus often causes the knee to make extra joint fluid. There is more room in the knee for fluid when the knee is slightly bent. Therefore, people with chronic swelling tend to hold the involved knee in a bent position and develop hamstring tightness and joint contracture. Also, a piece of torn meniscus that is moving in and out of place can damage the nearby articular (gliding) surfaces and lead to arthritis.

Conditions with similar symptoms

Sometimes the symptoms of a torn meniscus can be confused with a fragment of arthritic articular cartilage that is hanging from the surface of the bone or that has broken free in the joint.

Surgery for Torn Meniscus-torn knee cartilage at the University of Washington

If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-543-1552 or 425-646-7777 to make an appointment.

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