Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries. Athletes, particularly those who play contact sports, are at risk for meniscus tears. However, anyone at any age can tear the meniscus. When people talk about torn cartilage in the knee, they are usually referring to a torn meniscus.
Two bones meet to form your knee joint: the femur and the tibia. The kneecap (patella) sits in front of the joint to provide some protection.
Two wedge-shaped pieces of fibrocartilage act as shock absorbers between your femur and tibia. These are the menisci. The menisci help to transmit weight from one bone to another and play an important role in knee stability.
Normal knee anatomy. The menisci are two rubbery disks that help cushion the knee joint.
The meniscus can tear from acute trauma or as the result of degenerative changes that happen over time. Tears are noted by how they look, as well as where the tear occurs in the meniscus. Common tears include bucket handle, flap, and radial.
Sports-related meniscus injuries often occur along with other knee injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.
Types of meniscus tears:
(Left) Bucket handle tear. (Right) Flap tear.
(Left) Radial tear. (Right) Degenerative tear.
Acute meniscus tears often happen during sports. These can occur through either a contact or non-contact injury — for example, a pivoting or cutting injury.
As people age, they are more likely to have degenerative meniscus tears. Aged, worn tissue is more prone to tears. An awkward twist when getting up from a chair may be enough to cause a tear in an aging meniscus.
You might feel a pop when you tear the meniscus. Most people can still walk on their injured knee, and many athletes are able to keep playing with a tear. Over 2 to 3 days, however, the knee will gradually become more stiff and swollen.
The most common symptoms of a meniscus tear are:
An ACL tear is an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in your knee. It connects your femur (thigh bone) to your (tibia). You have one ACL in each knee. It forms an “X” shape inside your knee with your posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The ACL is closer to the front of your knee. The PCL is closer to the back of your knee. Your ACL is like a strap that connects your bones and prevents your knee from bending or rotating too much. Anything that puts enough force on your knee to bend or twist it farther than its natural limit can injure or tear your ACL.ACL tears are a common injury, especially among athletes. After an ACL tear, the knee can feel loose and this instability can lead to further damage of cartilage and other ligaments in the knee if left untreated.
Most people know the moment they tear their ACL. It commonly occurs during a sports related injury or physical activity.
People who experience an ACL tear usually feel or hear a pop in their knee. Your knee might give out (feel unstable and weak). ACL tears can be very painful, but some people only feel small discomfort. Visit a provider if you injured your knee — especially if you heard or felt a popping.
ACL injuries and tears are very common. The ACL is the most commonly injured knee ligament. Experts estimate that between 100,000 and 200,000 people in the U.S. tear an ACL each year.
The most common ACL tear symptoms include:
Anything that puts too much force on your knee can tear your ACL. ACL tears happen when your knee moves or twists more than it naturally can in a pivoting motion. The most common causes of ACL tears include:
Anyone can experience an ACL tear. They’re much more common among athletes, especially those who play sports that involve suddenly stopping, twisting or changing directions. Some sports that cause frequent ACL tears include:
A healthcare provider will diagnose an ACL tear with a physical exam. They’ll ask you about your symptoms and look at your knee. Tell your provider what you were doing right before you hurt your knee and when you first noticed symptoms.
Your provider might perform some movements or motions with your knee and leg.
You’ll probably need at least one of a few imaging tests, including:
Treatments can vary depending on your ACL tear grade and any other damage inside your knee.
Don’t play sports or do any activity that can put more stress on your knee. Follow the RICE method as soon as you notice pain or other symptoms:
Your provider will suggest treatments to manage your pain and other symptoms. You might need:
A torn ACL can’t heal on its own, but it’s possible to live with it (especially if you have a low-grade tear). But if you’re an athlete or want to return to physical activity, you’ll need surgery to repair your ACL. Most people choose to have an ACL tear surgically repaired.
Surgery to repair damage in your knees is usually an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home the same day. Your surgeon will perform a a minimally invasive technique to repair the tear inside your knee. Ask your surgeon what to expect.
