What are some signs and symptoms of a torn meniscus?

What are some signs and symptoms of a torn meniscus?

What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?

• Pain in the knee joint: usually on the inside (medial), outside (lateral) or back of the knee.
• Swelling.
• Catching or locking of the knee joint.
• Inability to fully extend or bend the knee joint.
• Limping.

How do you check yourself for a torn meniscus?

Self tests for a meniscus tear

1. Stand on your affected leg.
2. Bend it slightly.
3. Twist your body away from your leg.
4. Twist your body toward the leg.
5. Pain on torsion away from the leg may indicate a medial meniscus injury – the inside meniscus.

Can you walk around with a torn meniscus?

A torn meniscus usually produces well-localized pain in the knee. The pain often is worse during twisting or squatting motions. Unless the torn meniscus has locked the knee, many people with a torn meniscus can walk, stand, sit, and sleep without pain.

What a meniscus tear feels like?

In a typical moderate tear, you feel pain at the side or in the center of the knee, depending on where the tear is. Often, you are still able to walk. Swelling usually increases gradually over 2 to 3 days and may make the knee feel stiff and limit bending. There is often sharp pain when twisting or squatting.

What may occur if the meniscus goes untreated?

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.

Can you bend your knee with a torn meniscus?

You can fully bend and straighten your knee without pain. You feel no pain in your knee when you walk, jog, sprint, or jump.

How do I know if my knee pain is serious?

Call your doctor if you:

1. Can’t bear weight on your knee or feel as if your knee is unstable or gives out.
2. Have marked knee swelling.
3. Are unable to fully extend or flex your knee.
4. See an obvious deformity in your leg or knee.
5. Have a fever, in addition to redness, pain and swelling in your knee.

Will meniscus heal on its own?

How Are Meniscus Tears Treated? The first step in treating a torn meniscus is getting the injury examined by a physician who specializes in orthopedics. During the exam, they may check the tenderness of your knee joint and move your leg to get a measure of your knee’s range of motion.

Does a torn meniscus hurt constantly?

The pain may be sharp or instead it can just be a constant dull ache sensation. It usually hurts more when bending the knee deeply or straightening it fully. It can also hurt when twisting on the knee with your foot fixed on the ground.

Should you stay off a torn meniscus?

Rest. You should stay off your feet until your meniscus tear is healed. Don’t walk, run, or play sports because this can make your injury worse.

Will a knee brace help a torn meniscus?

After meniscus tear surgery, a knee brace can be worn to limit knee flexion and rotation, protecting the meniscus while allowing weight-bearing and movement [9]. Additionally, braces can support the knee while doing physical therapy exercises later on in rehabilitation.

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.