4 Telltale Signs of a Meniscus Injury

It’s easy to injure your knee joints. A meniscus tear, a common type of knee injury, can occur when you twist or turn your knee with force. Almost everyone is at risk. 

The Twin Palm Orthopedics team, led by Dr. Derek Farr and Dr. Nirav Gupta, knows how to handle knee injuries, including meniscus injuries and tears. Fortunately, you can recover from your knee injury with the proper diagnosis and treatment. 

Here are four signs or symptoms that indicate you should contact Twin Palm Orthopedics and get examined for a potential meniscus tear. You may need meniscus surgery to fully restore your knee, which we provide at our Ocala, Florida, location.

1. Your knee is stiff, swollen, or painful

Your knees contain C-shaped pieces of cartilage. A torn meniscus often needs medical care. However, symptoms may not present for 24 hours after the injury. Watch for pain, swelling, stiffness, and changes in your ability to move the affected knee.

If you notice swelling, stiffness, or pain, especially pain that worsens when you try to rotate or twist the affected knee, contact Twin Palm Orthopedics for a diagnostic exam. Without treatment, a torn meniscus can increase your risk of developing arthritis in the affected knee.

2. It feels like your knee pops

If you notice a popping sensation in your knee, you may have experienced a torn meniscus. The meniscus cushions the area where your shinbone meets your thighbone, allowing your knee joint to move smoothly through its full range of motion. A damaged meniscus can result in a popping sensation whenever you try to move your knee.

3. It feels like your knee is locked in place

A meniscus injury can inhibit the motion of your knee joint. That means when you try to bend or move the joint, it seems to be locked in place. It may also be difficult to straighten the affected knee fully. If you can’t move your knee in the ways you typically can, you should be seen by our team.

4. It feels like your knee could give way

You want your knee to hold up under your body's weight, not buckle and fail to support you. If it feels like your knee might give way, contact our team.

At Twin Palm Orthopedics, we can confirm that you’ve experienced a meniscus injury or tear and recommend the best treatment plan. If you notice any of these warning signs of a torn meniscus or meniscus injury, contact us over the phone or online to schedule a consultation appointment today.