Meniscus tears describes a tear in the shock-absorbing cartilage (meniscus) of the knee.

The meniscus is a C-shaped fibrous piece of cartilage which is found in certain joints and forms a buffer between the bones to protect the joint. The meniscus also serves as a shock-absorption system, assists in lubricating the joint, and limits the joint flexion and extension.

Meniscal tears are most commonly caused by twisting or over-flexing the joint.

• A "pop" noted at the time of injury
• Joint pain
• Knee pain
  • Feels like it is in the space between the bones
  • Gets worse when gentle pressure is applied to the joint
• Recurrent knee-catching
• Locking of the joint

The health care provider will perform the McMurray's test. For this test,  you lie on your back while holding the heel of your injured leg with your leg bent. Pressure is placed on the outside of the knee with the doctor hand, and the leg is straightened with the foot turned in (internally rotated). Pain or a click over the inner part the joint means an inner (medial) meniscal tear.

For an Apley's compression test, the health care provider will have you lie on your back with your knee bent at a 90 degree angle. The provider will grab your foot with both hands and rotate it to the outside (lateral rotation) while a downward force is applied to the foot. The provider's knee and thigh may be used to stabilize your thigh. Pain in the inner part of the joint may indicate an inner (medial) meniscal tear.

A ballottement test for synovial effusions (excess joint fluid) is positive in meniscal tears, indicating swelling with fluid around the joint.

Other tests that show meniscus tears may include:

• Knee MRI
• Knee joint x-ray