A meniscus tear is a common knee injury that happens when the rubbery cartilage acting as a shock absorber between your thighbone and shinbone is damaged. It often occurs from sudden twisting or pivoting on a planted foot, or gradually from wear and tear over time.

Symptoms :
Pain, stiffness, and swellingA feeling of your knee “giving way”Clicking, popping, or a sensation that your knee is locking upDifficulty fully straightening the leg.

Common Types
1. Degenerative tears: Occur naturally as cartilage weakens with age.
2. Traumatic tears: Caused by forceful, sports-related movements like sudden pivoting.
3. Bucket-handle tears: A large tear where the inner portion flips like a bucket handle, often causing the knee to lock.

Treatment Options:
Treatment depends on the tear’s size, type, and location, as well as your activity level.
1. Non-Surgical: Small, outer-edge tears or degenerative tears may heal with the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications.
2. Surgery: For larger tears, tears in areas with poor blood supply, or if the knee is locking, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery may be required to either repair the cartilage or remove the damaged section.