Things You'll Need:
- Medical history
- Physical exam
- X-ray
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Step 1
Acknowledge and assess mild knee pain. When a meniscus is slightly injured, mild-to-medium pain immediately is felt below the kneecap. Since this often feels like a minor "tweak," you might even continue the activity that caused it.
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Step 2
Evaluate more severe knee pain. When the meniscus is severely torn, strands of loose cartilage may catch between the upper and lower leg bones at the knee, resulting in a flash of sudden, sharp pain.
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Step 3
Notice the position of your leg. You will feel more pain from a meniscus tear when the leg is straightened than when it is bent.
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Step 4
Evaluate any swelling and note whether your knee puffs up immediately or several hours later. The first symptom is due to stress on the blood vessels, and the second means that the joint lining, or synovium, has filled with fluid. Both indicate inflammation surrounding the meniscus.
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Step 5
Notice whether you hear a clicking sound, or if your knee locks up or feels weak.
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Step 6
Rule out other causes like arthritis or immune system disorders, including ulcerative colitis, lupus or Crohn's or Lyme diseases. These will have a gradual onset of pain along with other symptoms, such as fever or nausea.
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Step 7
Monitor your symptoms. Light meniscus tears may heal on their own and symptoms will disappear. A re-injury can cause more marked symptoms the second time around.
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Step 8
Seek professional advice. A doctor may diagnose meniscus injuries based on your medical history and lifestyle, a physical exam, X-rays or other tests.
