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Meniscus Injury

One of the most common knee problems that can cause pain, locking, and swelling—often in connection with sports or twisting movements—may be due to a meniscus injury. Here, you can learn more about symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Quick version

What is a meniscus injury?

In the knee, there are two C-shaped cartilage discs called menisci: the medial meniscus (inner side) and the lateral meniscus (outer side). Their job is to act as shock absorbers and stabilizers between the femur and tibia. A meniscus injury means a tear has occurred in the cartilage, often leading to joint irritation.

Meniscus injuries are often categorized as:

  • Traumatic injuries: Occur suddenly, often during a sharp twist.
  • Degenerative injuries: Occur gradually due to age-related changes in the cartilage.

Common symptoms of a meniscus injury

Symptoms vary depending on the severity and whether the injury is acute or gradual. Common symptoms include:

Symptoms of acute injury

  • Sharp pain during specific movements
  • Swelling (often within hours or the next day)
  • Pain during weight-bearing, especially on stairs or during turns
  • Difficulty squatting or fully bending the knee

Mechanical symptoms (locking)

  • A feeling that the knee is catching or locking
  • Clicking or popping sounds
  • Instability or a feeling that the knee is "giving way"
  • Difficulty fully straightening the leg

Why do meniscus injuries occur?

Injuries can stem from sports trauma to natural wear and tear:

  • Twisting force – The knee is forcefully twisted while the foot is planted.
  • Aging – Over time, menisci become more brittle and can tear during everyday movements.
  • Repetitive microtrauma – Work involving repetitive strain, such as kneeling frequently.
  • Overweight – Increased load on the joint can accelerate wear.

When should you seek care?

Contact a healthcare provider if:

  • You have severe knee pain that doesn't subside.
  • The knee is swollen and stiff.
  • The knee locks so you cannot straighten or bend it.
  • You feel unstable and fear the knee will give way.

How to diagnose a meniscus injury

A first step is booking an appointment with a physiotherapist or doctor. They perform clinical tests (e.g., McMurray's test) to provoke symptoms from the meniscus.

If clinical examination is inconclusive, an MRI scan of the knee is the best method. MRI provides detailed images of the menisci, ligaments, and cartilage to determine the extent of the injury.

Related tests and health checks


MRI Knee

MRI Knee

Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Medical comment included

With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

Call included

Call included, one of our doctors will contact you.
  • MRI knee – advanced magnetic resonance imaging without referral.
  • Recommended for knee pain, instability, or suspected injury.
  • High-precision imaging of meniscus, cruciate ligaments, cartilage, and joint structures<./li>
  • Fast, painless examination with specialist evaluation within a few days.

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