What are some activities that can result in a torn meniscus?
A. We see patients who tear their meniscus doing many different activities. Usually there is some form of a twisting activity. It does not necessarily have to occur from a sports injury. We see patients who injure the meniscus while kneeling or squatting while gardening, or who are on the floor playing with their kids or grandchildren and tear the meniscus arising from a kneeling, seated or squatting position. Sometimes patients may tweak their knee while walking on a treadmill. Occasionally someone will twist their knee stepping off a curb or slipping on ice. Of course sports is the most common mechanism. Menisci can be torn in association with knee ligament injuries, particularly tears of the anterior cruciate ligament. Perhaps 40-50 % of patients who acutely tar their ACL may have an associated meniscal tear. In chronic ACL deficient knees this can in fact be higher.
