Injuries to the medial meniscus are one of the most common knee problems I see in orthopedic practice. In Dhaka and across Bangladesh, patients often come after a twisting injury during football, cricket, badminton, gym activity, stair misstep, or even after something as simple as standing up awkwardly from a low sitting position. Many describe pain on the inner side of the knee, swelling, difficulty squatting, or a feeling that the knee catches or locks during movement.[1][2]

One important point I want Bangladeshi patients and families to understand is that the medial meniscus is not just “cartilage.” It is an important shock absorber and stabilizer inside the knee. A medial meniscus injury can affect comfort, movement, confidence in walking, and sometimes long-term joint health if the problem is ignored or repeatedly aggravated.[1][2]

What the medial meniscus is

Each knee has two menisci: one on the inside and one on the outside. The medial meniscus is the inner meniscus. It sits between the femur and tibia and helps spread load, absorb shock, improve joint stability, and protect the smooth articular cartilage.[1][3]

In simple language, I often tell patients that the medial meniscus acts like a cushion and stabilizing wedge inside the knee. It helps the knee move smoothly under body weight, especially during walking, squatting, turning, and stair climbing.

Why injuries to the medial meniscus are so common

The medial meniscus is commonly injured because it takes significant load and can be stressed during twisting movements. It may tear during sports, falls, road traffic trauma, or awkward rotation on a planted foot. It can also tear gradually as the tissue becomes more worn with age.[1][2]

Common Bangladesh-related situations

• football or cricket twisting injury
• badminton pivot or landing
• slipping on wet floors
• climbing or descending stairs quickly
• squatting for household tasks
• getting up from floor sitting
• kneeling and lifting
• sudden twist during daily prayer posture transitions

AAOS explains that meniscus tears can happen after acute trauma or as part of degenerative wear over time.[2]

Acute tear versus degenerative tear

Not every medial meniscus injury happens the same way. This distinction matters because treatment choices may be different.

Acute medial meniscus tear

An acute tear is more likely after a clear injury, especially in a younger or active patient. These patients often remember the exact movement that triggered pain. They may feel a pop, followed by swelling and inner-knee pain over the next hours or days.[1][2]

Degenerative medial meniscus tear

A degenerative tear is more common in middle-aged or older patients. In these cases, the meniscus becomes weaker over time and may tear after a relatively small movement, such as twisting while standing up or turning in the kitchen.[2][4]

I usually explain to my patients that degenerative tears often overlap with early osteoarthritis, which is why the full knee picture matters more than the MRI word “tear” alone.

Symptoms of medial meniscus injury

The symptom pattern can vary, but there are several classic complaints.

Common symptoms I hear from patients

• pain along the inner side of the knee
• swelling that develops over hours or days
• difficulty squatting
• stiffness
• clicking or catching
• locking or blocking sensation
• the knee giving way
• pain while using stairs
• reduced confidence during turning movements

MedlinePlus and AAOS both note that meniscus tears commonly cause pain, swelling, stiffness, catching, locking, and reduced range of motion.[1][2]

Why medial meniscus injuries matter

Some patients try to walk through the pain and assume the problem will automatically settle. Sometimes symptoms do improve. But repeated twisting, recurrent locking, or persistent pain may lead to more difficulty over time.

The medial meniscus helps protect the articular cartilage in the knee. If important meniscal function is lost, the joint may be exposed to more stress. That is one reason why proper treatment matters, especially in active patients and in those with ongoing mechanical symptoms.[2][3]

How I assess a medial meniscus injury

When I evaluate patients with this problem, I first listen carefully to the injury story. The history often gives strong clues.

Questions I usually ask

• Was there a specific twist or sports injury?
• Did swelling come early or later?
• Is the pain mainly on the inner side of the knee?
• Is there catching, locking, or clicking?
• Can the patient fully bend and straighten the knee?
• Is the knee unstable?
• Is there a previous ACL or ligament injury history?

Examination findings I pay attention to

• tenderness along the medial joint line
• pain with twisting tests
• swelling
• motion loss
• signs of ligament instability
• signs of patellofemoral pain or arthritis

AAOS notes that joint line tenderness and provocative twisting tests such as the McMurray test can help support the diagnosis.[2]

Imaging and diagnosis

X-rays do not show the meniscus itself, but they help rule out fracture, alignment issues, and arthritis. MRI is often the most useful imaging test when I need to confirm a suspected acute meniscus tear or evaluate associated ligament and cartilage injuries.[2]