Knee pain and swelling can result from many causes — two of the most common are meniscus tears and ligament injuries. Though both are serious, they involve different parts of the knee and require different treatments.
Let’s understand the key differences:
🔹 1. What is a Meniscus Tear?
The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage in the knee that acts as a cushion between bones.
Cause: Twisting motion while bearing weight (sports, sudden turns).
Symptoms:
Locking or catching of the knee
Pain along the joint line
Swelling after activity
Difficulty squatting or bending
🔹 What is a Ligament Injury?
Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones and provide stability.
The most commonly injured are the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and PCL.
Cause: Sudden stop, change of direction, or impact during sports.
Symptoms:
Instability or buckling of the knee
Swelling within hours of injury
Sharp pain
Popping sound at time of injury
🔹 Diagnosis & Treatment
Both conditions can be diagnosed through clinical exam + MRI.
Meniscus Tear:
Minor tears may heal with rest and physiotherapy
Larger tears often need arthroscopic meniscus surgery
Ligament Injury:
Partial tears may respond to physiotherapy
Complete tears often require arthroscopic ligament reconstruction (e.g., ACL surgery)
✅ Which One Do You Have?
Only an orthopedic specialist can confirm the diagnosis. At Ortho Pro Clinic, Dr. Ravindra Gupta offers accurate diagnosis, MRI guidance, and advanced arthroscopic treatments for both meniscus and ligament injuries.
📞 Call: 9243630974 to book your consultation.