Did I possibly tear my meniscus?

[DonovanMac]

About three days ago my right knee started hurting and I noticed it was catching on the inside a bit and felt like something on the inside of the knee was loose or moving around. It's hard to explain. Well I rested it for about 2 days and It went away.

Last night I went to basketball practice and it felt fine for the first hour. I was running on it fine it was just sore. Well an hour in it started hurting to walk on the inside of the knee and I sat out. At the end of practice we had to run lines and when I pushed of the leg it felt very unstable and like it was going to give out.

Last night and today it hurts just to walk around my house. It feels very weak like it is unstable. When I stand on one leg to test it the right knee feels weak and like it's being pushed inwards. It feels worse when I apply a bit of pressure or push on the side of the knee. And also when I straighten it, it sometimes clicks and today when I was walking I took a step and it cracked very loud. Probably the loudest it's ever cracked.

When I sit down or stand up it feels like it's going to give out on me.

Should I see a doctor about this or just wait and see if it goes away?

Also if you know any other symptoms of a meniscus tear I should know of, I would appreciate it if you could share them.

Thanks

[JD1963]

Thank you for the input! I would also like to add that the "catching" feeling is a classic sign of a "bucket handle" tear where one side is detached. It's hard to explain (I wish I could draw), but try to picture a crater with another layer around the top edge, draw a upside "U" into that layer (hence the bucket handle). Of course if one side of that "U" comes loose, it will leave that section of meniscus the ability to slip into the joint space causing a catch or even a lock. Hope this helps! jd1963

[Nae1]

I would also add that for meniscus tear, typically, you will find going down stairs more painful than going up them.  That is a question that I would ask an athlete with a possible tear ('Is it harder going up or down stairs?') it is one of classic signs for a meniscus tear.

The catching feeling is meniscus but the instability sounds like it could be ligamentous.

I agree with JD1963 - you should make yourself an appointment with an Orthopod especially with the instability that you are feeling if you haven't already.

[JD1963]

Donovan, You should be practicing RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation). I would get in to see a Orthopod ASAP. Sorry for the bad news! He/she will probably take some X-rays first (AP/Lat/Oblique and maybe Sunrise views), protocol you know. They will most likely be negative since they won't show soft tissue damage. The MRI on the other hand will seal it. Keep me updated if you have the time. Best wishes! jd1963