Meniscus Tear

It’s a perfect August afternoon on Lake Washington. You’ve spent the day wakeboarding with friends, catching the last rays of summer sun. As you finish your run, you twist awkwardly coming out of the water, and suddenly your knee feels sharp and unstable. At first, it seems like it might just be a tweak, but the pain lingers, your knee swells, and simple movements like walking up the dock feel different than they did before. That moment of fun may actually be the start of a meniscus injury.

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the knee joint. Tears can happen with sudden twists or pivots, especially during sports and outdoor activities. Symptoms often include swelling, catching, or a “locking” sensation in the knee. While some small tears can improve with rest and physical therapy, many meniscus injuries—particularly those causing persistent pain or mechanical symptoms—require an orthopedic evaluation. Seeing a surgeon is important to determine the right treatment path, whether that’s rehabilitation, repair, or in some cases, removal of the torn piece.

Not all surgeons treat meniscus injuries the same way. Specialized orthopedic surgeons who focus on sports-related knee injuries have the most experience repairing meniscus tears, which can help preserve knee health for the long term. Getting connected to the right subspecialist ensures that you aren’t just treated, but treated in a way that matches your lifestyle and activity goals. Ortho Compass helps patients in the Seattle area find those surgeons quickly—because after a summer on Lake Washington, the last thing you want is months of waiting to get back on your feet.