• “Popping” feeling
• Swelling/stiffness
• Pain with twisting
• Unable to fully bend or straighten
• “Locking”
• Knee giving way

• A pop or snap in the knee
• Knee may become swollen or harder to move
• Twisting can make the pain worse
• Feeling like you can not fully straighten your leg
• Knee can feel stuck or catch during movement
• Knee may feel like it could suddenly buckle

• A sudden twisting motion in the knee while your foot stays planted on the ground
• Wear and tear overtime (degeneration)

• Compare the injured knee with the other knee. Do you notice swelling?
• Can you comfortably bend and straighten the knee? Don't force it if it hurts.
• Does it hurt along the inside or outside joint line of the knee?
• Notice whether the knee catches, clicks, locks, or feels like it might give way during normal movement.
• Was this caused by a twist or a pivot?

Educational only — not a medical diagnosis.

1. 1Do not try to “play through the pain”
2. 2Rest
3. 3Apply ice for 10-15 minutes at a time
4. 4Apply a compression bandage to reduce swelling
5. 5Ask an adult if an over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen, is an option for you
6. 6Tell a parent, guardian, coach, or athletic trainer about the injury

• Can not straighten your leg without pain at all
• Swelling that doesn’t go away with a few days of RICE (rest, ice, compression elevation) and taking NSAIDs (if an adult says it’s okay)
• Feel like your knee locks up or might buckle underneath you

• Meniscus tears vary in how bad they are. Some require surgery, some do not. For tears that do not need surgery, recovery often looks like:
• Rest – avoid any activities that trigger the pain at first, especially deep squats and any pivoting
• Some people choose to use crutches, to help them absorb the shock of walking
• Icing for 15 minutes at a time, every 4 to 6 hours the first day or two, and then as often as needed
• Physical therapy can help you strengthen the muscles around your knee. Common exercises include straight leg raises, heel slides, and knee extensions