A meniscus tear is a rip in the rubbery cartilage inside the knee that cushions the joint and helps keep the thighbone and shinbone moving smoothly.

Each knee has two menisci, and either can tear during a sudden twist, a hard pivot, a fall, or a direct blow. Athletes get them, but so do people stepping off a ladder awkwardly or slipping on winter ice. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, stiffness, catching, locking, or the unnerving feeling that the knee may give out. Some tears improve with rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory care; others lead to injections or surgery, including repair or partial removal of the damaged cartilage. Age matters too, because a meniscus can tear from wear and tear, not just one dramatic moment.

For an injury claim, a meniscus tear often becomes a question of causation and severity: did the incident cause a new tear, worsen an older knee problem, or simply reveal degeneration already there? Medical records, MRI findings, and orthopedic opinions can shape damages, causation, and settlement value.

In Oregon, a work-related meniscus tear may be handled through the Workers' Compensation Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS). That can affect who pays for treatment, whether lost wages are covered, and whether the dispute proceeds as a workers' compensation claim rather than a standard personal injury claim.