A torn meniscus is a common knee injury. Twisting or rotating your knee with force, like in many sports, can cause a torn meniscus. Sometimes, kneeling, squatting, or lifting something heavy can tear the meniscus. In older people, normal wear and tear on the body can be part of the reason for a torn meniscus.
Each knee has two menisci, cartilage that cushions the area between your shinbone and your thighbone. The menisci help keep the knee stable. (Cartilage is tough but flexible tissue).
A torn meniscus stays connected to the front and back of the knee if it’s small. A large tear can leave the meniscus hanging by a thread of cartilage. How serious a torn meniscus is depends on where the tear is and how big it is.