You have two C-shaped discs of cartilage (soft tissue) that connect your thighbone to your shinbone. These are called menisci. They’re like shock absorbers for your bones. They also help to keep your knee stable.
Athletes who play contact sports like football and hockey are prone to meniscus tears. But you can also get this injury when you kneel, squat, or lift something heavy. The risk of injury increases as you get older, when bones and tissues around the knee begin to wear down.
If you tear your meniscus, your leg might swell and feel stiff. You might feel pain when twisting your knee, or be unable to straighten your leg fully.