What is a common symptom of a meniscal tear in the knee?

A common symptom of a meniscal tear in the knee is often associated with delayed hemarthrosis, where bleeding occurs into the joint space after a certain period following the injury. This occurs because meniscal tears can lead to damage of the vascular structures within the knee, allowing blood to seep into the joint. Typically, swelling may not manifest immediately; instead, it can develop hours to days later as the injury leads to a buildup of fluid due to inflammation or bleeding. While immediate swelling can also be present in cases of acute trauma, such as ligament injuries, in the case of a meniscal tear, it is more characteristic for the hemarthrosis symptoms to appear later.

Additionally, it’s important to recognize that while weight-bearing pain and audible popping sounds can be associated with meniscal tears, these findings are also present in other knee conditions. Therefore, the delayed aspect of hemarthrosis is more specifically indicative of meniscal pathology and aligns well with its typical presentation.