Causes

In younger people (under 30) a forceful twisting motion is required to damage the meniscus since it is normally strong and elastic in this age group. Contact sports such as football are often the cause of these types of injuries.

As a person gets older, the meniscus gets soft and is more easily damaged. Tears in people 40 and older can result from a minor event or none at all. These types of injuries are often the result of degenerative changes or osteoarthritis.