Get a clear diagnosis and the right treatment plan from a sports medicine knee specialist in the DC area.

If your knee is:

• Catching
• Locking
• Clicking
• Getting stuck
• Swelling after activity
• Or hurting along the joint line

…you may have a meniscus tear.

Meniscus tears are one of the most common knee injuries, especially after:

• Twisting injuries
• Sports
• Squatting or kneeling
• Or even simple movements in adults over 40

Rajeev Pandarinath, MD is a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon who specializes in meniscus injuries, ACL tears, and sports-related knee problems.

✅ Fast appointments
✅ MRI coordination if needed
✅ Clear plan — surgical and non-surgical options
✅ Surgery only if it actually helps

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What Is the Meniscus?

The meniscus is a shock-absorbing cartilage cushion inside your knee.

You have:

• One on the inside (medial meniscus)
• One on the outside (lateral meniscus)

When it tears, it can cause:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Clicking
• Catching
• Locking
• A feeling that something is “stuck” in the knee

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Common Ways Meniscus Tears Happen

• Twisting or pivoting injuries
• Sports (basketball, soccer, skiing, tennis, pickleball)
• Squatting or kneeling
• Degenerative tears in adults over 40
• Sometimes: very minor movements

Many patients say:

“I just turned the wrong way and my knee hasn’t been right since.”

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Do All Meniscus Tears Need Surgery?

No. And this is important.

Many meniscus tears:

• Can be treated with:
  • Physical therapy
  • Activity modification
  • Anti-inflammatory treatment
  • Injections (in some cases)

Some meniscus tears:

• Especially those causing mechanical symptoms (locking, catching, stuck knee)
• Or those that don’t improve

…do benefit from arthroscopic surgery.

The goal is:

To match the treatment to YOUR knee, YOUR symptoms, and YOUR goals.

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What Happens at Your Visit

1. Careful knee exam
2. Review of X-rays and MRI (or order MRI if needed)
3. Explanation of:
   • What type of meniscus tear you have
   • Whether it explains your symptoms
   • Your treatment options
4. Clear plan:
   • Non-surgical treatment
   • Or surgery if appropriate

You will leave knowing:

What’s wrong, and what to do next.

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Why See Dr. Pandarinath?

• Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine
• Focuses on:
  • Meniscus surgery
  • ACL reconstruction
  • Cartilage injuries
  • Sports-related knee problems
• Treats:
  • Athletes
  • Active adults
  • Weekend warriors
• Known for:
  • Thoughtful decision-making
  • Avoiding unnecessary surgery
  • Clear explanations

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Meniscus Tears and Sports Injuries

Meniscus tears commonly occur with:

• Sports injuries
• Skiing accidents
• Twisting falls
• Sometimes together with ACL tears

If your knee was injured during sports and now:

• Swells
• Clicks
• Or doesn’t feel right

…it should be evaluated properly.

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Request an Appointment

If you think you may have a meniscus tear or your knee is catching or locking:

👉 Click above to request an appointment
📞 Or call our office to be seen as soon as possible

The sooner the knee is properly evaluated, the sooner you can get back to normal activity.

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About Rajeev Pandarinath, MD

Rajeev Pandarinath, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in knee and shoulder injuries.

He treats:

• Meniscus tears
• ACL tears
• Cartilage injuries
• Sports and activity-related joint problems

His approach emphasizes:

• Accurate diagnosis
• Evidence-based treatment
• Matching treatment to the patient’s goals

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Is your knee catching, locking, or not moving normally?

Don’t ignore mechanical symptoms. Don’t wait months hoping it goes away.

👉 Request your appointment today