Why do I get a sharp pain on the outside of my knee when I twist?

Why twisting hurts

When you rotate on a bent, weight-bearing knee, the meniscus is squeezed and sheared between the thigh bone and the shin bone. A torn edge can catch at that moment and produce a sudden, sharp, well-localised pain on the outer side, often with a click. Between those moments the knee can feel almost normal.

In younger people the tear usually follows a sporting twist, such as a quick change of direction in football or padel. In people over about 40 the meniscus is more brittle, and a degenerative tear can follow something as ordinary as turning to get out of a car or squatting and rising with a twist. Less often, twisting pain on the outside comes from the popliteus tendon or a sprain of the lateral ligament.

What to do now

• Avoid pivoting, cutting sports and deep squats for now
• Use ice and elevation for swelling, and simple painkillers if they are safe for you
• Keep the knee moving gently through a comfortable range
• Walk normally if you can, and use a crutch for a few days if you are limping
• Do not try to force a stuck knee straight

Signs that need prompt attention

See a knee surgeon soon if the knee locks and will not fully straighten, swells quickly after the injury, gives way, or if you heard a pop and could not continue playing. A knee that is stuck bent can mean a displaced tear, and these are often more repairable when treated early.

How Dr. Gelber assesses it

At Aman Hospital in Doha, the consultation starts with your story and a careful examination of the joint line and ligaments. An MRI is usually requested when a meniscus tear is suspected and the result would change treatment. Many stable tears settle with physiotherapy, while tears that cause locking or are suitable for repair, especially in younger patients, may be treated arthroscopically. Preserving the lateral meniscus matters because it protects the outer compartment from later wear.