Tenderness in the Joint
After the initial pain subsides, any injury to a joint results in tenderness. For instance, even weeks after an ACL tear in the knee, the joint remains sensitive to touch. Although swelling may decrease and the injured knee may appear similar to the unaffected one, the pain persists. A joint line tenderness test, commonly employed to diagnose meniscal tears, can provide insight into the severity of the injury.
Loose Joint
When experiencing a partial tear in the knee, it is common to feel a sense of looseness in the joint. Despite being able to walk and apply some pressure on the knee, the feeling of instability is evident. This can be compared to a marionette puppet that has lost one of its strings, causing it to move in an uncontrolled manner. Even with the assistance of a brace to maintain alignment and stability, the sensation of a loose joint persists during the recovery period.