Here is my meniscus story for you to consider as you wish. Last year I experienced some acute right knee pain: I had trouble placing weight on it immediately, walking down stairs or slopes was painful, and at night I had to use a pillow between my knees to prevent pain. It was about two weeks before I could see the orthopod and during that time I did ice and rest and the knee pain improved substantially but did not go away. Saw the doc and he did the MRI thing and it showed a meniscus tear. He gave me some options: do nothing and see how it would progress; try cortisone shot and see if that relieved the pain; or, scope it. I chose the cortisone shot. It took a a couple of weeks for full effect, but I cycled pain free for the rest of the season. A week ago, I was working outside and to make a long story short experienced similar pain in my left knee: I could not walk on it immediately, pain at night, etc.... It was a week before I got to see the doc and the pain improved with ice and rest. The doc manipulated my leg and knee and said that it was highly likely that it was a meniscus tear. Since the pain and other symptoms were nearly identical to last year, I believed him. He suggested a cortisone shot to see if that improves functioning and pain and I agreed. I am waiting to get back on the bike until the weekend, but I am hoping this is the answer. Good luck with yours