I tried to be cool in front of my kids and running jump off a ~2ft ledge on a hiking path this weekend and grab an overhanging tree branch. I couldn't hold onto the branch (duh), and dropped. I was fully extended and didn't retract my legs at all, so I landed pretty much full force from a 4-5ft drop onto one leg, with that knee still in a locked position. From what I see on wikipedia, I'm guessing I smashed the bejeebers out of the front side of my meniscus.

This was on Sunday, and it hurt right away, and I was walking with a little limp. The next day it hurt a ton more. But it was Memorial Day so I couldn't make a doctor's appointment. I'm guessing it was inflamed, because trying to straighten out my leg was significantly more painful than the prior day. I spent the day hopping around and sitting on the couch. Then on Tuesday, I woke up and it felt much better. I could fully extend my knee, and it only hurt if I'd do strange twists/angles, or if I tried to both full extend it and place my weight on it. Since I perceived it was getting better, I told my wife, to never mind making a doctor's appointment. But now it's Friday and it hasn't improved at all since Tuesday morning. I'm still favoring the leg, and it still hurts if I try to fully extend with full weight, or stretch it out behind me with my foot planted, or twist it funny.

Am I an idiot for not going to the doctor? I didn't want to look stupid running to the doctor for what I initially assumed was very minor and which seemed to be healing naturally. It's not like it swelled up like a grapefruit or turned purple or anything. What's the prognosis for smashing the bejeebers out of your meniscus?

It's interfered a lot with my workouts, and while I was still able to squat when I tried yesterday, I didn't dare try a deadlift.

A torn miniscus isn't "minor."

I know how to diagnose it, but I rather not tell you.

You were able to squat? Couldn't be that bad imo.

I hurt my knee in a somewhat similar fashion(no jumping, just sprinting) over a year ago and it still hurts. I've deadlifted, squatted, even played sports, and I seem to mostly have full ROM, but it still hurts. I think now I might have arthritis as when it rains/gets cold my knee hurts more frequently. My mom has arthritis and that seemed to be something she complained about.

I don't have medical insurance and I'm broke so I'm pretty much screwed for now, but if I had insurance I would have been in the doctor's office asap.

Don't mess with your knees, get it checked out.

I did go see a doctor, but it mostly seemed like a waste of time. He didn't really do anything, gave me some common sense advice, and some anti-inflammatories (which in and of itself seem to be of dubious value, given what I've read about inflammation being the bodies way of healing). I hadn't started staking them, but I think I will now.

The worst thing is that I haven't noticed any improvement since that first Tuesday. I still favor the leg and walk with a slight limp, and still can't fully extend my knee without noticing a weird feeling, and it hurts when I stand up after sitting for a long while, but none of that would bother me if I perceived it to be improving over time.

I'd aborted lifting, partially based on the doctor's advice, but maybe it's time to start up again. I just can't imagine doing a deadlift though; locking out my knee at the top bearing heavy weights seems like somewhere between "no" and "hell no!".

Don't worry about what others think. Use a cane while walking.

Go to a physiotherapist. They'll get you working on exercises and it can really speed things up.

Maybe see a different doctor? Your issue does not sound trivial.