That "pop" you heard? That was your meniscus tearing.
That catching sensation when you bend your knee? That's the torn piece getting stuck.
That feeling like your knee might give out? That's your body warning you that your shock absorber is failing.
Most people ignore these signs. They take some ibuprofen and hope it goes away.
But here's what happens when you ignore a meniscus tear:
Week 1-2: The pain seems to come and go. You might think it's getting better.
Month 1: Getting out of bed becomes a careful process. You grip the handrail going downstairs.
Month 3: The tear grows larger. Your knee swells after walking to the mailbox. You avoid uneven sidewalks.
Month 6: Grocery shopping exhausts you. You stop meeting friends for coffee. Simple pleasures become too risky.
Month 12: Your knee locks up without warning. You're afraid to be alone in the house. Family conversations turn to "what to do about Mom/Dad."
Month 18: You can't trust your knee to support you. Independence is gone. The life you built is over.
I've seen this progression hundreds of times in my 20-year practice. And it breaks my heart every time.