Is my knee pain due to mcl or meniscus?

Need more info: Hi, knee pain can come from multiple sources including the 2 ligaments that you mentioned. Physical exam tests can sometimes distinguish the source of pain. Mri is a great exam that can differentiate between injury to the meniscus versus injury to the mcl. But, just seeing the injury on the MRI does not mean that the abnormality is the pain generator. The exam and the MRI complement each other.

MCL vs meniscus: Location. Joint line pain implies meniscal etiology vs. Mcl usually above the joint line near the medial epicondyle if the femur.

Depends: Depends on your injury pattern, symptoms, clinical exam, and imaging studies. Impossible to diagnose through this method.

Hard to tell: If you have not had an MRI scan, then you should to determine if there are tears present. Some Doctors can tell if the meniscus is torn or MCL injured with physical examination, but usually want to confirm these findings with an MRI. Partial tears of the MCL usually heal with conservative treatment. If the meniscal tear is symptomatic, then endoscopy may be necessary. Discuss with your Doctor.