Meniscus Tears
A meniscus tear is a common knee injury that can cause pain, swelling and difficulty with certain movements or activities.
The meniscus help your knee absorb load, distribute pressure and provide stability. A tear can occur suddenly during a sporting injury or develop gradually as part of normal age-related changes.
Most meniscus tears do not automatically require surgery. The right treatment depends on the type and location of the tear, your symptoms, your age, activity levels and how your knee is functioning.
What is the meniscus?
There are two menisci in each knee:
- Medial meniscus – on the inside of your knee
- Lateral meniscus – on the outside of your knee
They are crescent-shaped pieces of tough cartilage located between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia).
The menisci help to:
- Absorb and distribute forces through the knee
- Helps protect the joint’s cartilage over time
- Improve knee stability
- Assist with smooth movement of the knee
How does a meniscus tear happen?
Meniscus tears can occur in two main ways.
Sudden injury
A traumatic tear can happen when the knee twists or rotates while the foot is planted, particularly when the knee is bent. This is common in sports involving cutting, pivoting or sudden changes of direction.
Gradual changes
The meniscus can also become more vulnerable to tearing with age. Over time, the tissue can become less resilient, meaning a tear may occur during relatively everyday movements such as squatting, kneeling or twisting.
What does a meniscus tear feel like?
Symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of the tear. Common symptoms include:
- Pain around the inside or outside of the knee
- Swelling, which may develop immediately or over several hours
- Pain with twisting, squatting or changing direction
- Pain with stairs or kneeling
- Difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee
- Clicking or catching
Some tears cause very little pain initially, with symptoms developing gradually over the following days or weeks.
How is a meniscus tear diagnosed?
Your physiotherapist will assess your:
- Symptoms and how the injury occurred
- Knee movement
- Strength and function
- Areas of tenderness
- Response to specific knee tests
A clinical assessment can often give us a good indication of whether the meniscus is contributing to your symptoms.
Do I need an MRI?
Not necessarily. MRI is the most useful imaging test for assessing the meniscus, but it isn’t always required. Many meniscal tears can be managed based on your symptoms and clinical assessment.
Imaging may be recommended when:
- Symptoms are significant or persistent
- A more serious injury is suspected
- The diagnosis is unclear
- There is significant locking or loss of movement
- Your symptoms aren’t improving with rehabilitation
X-rays do not show the meniscus itself, but they may be used to assess the bones and look for other causes of knee pain.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Many meniscus tears can be successfully managed without surgery.
Your rehabilitation may include:
- Reducing activities that aggravate your symptoms
- Restoring knee movement
- Strengthening the quadriceps, hamstrings and surrounding muscles
- Improving balance and knee control
- Gradually increasing walking, running or sporting activities
- Sport-specific rehabilitation before returning to competition
Hands-on treatment may also be used where appropriate, but exercise-based rehabilitation is an important part of recovery.
Surgery may be considered when symptoms persist despite appropriate rehabilitation, or when there is a significant displaced tear causing mechanical symptoms such as persistent locking. The decision depends on several factors, including the type and location of the tear, your symptoms, activity requirements and response to conservative treatment.
If surgery is recommended, physiotherapy remains an important part of the recovery process.
How long does recovery take?
There is no single recovery time for a meniscus tear.
Your recovery will depend on:
- The type and size of the tear
- Whether the injury was traumatic or degenerative
- Your symptoms and knee function
- Whether surgery is required
- Your rehabilitation and activity demands
Some people improve within a few weeks with conservative treatment, while others may require several months of rehabilitation.
If surgery is required, the rehabilitation timeline will depend on the procedure performed. A meniscus repair generally requires a longer rehabilitation period than a partial meniscectomy, as the repaired tissue needs time to heal.
Your physiotherapist can provide a more accurate timeframe once your knee has been assessed.
When should I see a physiotherapist?
If you have developed knee pain following a twist, sporting injury or gradual onset of symptoms, a physiotherapy assessment can help determine what is causing your pain and what treatment is appropriate.
Our physiotherapists can assess your knee, explain what may be causing your symptoms and develop an individualised rehabilitation plan to help you return to your normal activities or sport
