Meniscus Tear

Overview

Each knee has two menisci — crescent-shaped pads of cartilage that sit between the thigh bone and shin bone, spreading load and helping the joint feel stable. A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries and comes in two broad types.

Traumatic tears usually happen in younger people during sport, when the knee twists while the foot is planted. There is often immediate pain, swelling that builds over the next day or two, and sometimes a sensation of the knee catching or locking. Degenerative tears are different: over the age of 40 the meniscus naturally becomes less elastic, and a tear can develop gradually with ordinary activities such as squatting or getting up from the floor. Degenerative tears are very common and are frequently found on MRI in people with no knee pain at all.

For many tears — particularly degenerative ones — research shows that a structured exercise programme achieves similar outcomes to keyhole surgery. Surgery is still appropriate for some traumatic tears, especially where the knee is truly locked, which is why an accurate assessment matters.

Causes and risk factors

• Twisting the knee with the foot planted, often in football, skiing, rugby or badminton
• Deep squatting, kneeling or sudden pivoting
• Age-related changes in the meniscus from the 40s onward
• Previous ligament injury (ACL tears often involve the meniscus too)
• Knee osteoarthritis, which often coexists with degenerative tears
• Weak thigh and hip muscles

How we may be able to help

Your assessment includes a detailed history of how the injury happened, specific meniscus tests, and a check of the ligaments, swelling and your knee's range of movement. If we suspect a locked knee or a tear that may need surgical opinion, we can arrange an online private GP consultation for MRI referral or an orthopaedic opinion.

For the majority of tears, physiotherapy is the first-line treatment. We work on restoring full movement, reducing swelling and rebuilding thigh and hip strength so the knee is well controlled during walking, stairs and sport. Rehabilitation exercise is progressed through your follow-up sessions, with return-to-sport guidance where relevant.

Interferential therapy may be used as an adjunct to ease pain and swelling in the early phase. Kinesiology taping may provide a sense of support. Where foot posture is placing extra load on the affected side of the knee, a 3D foot scan and orthotics may be discussed. If you do go on to have surgery, we can provide post-operative rehabilitation.

What you can do at home

• In the first few days, rest relatively, elevate the leg and use a wrapped ice pack for 15 minutes at a time
• Keep gently bending and straightening the knee within comfort to prevent stiffness
• Avoid deep squats, kneeling and twisting movements until assessed
• Practise straight-leg raises and gentle quad tensing to keep the thigh muscles working
• Walk normally where you can; a limp held for long periods creates its own problems
• Seek assessment promptly if the knee locks or gives way