Meniscal Tears

A meniscal tear is an injury inside the knee joint often caused by twisting or turning while the foot is planted. It can occur in sports or everyday activities. Meniscal tears can be part of the degenerative changes in the knee associated with arthritis and are managed differently to acute sporting injuries.

Anatomy

The knee contains two menisci — a medial (inner) and a lateral (outer) meniscus. These C-shaped pieces of meniscus act as shock absorbers between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia), helping to distribute weight and stabilise the joint.

Meniscal Tears

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

Pain and swelling around the knee
Locking, catching, or clicking sensations
Difficulty bending or straightening the knee fully
A feeling that the knee “gives way” or isn’t stable

Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine the knee and may perform special tests to assess the meniscus. X-rays are used to rule out bone injury, while an MRI scan is the best way to confirm a meniscal tear and check its size and location.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as your activity level:

Small or degenerative tears may heal with rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), anti-inflammatory medication, and physiotherapy.
Larger or unstable tears, especially in younger or active patients, may require arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery to either repair or trim the torn portion of the meniscus.

Recovery

Recovery time varies:

For non-surgical treatment: most people improve over 4–6 weeks with physiotherapy.
After surgery: return to full activity is usually within 6–12 weeks, though longer if a repair (rather than trimming) was performed.
Rehabilitation focuses on restoring knee motion, strength, and function.

Possible Complications

While most people recover well, potential issues can include:

Persistent pain or swelling
Stiffness or loss of motion
Recurrent tears or cartilage wear
Early arthritis in the affected knee

When to Seek Help

See your doctor if you notice:

Ongoing pain, locking, or catching in the knee
Repeated swelling after activity
A feeling that the knee is unstable or giving way

Book a Consultation

Meniscal Tears

Anatomy

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

Pain and swelling around the knee

Locking, catching, or clicking sensations

Difficulty bending or straightening the knee fully

A feeling that the knee “gives way” or isn’t stable

Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine the knee and may perform special tests to assess the meniscus. X-rays are used to rule out bone injury, while an MRI scan is the best way to confirm a meniscal tear and check its size and location.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as your activity level:

Small or degenerative tears may heal with rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), anti-inflammatory medication, and physiotherapy.

Larger or unstable tears, especially in younger or active patients, may require arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery to either repair or trim the torn portion of the meniscus.

Recovery

Recovery time varies:

For non-surgical treatment: most people improve over 4–6 weeks with physiotherapy.

After surgery: return to full activity is usually within 6–12 weeks, though longer if a repair (rather than trimming) was performed.
Rehabilitation focuses on restoring knee motion, strength, and function.

Possible Complications

While most people recover well, potential issues can include:

Persistent pain or swelling

Stiffness or loss of motion

Recurrent tears or cartilage wear

Early arthritis in the affected knee

When to Seek Help

Meniscal Tears

Anatomy

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

Pain and swelling around the knee

Locking, catching, or clicking sensations

Difficulty bending or straightening the knee fully

A feeling that the knee “gives way” or isn’t stable

Diagnosis

Your doctor will examine the knee and may perform special tests to assess the meniscus. X-rays are used to rule out bone injury, while an MRI scan is the best way to confirm a meniscal tear and check its size and location.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as your activity level:

Small or degenerative tears may heal with rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), anti-inflammatory medication, and physiotherapy.

Larger or unstable tears, especially in younger or active patients, may require arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery to either repair or trim the torn portion of the meniscus.

Recovery

Recovery time varies:

For non-surgical treatment: most people improve over 4–6 weeks with physiotherapy.

After surgery: return to full activity is usually within 6–12 weeks, though longer if a repair (rather than trimming) was performed.Rehabilitation focuses on restoring knee motion, strength, and function.

Possible Complications

While most people recover well, potential issues can include:

Persistent pain or swelling

Stiffness or loss of motion

Recurrent tears or cartilage wear

Early arthritis in the affected knee

When to Seek Help

After surgery: return to full activity is usually within 6–12 weeks, though longer if a repair (rather than trimming) was performed.
Rehabilitation focuses on restoring knee motion, strength, and function.