Meniscus Tear

Each knee has two menisci — C-shaped pieces of cartilage that sit between the thigh bone and shin bone. They act as shock absorbers, spread load across the joint, and help keep the knee stable. A meniscus tear is a rip in one of these cushions.

It is one of the most common knee injuries. A tear can range from a small split that causes little trouble to a larger tear that catches in the joint and interferes with movement.

Common symptoms include pain in the knee — often on the inner or outer side — along with swelling that may build up over a day or so. Many people notice a catching or locking sensation, difficulty fully straightening the knee, or a feeling that the knee gives way.

At the moment of a sudden twisting injury, some people feel or hear a pop. Symptoms may be mild at first and become more noticeable as swelling develops.

In younger, active people, a meniscus tear usually happens from a sudden twist or turn of a bent, weight-bearing knee — common in football, basketball, skiing, and similar sports. It can occur alongside other injuries such as a cruciate ligament tear.

In older adults, the cartilage weakens over time, so a tear can happen with little or no obvious injury — sometimes just from squatting or twisting during everyday activity. These degenerative tears often go together with early osteoarthritis.

A doctor usually diagnoses a meniscus tear from your history and an examination of the knee, which includes specific movement tests that stress the meniscus and check the ligaments. They will also look for swelling and how well the knee bends and straightens.

An MRI scan gives a detailed picture of the cartilage and is often used to confirm the tear and check for other injuries. An X-ray does not show the meniscus itself but may be done to look for arthritis or other bone problems.

Many meniscus tears — especially smaller or degenerative ones — settle without surgery. Initial care follows the familiar rest, ice, compression, and elevation approach, together with pain relief and, importantly, physiotherapy to restore strength and movement. Many people recover well with this alone.

Surgery may be advised when the knee keeps locking, when a large tear does not settle, or for certain tears in younger people. It is done as keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery: depending on the tear, the surgeon either repairs (stitches) it or trims away the damaged part. Your surgeon explains which is suitable, as some tears can be repaired and others cannot.

The outlook is generally good. Many people return to their usual activities after a period of physiotherapy, or after keyhole surgery followed by rehabilitation. Recovery time depends on the type of tear and whether it was repaired or trimmed.

You can lower the risk by keeping the muscles around the knee strong, warming up before sport, using good technique, and building up activity gradually. In older adults, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight helps protect the knees.