Meniscus tear symptoms & treatment

Our knees work all day – helping us walk, run, jump, bend and even sit. The meniscus, a piece of thick, rubbery cartilage, helps protect the knee, acting as a shock absorber. The two menisci sit between the thigh bone and shin bone, to protect and stabilize our knee joint. A torn meniscus can cause knee pain and swelling.

A meniscus tear is a common knee injury, especially among athletes and people who are active. A meniscus tear may also occur in older adults because our cartilage thins over time.

Our orthopedic experts are here to help you recover from a meniscus tear. If non invasive treatments don’t work for you, we’ll walk you through meniscus surgery options so you can reduce knee pain and return to an active life.

Types of meniscus tears

Meniscus tears vary in type and severity. The main types include:

• Bucket-handle tear: This severe tear causes the meniscus to displace into the knee joint, often leading to the locking of the knee.
• Complex tear: Combines several tear patterns and is typically seen in older individuals with degenerative knee conditions.
• Flap tear: Creates a flap in the cartilage that can catch in the knee joint.
• Horizontal tear: This tear extends parallel to the top of the meniscus and is often seen in older adults.
• Radial tear: Occurs in the center of the meniscus and is common in athletes.

Causes of a meniscus tear

Several factors and activities can lead to a meniscus tear:

• Aging: The meniscus becomes less flexible and more prone to tears as you age.
• Degenerative conditions: Conditions like osteoarthritis weaken the meniscus, increasing the risk of tears.
• Sports activities: Quick pivots, twists or direct impacts during sports can tear the meniscus.
• Trauma: Direct blows to the knee can also result in meniscus tears.

Can meniscus tears heal on their own?

The ability of a meniscus tear to heal on its own depends on its location and severity. Tears on the outer edge of the meniscus have a better chance of healing naturally due to better blood supply. However, tears in the inner part of the meniscus, where there is limited blood flow, often require medical intervention to heal properly.

Meniscus tear symptoms

Knowing the symptoms of a meniscus tear can help you seek timely treatment. Common symptoms include:

• Knee pain: Pain is usually felt along the joint line of the knee.
• Swelling: Swelling often appears within hours after the injury.
• Stiffness: The knee may feel stiff and limit your range of motion.
• Locking: The knee might lock or catch, making it difficult to straighten.
• Instability: A feeling that the knee is giving way or can't support weight.

Diagnosing meniscus tears

To diagnose a meniscus tear, we’ll first ask you about your symptoms. We may also order diagnostic tests including:

• Movement tests: We’ll move your knee and leg in different directions and ask you to squat and walk. These activities help us pinpoint the location of the meniscus tear.
• Imaging tests: We may use X-rays to rule out other conditions that are causing the knee pain. An MRI can provide detailed pictures of soft tissue, like your meniscus, to confirm a diagnosis.
• Arthroscopic procedure: We may perform this minimally invasive procedure to help diagnose a meniscus tear. We’ll make a tiny incision in your knee and insert an arthroscope, a thin instrument with a camera. The arthroscope gives us an enlarged, detailed picture of your knee anatomy.

At Aurora, you’ll get a prompt, precise diagnosis from a team of experts, so you can get the treatment you need. Learn more about our orthopedic diagnosis process.

Meniscus tear treatments

Your treatment for a meniscus tear will depend on where the tear is, what caused it and how severe it is.

Non-invasive meniscus tear treatments include:

• Rest: Rest involves avoiding activities that cause you to rotate your knee. While you are resting, crutches can help reduce the pressure on the damaged knee. Icing the knee can help reduce swelling and pain, too.
• Medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, can reduce knee swelling and pain.
• Physical therapy: A customized physical therapy plan can restore your knee strength and function. Find out more about our personalized approach to physical therapy.

If the meniscus pain persists or the tear is severe, we may recommend more extensive treatment for a meniscus tear, like surgery. Procedures include:

• Knee arthroscopy: For this minimally invasive procedure, we make tiny incisions in the knee and use specialized instruments to trim or repair the meniscus. These procedures result in a more targeted surgery, so there is less damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. That means minimal scarring and an easier, often faster, recovery. Get more information about minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery.
• Meniscus transplant surgery: Sometimes, when the meniscus is badly damaged, we may need to remove it completely. If you’re under 55 years of age, you may be a candidate for meniscus transplant surgery. We have several orthopedic surgeons who perform this highly technical procedure safely and effectively.
• Knee replacement surgery: If you’re an older adult who needs to have the meniscus completely removed, knee replacement surgery may be a good option for you. We offer many different types of knee replacement procedures. Our team will discuss with you which approach will best suit your needs. Learn more about knee replacement surgery.

Recovery from a meniscus tear

Recovery time varies based on the tear's severity and the treatment you receive. With conservative treatment, recovery might take a few weeks. If you have surgery, it could take several months to recover fully.

Physical therapy is crucial in your recovery, helping you regain strength and mobility. Following your doctor’s advice and attending all physical therapy sessions is key to a successful recovery.