Meniscus Tear
A plain-language overview of meniscus tear.
- Where
- Knee (cartilage cushion)
- Common signs
- Joint-line pain, catching, locking
- Options
- Therapy, repair, or trimming
- Urgent?
- Severe pain, deformity, or numbness: seek care promptly.
Overview
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of tough, rubbery cartilage that cushions the knee. A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries and can happen in athletes and in older adults.
Adapted from AAOS OrthoInfo, the patient education site of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and rewritten in plain language.
Anatomy
Each knee has two menisci, one on the inner side (medial) and one on the outer side (lateral), sitting between the thighbone and shinbone. They act as shock absorbers and help spread weight across the joint and keep it stable.
Causes
- Twisting or pivoting forcefully on a bent knee, often in sports
- Deep squatting or kneeling, especially while lifting
- Wear over time: the meniscus weakens with age and can tear with minor twisting
- Often happens along with an ACL injury
Symptoms
- A pop at the time of injury
- Pain along the inner or outer joint line
- Swelling and stiffness over a day or two
- Catching or locking of the knee
- Feeling the knee give way
- Trouble straightening the knee fully
Doctor exam & imaging
Your doctor will check for tenderness along the joint line and perform tests that bend and rotate the knee. X-rays help rule out arthritis or other bone problems. An MRI shows the meniscus and the type and location of the tear.
Treatment
Nonsurgical treatment
Many tears, especially degenerative tears in older adults, improve with rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medicine, and physical therapy. Activity changes and a home exercise program to strengthen the muscles around the knee are common first steps.
Surgical treatment
If symptoms continue or the knee locks, knee arthroscopy may be recommended. Some tears can be repaired by stitching the torn edges together, which preserves the meniscus; others are treated by trimming the damaged portion (partial meniscectomy). Whether a tear can be repaired depends on its pattern, location, and blood supply.
Dr. Gee has written on meniscus anatomy and the burden of meniscus injury in active people.
Recovery & return to activity
Recovery after trimming is usually faster than after repair. After a repair, you may need crutches and a brace with limits on bending for several weeks so the tissue can heal. Physical therapy helps restore motion and strength before returning to sports.
When to seek care
- The knee locks and will not straighten
- You cannot put weight on the leg
- Swelling keeps coming back
- Pain does not improve with rest after a few weeks
In an emergency, call 911.