What is a torn meniscus?
The meniscus is a C shaped cushion of cartilage that spreads load across the knee. Each knee has two, one on the inner (medial) side and one on the outer (lateral) side. They act as shock absorbers, improve joint stability and help the joint surfaces glide smoothly.
A meniscus can tear in two broad ways. A sudden twist or awkward movement, often during football, netball, skiing or a slip on stairs, can split otherwise healthy cartilage. Alternatively, the tissue can wear and fray gradually with age, which is known as a degenerative tear. Some tears settle with rest and rehabilitation, while others keep catching or locking the knee. Knowing which type you have shapes the treatment, and it is the single most useful thing to establish early.
Common symptoms
- Pain along the joint line, often on one side
- Catching, locking or a knee that gives way
- Swelling after activity
- Pain twisting, squatting or on stairs
- A tender spot at the edge of the knee
How it is diagnosed
Examination often reproduces the pain and points to a meniscal tear. X-rays check the joint surfaces, and an MRI shows the tear clearly, including its size and pattern. This detail matters, because it guides whether rehabilitation or keyhole surgery is the better route for you.
Your treatment options
Rest and physiotherapy
Many tears settle with time, activity changes and targeted exercises.
Joint injection
Can calm inflammation and support rehabilitation.
Knee arthroscopy
Keyhole surgery to repair or trim a meniscal tear, or remove a loose body. See Knee Arthroscopy surgery.
Knee replacement
Considered only if widespread arthritis, not a mechanical catch, is the cause. See Knee Replacement surgery.
When should I seek help?
If your knee keeps catching, locking or swelling, or a tear is stopping your sport, it is worth having it assessed. The aim is to match the treatment to the tear, since not every meniscal tear needs surgery, and some do far better with it.
Get your knee assessed
Treatment Options
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