Understanding Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a C-shaped wedge of cartilage that cushions and stabilises the knee — you have one on the inner and one on the outer side of each knee. A tear can happen suddenly from a twist in sport, or gradually as the meniscus weakens with age.
Tears cause pain, swelling and sometimes catching or locking. Whether a tear needs surgery depends on its type, size and symptoms; the priority throughout is to preserve as much healthy meniscus as possible to protect the knee from future arthritis.
Symptoms to look for
Causes & risk factors
- Twisting the knee while weight-bearing
- Deep squatting or kneeling
- Age-related wear that makes the meniscus more fragile
- Often alongside an ACL injury in sport
How it's diagnosed
A detailed history of how the problem began and what makes it better or worse.
A hands-on clinical examination to localise the problem and test movement and stability.
Imaging such as X-ray or MRI to confirm the diagnosis and grade its severity.
What happens if it's left untreated
- A torn fragment causing repeated locking of the knee
- Accelerated cartilage wear if a large tear is untreated
- Ongoing swelling and reduced activity
How we treat it
What to expect
Stable tears often settle with rehabilitation over a few weeks. A protected surgical repair takes a few months to heal, while simple trimming of an irreparable tear recovers more quickly.
How to protect yourself
Frequently asked questions
Many tears settle with rehabilitation. Surgery is considered for locking, persistent pain, or a repairable tear in an active person.