Meniscal Tears: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
A meniscus tear is a common knee injury that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and difficulty moving the knee. Each knee has two menisci: the medial meniscus on the inside of the knee and the lateral meniscus on the outside. These pieces of cartilage help absorb shock, distribute weight across the knee joint and support stability during movement.
A meniscal tear can happen suddenly during an activity that twists or rotates the knee, or it can develop gradually as the meniscus changes over time. Symptoms and treatment can vary depending on the type, size and location of the tear.
CHRISTUS Health orthopedic specialists evaluate knee injuries and develop individualized treatment plans that may include activity modification, physical therapy, medication or surgery when appropriate.
What Causes a Meniscus Tear?
A meniscus tear can happen when the knee twists or rotates while the foot is planted. This can occur during sports that involve quick changes in direction, pivoting or contact, including football, basketball and soccer.
Meniscus tears can also develop gradually as the meniscus becomes more vulnerable to injury over time. In these cases, a routine movement such as turning, squatting or getting up from a chair may contribute to a tear.
Factors that may increase the likelihood of a meniscus injury include:
- Participating in sports or activities that require frequent pivoting or sudden changes in direction
- Twisting the knee while the foot is planted
- Age-related or degenerative changes in the meniscus
Your symptoms and how the injury occurred can help your orthopedic specialist determine the appropriate evaluation and treatment.
Types of Meniscus Tears
Meniscus tears can vary in shape, size and location. Identifying the type of tear can help determine whether it may respond to nonsurgical treatment or whether surgery may be considered.
Bucket Handle Tear
A bucket handle tear is a tear in which part of the meniscus becomes displaced toward the center of the knee. The displaced tissue may interfere with movement and cause the knee to catch or lock.
Radial Tear
A radial tear extends from the inner edge of the meniscus toward its outer portion. Treatment depends on the tear’s size, location and effect on knee function.
Flap Tear
With a flap tear, part of the meniscus can become loose or displaced. The affected tissue may cause pain, catching or irritation during movement.
Degenerative Tear
A degenerative tear develops as the meniscus changes over time. Rather than resulting from one specific injury, this type of tear may occur gradually and can develop after minimal twisting or stress.
The location of a tear can affect its ability to heal. The outer portion of the meniscus, sometimes called the red zone, has a greater blood supply and better healing potential. The inner portion, known as the white zone, has limited blood supply and is less likely to heal on its own.
Meniscus Tear Symptoms
Meniscus tear symptoms can vary according to the size, location and severity of the injury. Some people notice symptoms immediately after an injury, while others develop increasing pain or swelling over the next 24 hours.
It may still be possible to walk with a torn meniscus, particularly with a smaller tear. Being able to walk does not necessarily mean the injury is minor. Worsening pain, recurrent swelling, locking or difficulty moving the knee should be evaluated by a health care professional.
Signs and symptoms may include:
- Knee pain that worsens during twisting or pivoting movements
- A tearing or popping sensation at the time of injury
- Swelling or fluid buildup around the knee
- Stiffness
- Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
- A catching or locking sensation
- A feeling that the knee may give way
- A sense that the knee is not moving properly
Seek prompt medical evaluation if the knee becomes locked and cannot fully bend or straighten. If pain, swelling or limited movement interferes with your daily activities, an orthopedic evaluation can help identify the cause.
How Is a Meniscus Tear Diagnosed?
Diagnosing a meniscus tear usually begins with a review of your symptoms, how the injury occurred and a physical examination of the knee.
Your health care provider may check the knee for joint-line tenderness, swelling, range of motion and signs that certain movements reproduce your symptoms. The examination may include the McMurray or Thessaly tests to help evaluate the meniscus.
No single symptom or examination test can confirm every meniscus tear. Your health care provider will consider your injury, symptoms and examination findings together when making a diagnosis.
Imaging may also be recommended. An X-ray does not show a meniscus tear directly, but it may help identify or rule out other causes of knee pain. An MRI provides detailed images of soft tissue and may be used to evaluate the type and extent of a meniscus tear and other structures within the knee.
An MRI may not be necessary for every patient. The decision to order imaging can depend on factors such as your age, symptoms, examination findings and whether surgery is being considered.
Arthroscopy allows a surgeon to look directly inside the knee joint. It can be used to confirm a diagnosis and treat damaged tissue during the same procedure when surgery is appropriate.
CHRISTUS Health orthopedic specialists can evaluate your symptoms, order appropriate imaging when needed and discuss treatment options based on your diagnosis.
Meniscus Tear Treatment Options
Treatment for a meniscus tear depends on several factors, including the tear’s size, type and location, your symptoms and activity level, your age, and the overall condition of your knee.
Not every meniscus tear requires surgery. Your orthopedic specialist can help determine whether conservative treatment or a surgical procedure is appropriate.
Conservative Nonsurgical Treatment
For some meniscus tears, treatment may begin with nonsurgical approaches intended to reduce pain and swelling while helping the knee regain strength and mobility.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Rest and modifying activities that increase knee pain
- Applying ice to help reduce pain and swelling
- Elevating the affected leg
- Using crutches or another recommended support when pain makes walking difficult
- Using a knee brace when recommended to provide additional support
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication when appropriate
- Physical therapy to help improve strength, mobility and range of motion
For some patients with osteoarthritis and a degenerative meniscus tear, a corticosteroid injection may be considered to provide short-term relief from symptoms and help the patient participate in physical rehabilitation.
Treatment recommendations vary. Talk with your health care provider before beginning medications, exercises or significant changes to your activity level.
Surgical Treatment Options
Surgery may be considered when symptoms persist despite conservative treatment or when the type, size and location of the tear make surgical treatment more appropriate. Referral to an orthopedic surgeon may also be recommended for a locked knee, recurrent fluid buildup, disabling symptoms, or a large or complex tear.
An arthroscopic meniscus repair may be used to preserve and repair damaged meniscal tissue when the tear has the potential to heal. During the procedure, the surgeon uses small instruments to repair the tear.
A partial meniscectomy removes the damaged portion of the meniscus when repair is not recommended or appropriate. The goal is to preserve as much healthy, functioning meniscal tissue as possible while addressing tissue that is contributing to symptoms.
Your orthopedic surgeon will consider the type and location of the tear, your symptoms, knee function and individual needs when recommending treatment. If you have additional cartilage or other knee damage, your care plan may also include options available through knee reconstruction surgery .
Meniscus Tear Recovery Time
Meniscus tear recovery time varies depending on the type and location of the tear, the treatment you receive and your individual progress. Your age, the severity of the injury and participation in physical therapy can also affect how long recovery takes.
- With nonsurgical treatment and physical therapy, recovery may take approximately six to eight weeks.
- After a partial meniscectomy, some patients may return to full activity in approximately four to six weeks.
- Recovery after a meniscus repair generally takes longer and may require four to six months because the repaired tissue needs time to heal.
These timelines are general estimates. Recovery may be affected by your age, the type, location and severity of the tear, the treatment performed and how closely you follow your rehabilitation plan.
Your orthopedic care team will provide guidance about safely increasing activity, returning to work or sports and progressing through physical therapy based on your injury, treatment and recovery.
FAQs About Meniscus Tears
Some meniscus tears may heal without surgery. Healing potential depends on factors such as the type and location of the tear and its blood supply. Tears in the outer portion of the meniscus have a greater blood supply and may be more likely to heal, while tears in the inner portion have less blood supply and less potential to heal on their own.
Not every meniscus tear requires surgery. An orthopedic specialist can evaluate your symptoms, knee function and the characteristics of the tear to determine whether nonsurgical treatment is appropriate.
Some people can walk with a torn meniscus, especially when the tear is small or symptoms are mild. Being able to walk does not necessarily mean the injury is minor.
If walking causes significant pain or your knee locks, gives way or becomes increasingly swollen, seek medical evaluation.
Not necessarily. Some meniscus tears can be managed with rest, activity modification, medication and physical therapy.
Surgery may be considered when symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment or when a tear is large or complex, causes disabling symptoms, or interferes with normal knee movement. Your orthopedic specialist can recommend treatment based on your symptoms, examination findings and diagnosis.
The effects of an untreated meniscus tear depend on the type and extent of the injury. A large or complex tear may interfere with smooth knee movement, cause recurrent fluid buildup and contribute to continued pain, catching, locking or other limitations in knee function.
Some meniscal injuries may also increase the risk of osteoarthritis over time. Persistent symptoms should be evaluated so the cause can be identified and an appropriate treatment plan developed.
Recovery depends on the procedure performed and your individual health and rehabilitation needs. Some patients may return to full activity in approximately four to six weeks after a partial meniscectomy. Recovery after a meniscus repair may take four to six months because the repaired tissue requires more time to heal.
These timelines are estimates. Your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist can provide guidance based on your procedure, knee function and progress.
Why Trust CHRISTUS Health to Treat Your Meniscus Tear?
Knee pain can affect everything from walking and working to exercise and the activities you enjoy. At CHRISTUS Health, orthopedic care begins by understanding your symptoms, your goals and how your knee condition affects your everyday life.
Our orthopedic specialists provide evaluation and treatment options for knee injuries, including nonsurgical care, rehabilitation and surgical treatment when appropriate. When physical therapy, imaging or surgery is part of your care plan, your care team can help coordinate the next steps in your treatment and recovery.