Meniscus Tear: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

The meniscus consists of two C-shaped pieces of cartilage located inside the knee joint between the thigh bone and shin bone, acting as a cushion that absorbs shocks, distributes loads, and helps the joint's stability and smooth gliding. A meniscus tear is among the most common knee injuries and can happen in two ways: an acute injury (common among athletes and young people), or a gradual degenerative tear with aging due to weakness and wear of the cartilage.

An acute tear often occurs when the knee twists suddenly or is rotated while bearing weight, as in sports requiring direction changes. A degenerative tear may occur with a simple movement such as rising from a squat in older people. The symptoms of a meniscus tear include: knee pain (especially when bending or twisting it), swelling that appears gradually over a day or more, a feeling of clicking or friction, sometimes a sensation that the knee locks or catches and cannot be fully straightened or bent, or a feeling of instability. It may be accompanied by other knee injuries such as the ACL in acute cases.

Evaluation begins with a clinical examination of the knee, and the diagnosis is often confirmed by MRI that shows the cartilage precisely. Treatment depends on several factors: the type, size, and location of the tear, the symptoms, and the patient's age and activity. Many tears, especially small or degenerative ones, improve with conservative treatment: relative rest, ice, and reducing painful activities, anti-inflammatory painkillers, and a physical therapy program to strengthen the knee muscles and restore its movement. Tears that cause recurrent knee locking or do not improve with conservative treatment may need arthroscopic surgery either to repair the cartilage (preferred when possible to preserve it) or to remove the torn part. Treatment is followed by rehabilitation to restore strength and movement. It is important not to neglect persistent knee symptoms, as early treatment improves outcomes and reduces the risk of joint wear later.

• Knee pain especially when bending or twisting it.
• Swelling appearing gradually over a day or more.
• Clicking or friction, and sometimes knee locking or catching.
• A feeling of instability.

• Sudden twist or rotation of the knee while bearing weight (acute injury).
• A gradual degenerative tear with aging and cartilage wear.
• Sports requiring direction changes.

• Clinical examination of the knee and its tests.
• MRI to confirm the tear and determine its type and location.
• Assessing accompanying knee injuries (such as the ACL).

Conservative treatment

• Relative rest, ice, and reducing painful activities.
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers and a physical therapy program to strengthen the knee.

Arthroscopic surgery

• Repairing the cartilage (preferred when possible) or removing the torn part, especially with recurrent locking or conservative treatment failure.
• Followed by rehabilitation to restore strength and movement.

This content is educational and does not replace consulting an orthopedic specialist.

• Recurrent knee locking and instability.
• Joint wear (knee arthritis) in the long term.
• Chronic pain and impact on activity when neglected.

• Strengthening the thigh and knee muscles and warming up before sports.
• Proper movement techniques and avoiding sudden knee twisting.
• Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the load on the knee.