Meniscus Tear

Specialized Meniscus Tear Care to Relieve Knee Pain and Restore Function

A meniscus tear is a common knee injury involving damage to one of the two pieces of cartilage that cushion and stabilize the knee joint. Each knee has a medial meniscus on the inner side and a lateral meniscus on the outer side. Together, they help absorb shock, distribute weight, and support smooth movement of the knee.

Meniscus tears can happen suddenly when the knee twists or pivots, particularly during sports or exercise. They can also develop gradually as the cartilage changes with age and becomes more susceptible to injury.

At Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin, our sports medicine specialist provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for meniscus tears, from nonsurgical care and physical therapy to arthroscopic surgery when needed.

Treatment is tailored to the type and location of the tear, your symptoms, activity level, age, and individual goals. An accurate diagnosis can help determine the appropriate treatment while preserving healthy meniscus tissue and supporting long-term knee function.

Meniscus tear symptoms can vary depending on the location and severity of the injury. Some tears cause immediate pain and swelling, while others become more noticeable over time.

Common symptoms of a meniscus tear include:

• Knee pain, particularly with twisting, pivoting, or squatting

• Swelling or stiffness

• Tenderness along the knee joint line

• A popping sensation at the time of injury

• Catching, clicking, or locking within the knee

• Difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee

• A sensation that the knee may give way

• Difficulty running, exercising, or participating in sports
  
  

If knee pain, swelling, locking, or other symptoms persist or interfere with activity, a sports medicine evaluation can help identify the cause and determine whether the meniscus or another structure in the knee has been injured.

The meniscus sits between the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia), where it helps distribute forces across the knee and protect the joint during movement.

Acute meniscus tears often occur when the knee twists or rotates while the foot remains planted. These injuries are common in activities that involve cutting, pivoting, sudden changes in direction, or contact.

Common causes include:

• Twisting or pivoting on a planted foot

• Sudden changes in direction

• Sports involving cutting or rotational movements

• Deep squatting or forceful bending of the knee

• Direct impact or contact injuries

• Falls or other accidents

• Degenerative meniscus tears develop as the cartilage changes over time. With age, the meniscus may become thinner and less flexible, allowing a tear to occur during movements that might not injure a younger, healthier meniscus.
  
  

Meniscus tears may also occur with other knee injuries, particularly ACL and other ligament injuries.

Treatment for a torn meniscus depends on the type, size, and location of the tear, as well as your symptoms, age, activity level, and whether other structures within the knee have been injured.
Not every meniscus tear requires surgery. For some patients, symptoms can be successfully managed with nonsurgical treatment and rehabilitation.

Depending on the injury, treatment may include:

• Activity modification

• Physical therapy to improve knee strength, mobility, and stability

• Ice and compression to manage swelling

• Anti-inflammatory medications when appropriate

• Injections in select cases to address pain and inflammation

• A gradual progression back to exercise, sports, and other activities
  
  

Your physician will monitor your symptoms and function to determine whether the knee is responding appropriately to treatment.

Surgery may be considered when a tear causes persistent pain or mechanical symptoms, such as catching or locking, or when symptoms do not improve with nonsurgical treatment. Certain acute tears may also be better suited for surgical treatment based on their pattern and location.

Arthroscopic procedures may include:
Meniscus repair: The torn portions of the meniscus are repaired to allow the tissue to heal. When appropriate, repair helps preserve the meniscus and its role in protecting the knee joint.

Partial meniscectomy: When a tear cannot be repaired, the damaged portion of the meniscus may be removed while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

The appropriate procedure depends on the tear pattern, location, tissue quality, patient age and activity level, and other factors identified during evaluation.