Meniscus Tear

Pain — along the inner or outer joint line, often worse with twisting or squatting. Swelling — that develops gradually over a day or two. Catching or locking — — a torn fragment can physically block the joint. A sense of the knee “giving way” — or not feeling trustworthy. Difficulty fully straightening — the knee.

Younger patients usually tear a meniscus through a forceful twist while the foot is planted — frequently alongside an ACL injury. In patients over 40, tears more often develop gradually as the cartilage becomes less resilient, sometimes with no single triggering event. Pivoting, twisting or deep squatting under load. Age-related degeneration of the cartilage. Combined injuries — commonly with ACL tears. Kneeling or heavy lifting occupations.

Examination includes joint-line tenderness and specific rotation tests (such as the McMurray test). An MRI scan confirms the location, pattern and size of the tear, and shows the surrounding cartilage — all of which determine whether the tear is repairable.

The goal is always to preserve as much healthy meniscus as possible, because the meniscus protects the joint from future arthritis. Rehabilitation: Many degenerative and small tears settle with physiotherapy, activity modification and time — often the first-line choice. Repair (preferred): When the tear is in the blood-supplied zone, it is stitched back together arthroscopically, preserving the cushion. Partial trim: Where a tear cannot heal, only the damaged fragment is removed, keeping as much meniscus as possible. Tailored to you: Age, tear pattern, activity and joint health together decide the approach — there is no single right answer.

A partial trim recovers quickly — most patients walk within days and resume activity over a few weeks. A repair protects the healing stitches and takes longer, with a graduated return over three to four months. The trade-off is worthwhile: a preserved meniscus protects the knee for decades.