Get Your Free Guide to Torn Meniscus Treatment Options

Understanding Meniscus Tears: What Happens Inside Your Knee

The meniscus is a piece of tough, rubbery cartilage in your knee that acts like a shock absorber. Your knee has two menisci — one on the inside (medial) and one on the outside (lateral) of your knee joint. These C-shaped structures sit between your thighbone and shinbone. When you move, they help distribute your weight evenly across the knee and protect the bones from rubbing directly against each other.

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A torn meniscus happens when the cartilage gets damaged. This can occur suddenly during an injury or gradually over time as the cartilage wears down. Common ways people tear their meniscus include twisting their knee while their foot is planted, sudden stops while running, or deep squatting motions. Athletes, especially those in sports like football, basketball, and soccer, experience meniscus tears more frequently. However, anyone can tear a meniscus — even from simple movements like stepping off a curb awkwardly.

According to medical research, meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries. Studies show that approximately 61 out of every 100,000 people experience a meniscus tear each year in the United States. The injury becomes more common as people age because cartilage naturally weakens over time. Older adults may tear a meniscus from activities that would not typically cause injury in younger people.

Symptoms of a torn meniscus vary depending on the size and location of the tear. Some people feel a sudden pop or snap in their knee when the injury happens. Others experience sharp pain, especially when twisting or rotating the knee. You might notice swelling that develops over hours or days. Many people report that their knee feels unstable or that it catches or locks during movement. Some individuals have mild symptoms that come and go, while others have constant pain that limits their daily activities.

Practical takeaway: Recognizing the symptoms of a meniscus tear early helps you seek appropriate care. If you experience persistent knee pain, swelling, locking, or instability, contact a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and learn what options might be available to you.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Meniscus Tears

Many meniscus tears can be treated without surgery, especially if the tear is small or located in an area with good blood supply. Non-surgical approaches focus on reducing pain and swelling while allowing the cartilage to heal naturally. These methods work best when started soon after the injury occurs.

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The RICE protocol is often recommended as an initial treatment approach. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Resting your knee means avoiding activities that cause pain. Ice application for 15 to 20 minutes several times daily can reduce swelling and numb pain. Compression with an elastic bandage or sleeve helps control swelling, and elevating your leg above heart level decreases fluid buildup. This approach typically continues for the first few days to two weeks after an injury.

Over-the-counter medications can manage pain and inflammation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen reduce both pain and swelling. These medications work best when taken regularly rather than only when pain is severe. Always follow package directions and talk with a pharmacist or doctor if you have concerns about taking these medications, especially if you have other health conditions or take other medicines.

Physical therapy is a central part of non-surgical treatment. A physical therapist teaches you exercises that strengthen the muscles around your knee, improve flexibility, and restore balance. Strong quadriceps (thigh muscles) and hamstrings (back of thigh muscles) help stabilize your knee and reduce stress on the meniscus. Research shows that people who complete physical therapy exercises often experience significant improvement in pain and function. Studies indicate that 50 to 70 percent of people with meniscus tears improve with physical therapy alone, without needing surgery.

Knee braces and supports can reduce stress on the injured meniscus. There are different types of braces available, from simple elastic sleeves to more structured hinged braces. Your healthcare provider can recommend which type might be most useful for your situation. Some people wear a brace only during activity, while others wear it throughout the day during recovery.

Corticosteroid injections directly into the knee joint may reduce inflammation and pain in some cases. Your doctor injects medication into the joint space, which can provide relief for several weeks or months. These injections do not repair the tear but may reduce symptoms while your body heals.

Practical takeaway: Non-surgical treatment requires patience and consistency. If you have a meniscus tear, start with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relief. Ask your doctor about physical therapy, as consistent exercise often leads to better outcomes than passive treatment alone. Keep track of your symptoms to discuss progress with your healthcare provider.

Surgical Options When Non-Surgical Treatment Is Not Enough

Some meniscus tears require surgical intervention. This is typically recommended when non-surgical treatment has not reduced symptoms after several weeks, when the tear is large or in a location that prevents healing, or when the tear causes the knee to lock or give way during normal activities. Your doctor may also recommend surgery if you have a tear that is likely to cause further damage to the cartilage or bone if left untreated.

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Arthroscopic surgery is the most common surgical approach for meniscus tears. In this procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions and inserts a tiny camera (arthroscope) into the knee joint. This allows the surgeon to see the tear clearly and perform repairs using small instruments. The surgery is minimally invasive compared to traditional open surgery, which means smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and typically faster recovery. Most arthroscopic procedures for meniscus tears take 30 to 45 minutes to complete.

There are two main surgical approaches: meniscus repair and meniscectomy. In meniscus repair, the surgeon stitches the torn cartilage back together. This approach preserves more of the meniscus and is preferred when the tear is in an area with blood supply. Studies show that meniscus repair has success rates of 70 to 90 percent, depending on the tear type and location. The recovery period for repair is longer — typically 3 to 6 months — because the stitches need time to hold while the cartilage heals.

Meniscectomy is the surgical removal of the damaged portion of the meniscus. This procedure is used when the tear cannot be repaired or when repair is unlikely to succeed. The surgeon removes only the damaged tissue, leaving as much healthy meniscus as possible. Recovery from meniscectomy is faster than repair, often 2 to 4 weeks. However, removing meniscus tissue means your knee has less shock absorption in the future.

Partial meniscectomy, where only the torn portion is removed, is preferred over total meniscectomy whenever possible. Research shows that even a partial loss of meniscus increases the risk of arthritis in the knee later in life. Studies found that people who have meniscectomy have a higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis within 10 to 15 years compared to those who had meniscus repair.

Recovery after arthroscopic surgery includes physical therapy to regain strength, flexibility, and balance. Most people can bear weight on the leg immediately after meniscectomy. After meniscus repair, weight-bearing restrictions may apply for 4 to 6 weeks to protect the healing stitches.

Practical takeaway: If surgery is recommended, discuss with your surgeon whether repair or meniscectomy is the better option for your specific tear. Ask about the expected recovery timeline and what activities you can do during healing. Understand that meniscus repair preserves more cartilage for long-term knee health, even though recovery takes longer.

Rehabilitation and Recovery After Meniscus Treatment

Recovery looks different depending on whether you had surgery or non-surgical treatment, but physical rehabilitation is important for both paths. The goal of rehabilitation is to restore strength, flexibility, balance, and confidence in your knee so you can return to normal activities without pain or fear of re-injury.

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For non-surgical treatment, rehabilitation typically begins immediately with simple exercises and gradually increases in difficulty as pain decreases. A physical therapist might start with gentle range-of-motion exercises that move your knee through its comfortable motion without resistance. As swelling reduces and pain