Signs of a Meniscus Tear
How the knee was injured and what it does now help separate a meniscus tear from other causes of knee pain.
A twist or pivot, then swelling
Pain on a planted foot, with swelling that often develops over hours to a day rather than right away.
Pain along the side of the knee
Tenderness on the inside or outside of the knee, worse with deep bending, squatting, or twisting.
Catching or locking
A catching sensation, or a knee that briefly locks and then releases. A knee that cannot fully straighten should be evaluated promptly.
Degenerative tears
In adults, a tear can develop from wear with little or no injury, sometimes alongside early arthritis.
Not Every Meniscus Tear Is the Same
Tear pattern, location, and the quality of the tissue guide whether a tear is treated with therapy, repaired, or trimmed.
The outer rim of the meniscus has a blood supply, so tears in this zone are more likely to be candidates for repair.
Meniscus repair →Root TearsMeniscus Root TearsA tear where the meniscus attaches to bone can change how the knee carries load and is evaluated for root repair.
Root repair →DegenerativeDegenerative TearsWear-related tears in adults, which are commonly treated with physical therapy first.
Treatment options →Combined InjuryMeniscus Tear With an ACL TearA meniscus tear can occur with an ACL injury, and both are addressed in one treatment plan.
ACL tear guide →Joint PreservationCartilage DamageDamage to the joint surface can mimic or accompany a meniscus tear.
Cartilage restoration →Knee PainOther Causes of Knee PainKneecap, ligament, and tendon problems can cause similar symptoms.
Knee pain guide →A Measured, Conservative-First Approach
Most meniscus tears are treated without surgery. When surgery is needed, preserving the meniscus is the goal.
Accurate Diagnosis
Joint-line tenderness, motion, and meniscus-specific examination, with the ligaments checked for a combined injury.
Nonoperative Care First
Physical therapy, activity modification, and injections when indicated, especially for degenerative tears.
Surgery When Indicated
Considered for a locked knee, a repairable tear in an active patient, a root tear, or symptoms that persist despite therapy.
Preserve the Meniscus
When surgery is needed, repair is favored over removal when the tear pattern and tissue allow.
What to Expect at Your Evaluation
Your first visit is focused on understanding the problem and outlining clear options.
How the knee was injured, when swelling appeared, and whether it catches, locks, or gives way.
X-rays are usually obtained first. MRI is used when it will change treatment or when surgery is being planned.
Findings and options are explained in plain language, with time for your questions.
When to Have a Possible Meniscus Tear Evaluated
- A knee that locks or cannot fully straighten
- Swelling after a twisting injury
- Catching that keeps returning
- The knee giving way
- Joint-line pain lasting more than a few weeks despite rest
From Conservative Care to Surgical Options
Treatment depends on the tear pattern and location, your age and activity, and the health of the rest of the knee.
Nonoperative Treatment
- Physical therapy for quadriceps, hip, and neuromuscular control
- Activity modification
- Injections in selected cases
- Bracing when indicated
This page is educational and does not replace an individual evaluation. Recovery differs between meniscus repair and partial meniscectomy; see meniscus tear treatment for details.
Read More Before Your Visit
In-depth guides written to help you understand your diagnosis and recovery.
When meniscus repair, root repair, or partial meniscectomy is considered.
Symptom GuideKnee Pain: Causes & TreatmentWhere your knee hurts and what it can point toward.
For ParentsYouth Sports InjuriesWarning signs in young athletes and when a child should be evaluated.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on where the tear is. The outer edge of the meniscus has a blood supply and some tears there can heal, while tears in the inner portion generally do not. Even when a tear persists, symptoms from many degenerative tears improve with physical therapy and activity modification.
Many people can walk after a meniscus tear, although pivoting, deep squatting, and twisting often aggravate it. A knee that locks or cannot fully straighten should be evaluated promptly.
No. Many tears, especially degenerative tears, are treated with physical therapy first. Surgery is considered for a locked knee, a repairable tear in an active patient, a root tear, or symptoms that persist despite nonoperative care.
A repair stitches the torn meniscus so it can heal and keeps the tissue. A partial meniscectomy trims away a torn portion that cannot be repaired. Recovery and activity restrictions differ between the two and are reviewed at your visit.
Usually not. X-rays are usually obtained first. MRI is used when it will change treatment or when surgery is being planned.
Call (484) 526-1735 during office hours or schedule online through St. Luke’s. Please ask about current appointment availability when you call.
Referral requirements vary by insurance plan. Many plans allow direct access to orthopedic specialists, while others require a referral from your primary care physician. Office staff can verify your plan’s requirements when you call to schedule.
Questions About a Possible Meniscus Tear?
Visits are at 153 Brodhead Road, Rear Entrance, Bethlehem, PA 18017, for patients from Bethlehem, Allentown, and across the Lehigh Valley.
Schedule Online at St. Luke’sCall (484) 526-1735