Overview
A meniscus tear is an injury to the C-shaped cartilage pads inside the knee joint that help distribute weight, reduce friction, and stabilize the knee. When a meniscus is torn, part of the cartilage can become irritated or unstable, leading to pain along the joint line and sometimes catching or locking. Swelling and reduced motion can occur, especially after twisting injuries or deep knee bending. Some tears are small and settle with conservative care, while others cause ongoing mechanical symptoms that need targeted evaluation.
Symptoms
Pain is often felt on the inner or outer side of the knee where the meniscus sits, and it may worsen with twisting, squatting, stair climbing, or getting up from a chair. Many people notice swelling that develops over hours to a day or two after the injury. Some patients describe clicking, catching, or true locking, and the knee may feel unstable or weaker because normal movement becomes painful. Symptoms can also limit walking distance and make sports or work requiring kneeling or twisting more difficult.
Causes
Meniscus tears commonly occur from twisting the knee while the foot is planted, such as during sports, a slip-and-twist, or a sudden change in direction. Tears can also develop gradually as the tissue becomes less resilient with age, sometimes after minor missteps. Degenerative tears are especially likely in people with underlying knee wear, where the meniscus is more prone to splitting or fraying.
Risk Factors
Risk is higher after sports or activities involving pivoting, cutting, or deep knee flexion, and it increases with a history of knee injury. Age and degenerative changes in the knee make spontaneous or low-force meniscus tears more likely. Higher body weight can add stress to the knee joint, and occupations or hobbies that require frequent kneeling or heavy squatting can increase strain on the meniscus.
Prevention
You can reduce risk by strengthening the muscles around the hip and knee, especially the quadriceps and hamstrings, and by maintaining good flexibility and movement control. Use proper technique during sports and activities, and avoid sudden twisting or deep knee bending when your body is fatigued. Gradually progress training loads, warm up before activity, and maintain a healthy weight to reduce joint stress.
How the Diagnosis Is Evaluated
A clinician typically starts with a detailed history about how the knee was injured and whether you have catching, locking, or a feeling of instability. The exam often includes checking for joint-line tenderness, swelling, range-of-motion limits, and special meniscus-related maneuvers, along with assessment of ligaments to rule out other causes. Imaging may include X-rays to evaluate bone alignment and rule out arthritis or fractures, while MRI is most useful when symptoms persist, mechanical symptoms are prominent, or the diagnosis is uncertain.
Nonsurgical Treatment Options
Treatment usually begins with activity modification to avoid twisting, deep squats, and painful positions while allowing the knee to calm down. Physical therapy can improve strength, normalize movement patterns, and reduce stress on the torn tissue through guided exercises and mobility work. Pain control may include short-term use of anti-inflammatory medicines as appropriate, along with ice or heat based on symptom response. A knee brace or meniscus unloading brace can help some people, particularly when symptoms flare with walking or rotation. For persistent pain, some clinicians consider image-guided corticosteroid injections, and selected patients may be offered platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections; hyaluronic acid (orthovisc) is sometimes used for associated cartilage wear or osteoarthritis symptoms rather than to "fix" the tear itself. In carefully selected cases and typically when other options fail, investigational biologic approaches such as stem cell or adipose allograft injections may be discussed, but results are variable.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek prompt medical attention if the knee is locked and cannot fully straighten or bend, or if you cannot bear weight after an injury. Get urgent care if swelling is rapid and severe, if there is fever or redness suggesting infection, or if you have major weakness, numbness, or symptoms that are rapidly worsening. It is also important to be evaluated soon if catching or locking persists beyond a short period, or if symptoms are not improving with conservative measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some small, stable tears may settle with time and rehabilitation, especially when there is no true locking.
In many cases, yes, because strengthening and movement retraining can reduce pain and improve knee function even if the tear remains.
Next Steps
If your symptoms are ongoing, especially if you have catching or locking, schedule an evaluation with an orthopedic or sports medicine clinician. In the meantime, avoid twisting and deep knee bending, use ice and activity modification for flare-ups, and consider physical therapy guidance to restore strength and safe movement.