Typical symptoms
- Pain along the inner or outer joint line of the knee
- Pain that increases with squatting, sitting cross-legged or twisting
- Swelling that develops over a few hours or a day
- A feeling of the knee catching, locking or giving way
- Difficulty going down stairs
- Being unable to fully bend or fully straighten the knee
Causes and risk factors
In young, active people a tear usually happens when the knee twists suddenly while the foot is planted, and it sometimes occurs together with an ACL injury. After forty, the meniscus gradually wears, and a tear can cause symptoms with no obvious injury — even from an ordinary squat. Degenerative tears seen on MRI are also common in people who have no knee pain.
- Sports with sudden turns and stops, such as football, basketball and skiing
- Working for long periods squatting or kneeling
- Age-related wear of the meniscus after forty
- Weakness in the thigh muscles
- Excess weight
How I work with meniscus problems
Treatment is shaped by the type of tear, your age, your activity goals and your orthopaedic surgeon's advice.
Assessment
I assess your knee's range of movement, swelling, meniscus and ligament tests, the strength of your thigh and hip muscles, and your walking. If there's a true locked knee or a suspected ligament injury, I refer you to an orthopaedic doctor first.
Manual therapy
Gentle mobilisation of the knee and surrounding joints, plus techniques for tight muscles and soft tissues, help you regain range of movement.
Exercise therapy
We follow a programme that starts by keeping swelling under control, then progressively strengthens the quadriceps, hamstrings and hip muscles and moves on to balance and control work. For athletes, running, jumping and changing direction are added in the final phase.
Education
We talk about which movements to reduce for a while, how to manage everyday challenges like stairs and squatting, and the criteria for returning to sport. If you've had surgery, we progress according to your surgeon's restrictions.
How many sessions will I need?
With non-surgical treatment, 8–12 sessions and a few months of regular home exercise is a realistic framework for many people. After surgery, the timeline depends on the procedure (repair or partial removal) and can stretch over several months. The exact plan depends on your assessment and your surgeon's advice.
What you can do at home
- If your knee is swollen, raise your leg in the first few days and apply ice for 15–20 minutes with a cloth in between.
- Avoid deep squats, sitting cross-legged and sudden twists until you've been assessed.
- Keep walking and moving your knee as far as the pain allows.
- While sitting, straighten your knee and tighten your thigh muscle for a few seconds; this helps limit muscle loss.
When to see a doctor first
In the following situations, see an orthopaedic doctor or go to the emergency department before starting physiotherapy:
- The knee is locked and won't straighten fully
- Large swelling that develops quickly in the first hours after an injury
- Being unable to put any weight on the leg
- A red, hot, swollen knee with fever
- Painful swelling and redness in the calf (especially after surgery)
- A "pop" at the moment of injury followed by the knee giving way
Frequently asked questions
Can a meniscus tear heal without surgery?
When does physiotherapy start after meniscus surgery?
Can I play sport with a meniscus tear?
Is my knee pain from the meniscus or something else?
This page is for general information only and does not replace a medical diagnosis or examination. If your symptoms are severe or getting worse quickly, see a doctor first.