A meniscus tear is damage to one of the two C-shaped pads of cartilage that cushion the knee joint. In younger people tears usually follow a twisting injury, while in people over about 40 they often develop gradually as part of age-related change. For many tears, especially degenerative ones, a structured exercise programme is recommended before considering surgery.
Also known as torn meniscus, meniscal tear, torn cartilage in the knee, degenerative meniscal tear
Symptoms
- Pain along the inner or outer side of the knee joint
- Swelling or stiffness, sometimes developing over a day or so after injury
- A catching or clicking feeling when the knee moves
- Difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee
- Pain with twisting, squatting or kneeling
- Occasionally the knee may lock or give way
Causes and risk factors
- Twisting on a bent, weight-bearing knee, common in football, rugby and netball
- Gradual, age-related changes in the meniscus, usually from about 40 onwards
- Previous knee injury, such as an ACL tear
- Early knee osteoarthritis
- Jobs or activities involving frequent deep squatting or kneeling
What the evidence says helps
- In middle-aged people with degenerative meniscal tears, a 12-week supervised exercise programme gave similar improvements in knee function to keyhole surgery (partial meniscectomy) at two years, and improved thigh strength more in the short term.1
- A larger Dutch trial found exercise-based physiotherapy remained as effective as surgery for knee function over five years in people aged 45 to 70 with tears that did not lock the knee.2
- An international BMJ guideline panel made a strong recommendation against keyhole surgery for degenerative knee disease, including degenerative meniscal tears.3
- Because meniscal tears are common on MRI in people without pain, scan findings need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms and examination.4
- Surgery may still be appropriate for some people, for example if the knee is truly locked or a large tear in a younger person follows an injury; your GP or surgeon can advise.23
Things you can try at home
- Stay active within comfort; gentle cycling and walking are usually well tolerated
- Start simple strengthening for your thighs and hips, and build up steadily
- Avoid deep squatting and twisting movements that clearly aggravate the knee while it settles
- Use ice or a cold pack wrapped in a towel to ease swelling in the first few days after injury
- Give an exercise programme a fair trial of around three months before judging it
When to get urgent help
Contact your GP urgently, call NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency if you have:
- Your knee is locked and you cannot straighten it at all: see a GP or urgent care promptly, as you may need a specialist opinion.
- After a fall, collision or twisting injury you cannot put weight on the leg, the knee looks deformed, or it swells up within a few hours: go to A&E or an urgent treatment centre.
- Your knee is suddenly hot, red and swollen and you feel feverish or unwell: get same-day medical help (NHS 111, or A&E if very unwell), as a joint infection needs urgent treatment.
- Your calf becomes painful, swollen, warm or red, especially after surgery, a long journey or a period of immobility: call NHS 111 or see a GP urgently. Call 999 if you also have chest pain or breathlessness.
How Apollo can help
We take a careful history and examine your knee to understand what is likely to be driving your symptoms, and explain what any scan results mean. We design a progressive exercise programme to restore movement, strength and confidence, which may include supervised sessions and hands-on care alongside exercise. If you have signs that suggest a surgical opinion is needed, such as a locked knee, we will refer you on, and we can support you with prehab and rehab around surgery.
No GP referral needed. Clinics in Sheringham, Coltishall and Norwich.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Does a torn meniscus need surgery?
Often not. For degenerative tears in middle-aged people, trials show exercise therapy gives similar results to keyhole surgery over several years. Surgery may be considered if the knee is locked, or if symptoms persist despite a good rehabilitation programme.
Can a meniscus tear heal on its own?
Whether a tear itself heals depends on its type and location. Importantly, trials show many people's pain and function improve a great deal with exercise, and tears are often seen on scans of people with no pain, so symptoms do not depend only on the tear.
Can I walk on a torn meniscus?
Most people can walk on a knee with a meniscus tear, and staying gently active is usually helpful. If you cannot bear weight, or the knee locks, seek medical advice.
References
- Kise NJ, Risberg MA, Stensrud S, Ranstam J, Engebretsen L, Roos EM (2016). Exercise therapy versus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for degenerative meniscal tear in middle aged patients: randomised controlled trial with two year follow-up. BMJ, 354:i3740. View source
- Noorduyn JCA, et al. (2022). Effect of physical therapy vs arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in people with degenerative meniscal tears (5-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial). JAMA Network Open. View source
- Siemieniuk RAC, Harris IA, Agoritsas T, et al. (2017). Arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee arthritis and meniscal tears: a clinical practice guideline. BMJ, 357:j1982. View source
- Culvenor AG, et al. (2018). Prevalence of knee osteoarthritis features on magnetic resonance imaging in asymptomatic uninjured adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. View source
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for medical advice. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or a registered healthcare professional. Content prepared from the sources above, November 2026.
