Common Symptoms
- Pain along the inner or outer joint line
- Pain during squatting or twisting
- Catching, clicking or locking
- Swelling after activity or injury
What Causes It?
- A twisting sports or daily-life injury
- Degenerative change in the meniscus
- Deep squatting or loading in a vulnerable knee
- Associated ligament or cartilage injury
How Is It Diagnosed?
The doctor first reviews your symptoms, any injury and relevant medical history, then performs a clinical examination and arranges investigations only when appropriate. Not every patient needs imaging.
- Review of whether symptoms followed trauma or developed gradually
- Examination for joint-line tenderness and restricted movement
- Meniscal tests such as the McMurray test when appropriate
- MRI when the clinical findings or treatment decision make it relevant
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, impact on function and relevant examination or investigation findings.
- Activity and load adjustment
- Medication for pain or inflammation when appropriate
- Physiotherapy to restore movement, strength and control
- Arthroscopic repair or partial removal only when the tear pattern, locking, persistent symptoms or functional needs make surgery appropriate
When Should You Seek Medical Attention?
Seek prompt medical assessment, or urgent care according to severity, if any of the following occurs:
- A knee that is completely locked, cannot straighten or cannot bear weight
- Obvious deformity, rapid swelling or severe pain after injury
- Foot numbness, coldness or a marked change in sensation
- Marked worsening after another fall or twisting injury
Recovery and Daily Activities
Care aims to preserve meniscal function where possible. Rehabilitation depends on symptoms and treatment: recovery after repair, partial removal or non-operative care follows different loading and movement precautions.
Activities should be progressed according to symptoms, function and response to treatment. Ask a doctor or physiotherapist for advice if symptoms persist or affect work or daily activities.
Dr. Yuen Explains
Related Health Education Video
Health Education Video
Meniscus Tear: Symptoms, Assessment and Treatment
Dr Yuen Chi Pan explains the key symptoms, assessment considerations and treatment or rehabilitation principles related to meniscus tear: symptoms, assessment and treatment.
Watch VideoFrequently Asked Questions
Does every meniscus tear require surgery?
No. The tear type and location, symptoms, locking, age, activity goals and overall knee condition all influence treatment.
Is MRI always required?
A doctor considers the injury history, examination and possibility of other internal knee injuries before deciding whether MRI is needed.
How can physiotherapy help?
Physiotherapy may improve knee movement, strength, control and load tolerance. A locked or markedly unstable knee should receive medical assessment first.
Is rehabilitation the same after every arthroscopy?
No. Weight-bearing and rehabilitation differ after meniscal repair, partial removal and procedures combined with other surgery.
Still Unsure What May Be Causing Your Symptoms?
Similar symptoms may have different causes. If pain persists, affects activity or progressively worsens, consider an individual medical assessment.