Living with a meniscus tear
A meniscus tear can make everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, squatting, kneeling, and getting up from a chair feel painful, stiff, or unreliable. Swelling may come and go, and some people worry their knee will “give way.” Meniscus tears are common, especially with age, and many tears seen on MRI also appear in people without knee pain, so a scan alone does not explain symptoms. Many people improve with the right plan, often without surgery.¹
What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?
Typical symptoms include:
- Pain along the inside or outside of the knee, especially with twisting, squatting, or stairs⁸
- Swelling that appears hours later or after activity⁸
- Clicking, catching, or a feeling that something is stuck in the knee⁸
- Trouble fully straightening the knee, or a knee that locks in place, more common with displaced tears⁸
- Reduced confidence or stability when pivoting or changing direction⁸
- Morning stiffness or soreness when starting to move, common with degenerative tears⁶
Did you know?
Meniscus tears are frequently found on MRI in people over 50 who have no knee pain at all. This is why symptoms, function, and daily impact matter as much as imaging findings.¹
What causes a meniscus tear?
Meniscus tears usually happen in two main ways: a sudden twist or pivot, or gradual wear over time. This difference often affects recovery and treatment choices.
- Twisting on a planted, bent knee, such as during sports or quick turns⁸
- Age-related tissue changes that make the meniscus less resilient¹
- Coexisting knee osteoarthritis, which often drives symptoms in degenerative tears⁶
- Higher body weight and repeated deep knee bending that increase joint load¹
Seek a doctor if you notice:
- Your knee is locked and cannot fully straighten⁸
- You cannot bear weight, or the knee looks deformed after an injury⁹
- You have fever, redness, warmth, or feel systemically unwell, which needs urgent care⁹
- Swelling is severe after trauma or pain is worsening instead of improving⁷
How is a meniscus tear treated?
Most people, especially with degenerative meniscus tears, improve with active care rather than surgery. When surgery is needed, preserving as much meniscus tissue as possible is usually preferred to protect the knee long term.² ³
Education and activity modification: Temporarily reduce painful twisting and deep bending, then build back gradually. Structured programs often last 6 to 12 weeks, with continued improvement over months.⁵
Exercise-based rehabilitation: Strength and control exercises for the thigh, hip, and calf improve pain and function. Large studies show exercise therapy can be as effective as arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for many degenerative tears over long-term follow-up.⁴ ⁵
Medications: Short-term use of anti-inflammatory medications may help manage pain so movement stays possible, when appropriate.
Injections, if needed: Some people with arthritis-related knee pain get short-term symptom relief, but injections do not repair the meniscus itself.
Surgery:
- Meniscus repair may be appropriate for certain tears, often traumatic tears in healthier tissue, with preservation as a core goal³
- Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is generally discouraged for degenerative tears, as high-quality trials show little added benefit over non-surgical care⁶ ¹⁰
- Urgent surgical assessment may be needed for a true locked knee⁷ ⁸
Many people see meaningful improvement within weeks to a few months of rehabilitation, and long-term outcomes are often similar to surgery for degenerative tears.⁴ ⁵
Sword's approach
Sword Health helps people manage pain and movement issues with expert-guided AI care you can use from home. Our model combines clinical support with modern technology, designed to work around your life.
Sword makes recovery easier and more accessible. You get high-quality care at home, guided by clinicians and supported by smart technology.
- Care that adapts to your progress in real time
- Licensed experts guiding every step
- Simple, non-invasive, evidence-based programs
- Proven results for pain relief, movement, and satisfaction
Clinical insight
