How to diagnose and
treat a meniscus tear

How do clinicians diagnose a meniscus tear?

Most people start by describing what they feel and what they cannot do right now, for example pain with twisting, trouble with stairs, swelling after activity, or a knee that feels like it catches. Meniscus tears are common, especially as we age, and a tear seen on a scan does not always explain pain. That is why clinicians usually start with your story and your day-to-day function, not imaging alone.¹

What a clinician will ask about

A clinician will often ask about:

• How it started, for example a specific twist during sport versus a gradual ache that built up over time.²
• Where it hurts, such as along the inner or outer joint line of the knee.³
• Swelling patterns, including swelling that appears later the same day or the next day after activity.²
• Mechanical symptoms, such as catching, locking, or a feeling that something is stuck. True locking where you cannot fully straighten the knee is treated differently than occasional clicking.⁸
• Impact on function, like walking tolerance, stair climbing, squatting, kneeling, and confidence with pivoting.³

What clinicians check in an examination

During the exam, clinicians usually look at how you walk, how well you can bear weight, knee range of motion, tenderness along the joint line, and how the knee responds to specific movements that may reproduce symptoms.⁸

When tests or imaging may be used

MRI can show the meniscus clearly, but it is not always needed right away. Meniscus tears are frequently seen on MRI even in people without knee pain, especially in adults over 50, so results must be interpreted alongside symptoms and function.¹ Imaging is most useful when it would change the care plan, such as persistent symptoms after rehabilitation, concern for another injury, or when surgery is being considered.² ⁸

When urgent assessment matters

Seek urgent medical care if:

• Your knee is truly locked and cannot fully straighten.⁸
• You cannot bear weight after an injury or the knee looks deformed.⁹
• You have signs of possible infection, such as fever, redness, warmth, or feeling unwell.⁹

Clinical insight

An international guideline panel strongly recommends against routine knee arthroscopy for degenerative meniscus tears, because average benefits are small and short-lived while surgical risks still exist.⁶ ¹⁰ This is why most care plans begin with movement and strengthening unless there is true locking or another clear surgical indication.

What are the treatment options for a meniscus tear?

Treatment is usually stepwise, starting with non-invasive care and progressing only if needed. Many people improve with education, activity changes, and progressive strengthening, especially when the tear is degenerative or occurs alongside osteoarthritis.⁴ ⁵

Education and activity modification

Early on, many people benefit from temporarily reducing painful twisting, pivoting, and deep bending. Activity is then built back gradually as symptoms settle and confidence improves. Structured programs often last 6 to 12 weeks, with continued gains over several months.⁵

Exercise-based rehabilitation

Rehabilitation focuses on strengthening the thigh, hip, and calf muscles, along with balance and movement control. Large studies show that exercise therapy can lead to similar long-term improvements as arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for many degenerative tears.⁴ ⁵

Medications and injections if needed

Short-term use of anti-inflammatory medications may help reduce pain enough to keep moving and exercising, when appropriate for a person’s overall health.⁹

Injections may provide short-term symptom relief for some people with arthritis-related knee pain, but they do not repair the meniscus itself.⁶

Surgery

Surgery is not the first step for most people, and the decision depends on tear type, symptoms, and response to rehabilitation.² ³

• Meniscus repair may be appropriate for certain tears, often traumatic tears in healthier tissue, with preservation as a key goal.³
• Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is generally discouraged for degenerative tears, as high-quality trials show little added benefit over non-surgical care.⁶ ¹⁰
• Urgent surgical assessment may be needed for a true locked knee.⁷ ⁸

Many people experience meaningful improvement within weeks to a few months of rehabilitation, and long-term outcomes for degenerative tears are often similar with or without surgery.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

How can I find pain relief for a meniscus tear?

Pain relief often comes from combining symptom-calming strategies with a steady plan to rebuild strength.

• Keep moving, but avoid sharp irritators. Walking, cycling, or other low-impact activity can help stiffness while limiting deep bending or twisting that flares pain.³
• Use pacing. If swelling or soreness increases later in the day, it often means activity volume needs to be adjusted and rebuilt more gradually.³
• Build strength and control. Consistent strengthening of the legs and hips improves stability and confidence over time.⁴ ⁵
• Do not panic about clicking. Clicking alone is common and does not usually mean damage that requires surgery.⁶
• Talk with a clinician if symptoms persist. Ongoing locking, worsening swelling, or difficulty bearing weight should be evaluated.⁸ ⁹