Physical therapy for
a meniscus tear

Does physical therapy help for people with a meniscus tear?

Yes, for many people, physical therapy can reduce pain, improve function, and help you return to daily activities, even if the tear does not fully “heal” on an MRI. This is especially true for degenerative meniscus tear, which are common as we age and often overlap with early knee osteoarthritis. High-quality studies show that, for many degenerative tears, exercise-based rehabilitation can work as well as arthroscopic partial meniscectomy over the long term.¹ ²

• Strength, especially in the thighs, hips, and calves, which helps reduce stress on the knee³
• Mobility, restoring comfortable bending and straightening³
• Motor control, or how the knee manages load during walking, stairs, squatting, and turning³
• Pain regulation, by gradually rebuilding tolerance and confidence with movement³

It is often a first-line treatment because it addresses the real-life drivers of symptoms, such as weakness, swelling sensitivity, and movement habits, without removing meniscus tissue. Many expert guidelines recommend starting with non-surgical care for degenerative meniscus tear, unless there is true locking or another clear reason to operate.⁴

What sets physical therapy apart from passive treatments is that it is active and skill-building. You learn how to move, load the knee, and progress activity safely, rather than only trying to temporarily calm symptoms.³

Goals of physical therapy for a meniscus tear

The goal is not just to protect the tear. It is to help your knee feel more reliable again so you can return to the activities that matter to you.

Common short-term goals

• Reducing swelling and irritability so walking and stairs feel easier³
• Restoring comfortable knee straightening and bending, especially full extension³
• Improving quad, hip, and calf strength to reduce knee strain during daily tasks³

Common longer-term goals

• Building tolerance for deeper knee bending, kneeling, squatting, or getting up from the floor, if those movements are important to you³
• Returning to sport or higher-level activity with better control during pivoting, cutting, and landing³
• Reducing the risk of flare-ups by improving strength, movement strategies, and load management³

Programs vary based on tear type, symptoms, swelling, strength, and personal goals. Plans should be individualized and progressed based on function, not just time.³

What results can I expect with physical therapy?

Many people notice meaningful improvement within 6 to 12 weeks of a structured strengthening and movement program, with continued gains over the following months as strength and confidence build.² ³

For degenerative meniscus tear, long-term outcomes for pain and function are often similar with exercise therapy compared to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, which is why rehabilitation is commonly recommended first.¹ ² ⁴

You may also notice:

• Better movement quality and control during walking, stairs, and sit-to-stand tasks³
• Reduced pain during daily activities and fewer flare-ups over time³
• Improved confidence and quality of life as the knee feels more trustworthy³

Recovery is not identical for everyone. Early progress can include ups and downs, but over time many people can do more with less pain and fear. A true locked knee, where the knee cannot fully straighten, is different and should be assessed urgently.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

An international guideline panel strongly recommends against routine knee arthroscopy for degenerative meniscus tear, because athe verage benefits are small and short-lived while surgical risks still exist. For most people, care should start with strengthening and movement unless there is true locking or another clear surgical indication.⁴