Meniscus Tears
If you suffer from severe pain, stiffness or popping, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.
What is a Meniscus Tear?
A meniscus tear occurs when the cartilage in the knee joint tears due to twisting, sudden pivoting, or forceful impact. The meniscus acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone and shin bone, and damage often develops during sports activities, heavy lifting, or age-related wear and degeneration. Tears can occur in different shapes and sizes, and severity depends on the location and extent of cartilage damage.
People with a meniscus tear often experience knee pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty fully bending or straightening the leg. Some individuals notice locking, catching, or a feeling of instability during movement. Diagnosis typically involves physical examination and imaging studies such as MRI scans. Treatment options vary from rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications to surgical repair or partial removal of damaged cartilage when symptoms persist or function becomes limited.
What Causes Meniscus Tears?
Sudden sports injuries commonly cause meniscus tears. Players can squat and twist the knee too far, causing the tear. Direct impact, such as a football tackle sometimes provides enough force to injure the knee.
Older patients tend to suffer more from degenerative meniscal tears. Cartilage tends to weaken and wear down over time, making it more prone to tearing. Even twisting awkwardly when rising from a chair can cause enough stress to tear the tissue, if the menisci has weakened enough with age.
Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear
Patients may feel a “popping” sensation when they tear the meniscus. Most patients will maintain the ability to walk on their injured knee, even athletes can sometimes continue playing with a torn meniscus. Over the course of several days, the knee will gradually stiffen and swell. A Baker’s Cyst may form after the knee suffers any internal injuries.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Catching or locking sensation in knee
- The knee might “give way”
- Inability to fully move your knee through its range of motion
Treatment for a Meniscus Tear
Treatment for a Meniscus tear begins with conservative care for many patients. Specialists recommend rest, activity modification, ice application, compression, and elevation to reduce pain and swelling. Physical therapy strengthens the muscles around the knee, improves flexibility, and restores stable movement patterns that protect the joint. Anti-inflammatory medications help control discomfort while patients avoid twisting or high-impact activities that aggravate the tear.
When symptoms persist or tear severity increases, surgeons perform arthroscopic procedures to trim damaged cartilage or repair the torn meniscus with sutures. Post-surgical recovery includes bracing, gradual weight-bearing, and guided rehabilitation to rebuild strength and restore knee function. Physical therapists lead progressive exercises that improve range of motion, balance, and coordination. Consistent adherence to recovery protocols helps support healing, reduce recurrence risk, and improve long-term joint performance.
If you would like to speak to a Texas Based Orthopedic Specialist, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.
