The meniscus is the tough, rubbery cartilage that absorbs shock between the shin bone (tibia) and thigh bone (femur) and distributes weight across the knee joint.

Meniscus tears are one of the most common knee injuries.

What causes a meniscus tear?

Meniscus tears can be acute due to injury, or chronic due to deterioration caused from age or overuse.

Younger patients active in sports are more likely to have an acute tear caused by a high-force injury. Tears often occur when the knee is hit with direct force, and it twists at the same time.

The most common meniscus tears  occur in middle-aged and older people (40+) who have degenerative meniscus that eventually deteriorates and tears, often with very minimal force.

What does it feel like?

Signs that you may have torn your meniscus include:

• Pain
• Swelling that leads to stiffness
• Knee locking
• Limited range of motion

How do I know if I have a meniscus tear?

A history of the injury and a physical examination are essential for diagnosing a meniscus tear. In the physical exam, the doctor or provider will check for tenderness along the meniscus and listen for sounds of popping or catching.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the doctor to see the torn tissue and make a better determination about the severity of the tear.

How are meniscus tears treated?

Meniscus tears are treated according to the severity of the tear, which your specialist will diagnose.

Typically, the acute tears often seen in younger, active patients are repairable with sutures and surgery, while the majority of degenerative tears are just partially removed (debrided).

Possible treatments include:

• Non-surgical treatments to reduce pain and swelling. These could include anti-inflammatory medication, knee braces or crutches, and rest, ice, compression, or elevation.
• Physical therapy to strengthen the leg muscles and restore movement to the knee joint.
• Meniscectomy to remove the damaged portion of the meniscus. This is often done arthroscopically, using cameras and surgical tools inserted into a tiny opening above the knee.
• Meniscus repair to suture the torn meniscus tear together or to use special anchors that connect the meniscus. This is also done using an arthroscope.
• Cartilage transplant is optimal for a patient whose meniscus is torn beyond repair. In this procedure, your surgeon replaces the torn meniscus with cartilage from a cadaver or with cartilage that has been created using the patient's own cells.

Treatment Videos

Watch an educational video about meniscus tears.