Torn Meniscus

Meniscus Tear Treatment Options

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Meniscus tears can occur suddenly during a sports game, or from simple daily activities such as turning to put dishes away or twisting when someone calls your name. Damage to the meniscus, which cushions your knee joint can also result from years of wear and tear. Duke knee specialists evaluate the severity of your injury, where it’s located, and the health of your knee joint before recommending meniscus surgery or another treatment.

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When to Seek Treatment

The meniscus is the tissue that cushions and protects the knee joint and surrounding cartilage and bones from the stresses of walking, running, bending, and climbing. Forceful twists from sudden stops or pivots -- common in football, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, and golf -- or deep knee bends can cause the meniscus to tear. Meniscus tears will sometimes occur at the same time as knee ligament injuries such as ACL tears because of the violent forces involved. Meniscus tears can also occur over time due to meniscus degeneration.

When to Make an Appointment
When swelling, pain with walking, locking or catching in the knee, giving way of the knee, and limited range of motion affect your ability to move, it’s time to see a knee specialist.

Visit Duke Orthopaedics Urgent Care
Our convenient orthopaedic urgent care clinic is open seven days a week. Get fast service with a well-trained orthopaedic provider and no unnecessary exposure to illness. No appointment is needed; walk-ins are welcome.

Duke Orthopaedics

Duke Health offers orthopaedic clinics throughout the Triangle. In-person and virtual appointments are available.

Do You Need Meniscus Surgery?

Thorough Evaluation
Deciding on the right course of treatment for your torn meniscus depends on the severity of your injury, the location of the torn meniscus, and the health of your knee joint. Duke knee specialists conduct a thorough physical examination and imaging to determine whether you need meniscus surgery.

  • A physical exam is performed to assess tenderness along the knee joint and to determine if there is popping/clicking of the knee with rotational movement
  • X-rays check for broken bones and the presence of arthritis.
  • An MRI evaluates the soft tissues -- muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons -- of the knee. An MRI helps knee specialists assess the specific part of the cartilage that is damaged.

Wear-and-Tear Injuries 
Older people, whose meniscus tears are the result of age and wear and tear, may benefit from physical therapy and guided exercise, non-steroidal pain medication, and other non-surgical treatment.

Returning to Sports Activities
Athletes who want to return to their normal level of activity may benefit from minimally invasive arthroscopic knee surgery -- during which orthopaedic surgeons repair or remove the damaged meniscus -- and physical therapy. The same meniscus surgery and rehab that helps school athletes and professionals will also benefit weekend warriors who want to stay competitive in their local tennis, soccer, or golf leagues.

Meniscus Surgery

During the meniscus surgery, a small instrument called an arthroscope, which has a camera at its tip, is inserted into your knee. Orthopaedic knee surgeons use arthroscopic knee surgery to pinpoint the location of the meniscus tear and repair or remove the damage, depending on the location and pattern of the tear and condition of the meniscus.

Partial Meniscectomy

If the meniscus is not reparable, your surgeon may need to trim and sculpt the torn edges, preserving as much of the meniscus cartilage as possible.

Meniscus Repair

This may be recommended depending on the type of meniscus tear. In this procedure, the torn meniscus is sewn back together using arthroscopy to place small stitches. A meniscus root tear requires the meniscus to be repaired back to the lower leg bone; this is also performed arthroscopically.

Meniscus Transplant

This may be an option if the entire meniscus is torn and has to be removed. It may be recommended if you are young, have normal alignment, and do not have arthritis in your knee. The transplanted meniscus, which is donated from a cadaver, uses plugs to secure it to the native bone, and stitches secure it to the joint capsule.

Nonsurgical Options

Physical Therapy

Knee-specific exercises strengthen the muscles that surround and stabilize the knee joint. Physical therapy will help prepare your knee for surgery and help you get back to your normal activities faster after surgery. It rarely eliminates the need for meniscus surgery in a younger person or someone without any arthritis. A skilled therapist can provide recommendations for an exercise program as appropriate for the type of tear and discomfort.

Medications

Acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are used to treat pain and swelling associated with meniscus tears.

Office-Based Cortisone Injections

Cortisone injections may temporarily decrease the pain associated with a tear but cannot heal a meniscus tear. These injections are used primarily when the knee is inflamed and swollen and there is arthritis associated with the meniscus tear.

Best Orthopaedic Hospital in North Carolina

Where you receive your care matters. Duke University Hospital is proud of our team and the exceptional care they provide. They are why our orthopaedics program is nationally ranked, and the highest-ranked program in North Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2024–2025.

This page was medically reviewed on 10/28/2021 by