Patient education: Meniscal tear (The Basics)

What is a meniscal tear? — A meniscal tear is a condition that causes knee pain and other knee symptoms. It happens when a part of the knee joint called the "meniscus" tears. The meniscus is the cushion of rubbery material (cartilage) inside the knee, between the thigh bone and shin bone (figure 1).

There are different kinds of meniscal tears, depending on the part of the cartilage that tears and how it tears.

A meniscal tear can happen suddenly, such as during a sports injury. It can also happen slowly over time. This is more common in older adults.

What are the symptoms of a meniscal tear? — Symptoms of a meniscal tear can include:

●Knee pain

●Knee swelling (from a collection of fluid inside the knee)

●The knee locks, does not straighten all the way, or feels like it "catches" on something as it straightens

●The knee gives out, feels unstable, or feels like it won't support you

●Knee stiffness

Is there a test for a meniscal tear? — Yes. Your doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam to check how your knee and leg move.

Your doctor or nurse might order an X-ray of your knee. They might also order an imaging test such as an MRI scan. Imaging tests create pictures of the inside of the body.

If your doctor is still unsure if you have a meniscal tear, they might recommend surgery called "arthroscopy." This lets the doctor look inside your knee at the meniscus. During arthroscopy, the doctor makes a few small cuts around the knee. Then they insert long, thin tools into the knee joint. One tool has a camera on the end (figure 2). It sends pictures to a TV screen that the doctor sees. If you have a meniscal tear, the doctor can use the tools to treat it.

How is a meniscal tear treated? — Treatment depends on which part of the meniscus is torn, how small or large the tear is, how long you have had the tear, your symptoms, and your individual situation.

Treatment for a meniscal tear usually involves:

●Resting your knee – Avoid movements that worsen the pain. Try not to squat, kneel, or run.

●Raising your knee above the level of your heart, for example, by propping it up on pillows – This is helpful only for the first few days after an injury.

●Putting ice on your knee – Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the knee every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin. Use the ice (or other cold object) for at least 6 hours after the injury. Some people find it helpful to ice up to 2 days after the injury. It can also help after doing activities that make your pain worse.

●Using crutches to walk, if you have severe pain

●Wearing a knee brace, if your knee feels unstable

●Taking a pain-relieving medicine, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin)

●Doing exercises to strengthen the muscles around your knee – After your pain improves, your doctor or nurse will show you exercises to do. They might also have you work with a physical therapist (exercise expert).

In many cases, symptoms improve with this treatment. But if you have a large tear, or your symptoms don't improve, your doctor might recommend surgery. During surgery, the doctor will treat the tear. This might involve removing part or all of your meniscus or repairing the tear. Surgery is usually not helpful for people who are middle-aged or older and whose meniscus has worn down over time.

How long does a meniscal tear take to heal? — It depends on the type of tear and the person's age and health. Most meniscal tears do not heal completely. Small tears usually do not cause major problems, but large tears might require surgery.

If you have a meniscal tear that has happened slowly over time, it probably will not heal completely. But physical therapy can help you strengthen your knee and feel better.

When should I call my doctor or nurse? — After treatment, your doctor or nurse will tell you when to call. In general, you should call if:

●You have severe pain, or your pain or swelling gets worse

●You have a fever with knee pain, swelling, and redness

●You have numbness or tingling in the lower leg, foot, or toes

●Your knee locks and you can't get it unlocked

What else should I know? — People with a meniscal tear have a higher chance of getting a condition called osteoarthritis later on. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, which is the general term for inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis can cause joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.

More on this topic

Patient education: Knee pain (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use crutches (The Basics)
Patient education: Osteoarthritis (The Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (The Basics)
Patient education: Giving your child over-the-counter medicines (The Basics)
Patient education: Minimally invasive surgery (The Basics)
Patient education: Questions to ask if you are having surgery or a procedure (The Basics)
Patient education: Knee sprain (The Basics)
Patient education: Knee arthroscopy (The Basics)

Patient education: Knee pain (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Osteoarthritis symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Beyond the Basics)