The meniscus is a crucial component of the knee joint, one of the most important and vulnerable joints in the body. It plays a vital role in stabilizing the joint, sharing load, and absorbing shock during walking, running, and turning.
How tears happen
Tears often follow a sudden twist with a planted foot, deep squatting, or gradual wear with age. Football, basketball, and running raise the risk, but everyday movement can cause a tear too.
Common symptoms
- Pain on the side of the knee that worsens with twisting or squatting
- Swelling within hours
- A locking or clicking sensation
- Difficulty fully straightening the knee
Accurate diagnosis needs a clinical assessment, and MRI may be requested depending on the case.
Treatment and rehab
Not every tear needs surgery. Many improve with physiotherapy that focuses on:
- Settling pain and swelling early
- Restoring full motion and strength in the thigh and hip
- Balance and movement control before return to sport
After surgery — if it is needed — structured rehabilitation is the key to a safe return.
Prevention
Strengthen the hip and thigh, progress training load gradually, and avoid aggressive twisting when you are fatigued. If knee pain keeps returning, an early assessment at MskCare is better than waiting until it worsens.