Meniscus Tear

What Is It

The menisci are two C-shaped cartilage structures that cushion the joint between the thigh bone and shin bone and contribute to knee stability. A tear occurs when the knee rotates while the foot is planted, often combined with a squat or sudden twist; in older athletes it can also develop gradually through tissue wear.

Signs & Symptoms

• Pain along the joint line, on the inner or outer side of the knee
• Swelling that develops gradually over 24–48 hours after the injury
• A feeling of "locking" or "catching" when trying to fully straighten the knee
• Clicking sensation during movement
• A feeling of instability when squatting or descending stairs

Cause & Mechanism

The most common mechanism is knee rotation under load — typically in football, basketball, handball and combat sports. Degenerative tears occur without a clear traumatic event, as a result of long-term cartilage wear, and are more common in athletes over 35.

Diagnosis

Clinical tests (McMurray's and Thessaly test) indicate the likelihood and location of a tear, while MRI precisely shows the type, size and position of the lesion — key information for deciding between conservative treatment and surgery.

Treatment With Us

Small tears in the well-vascularised outer rim of the meniscus often heal with controlled loading, physiotherapy and strengthening of the surrounding musculature. Larger or unstable tears, particularly those causing joint locking, require arthroscopic intervention — preferably meniscus repair rather than partial removal whenever the anatomy allows, since preserved meniscal tissue protects the knee cartilage long-term.