Meniscal Tears: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and How Physiotherapy Can Help

Reviewed by the Physiotherapy Team at Waterloo Sports Medicine Centre 

A meniscal tear is a common knee injury that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty with activities such as walking, squatting, running, or playing sports. The meniscus plays an important role in knee stability and shock absorption, and injuries can occur from sudden twisting movements or gradual changes over time. 

What Is a Meniscal Tear? 

The knee contains two menisci: the medial meniscus on the inside of the knee and the lateral meniscus on the outside. These C-shaped pieces of cartilage sit between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). 

The menisci help to: 

• Absorb shock during movement 

• Distribute forces across the knee joint 

• Improve knee stability 

• Protect the cartilage and bones within the joint 

  
  

A meniscal tear occurs when the cartilage becomes damaged or torn. Tears can occur suddenly during an injury or develop gradually due to age-related changes and repeated stress on the knee.

What Causes Meniscal Tears? 

Meniscal tears can happen due to either a sudden injury or gradual wear and tear. 

Traumatic meniscal tears: 

These commonly occur during sports or activities involving: 

• Twisting or pivoting movements 

• Sudden changes in direction 

• Deep squatting 

• Landing awkwardly from a jump 

• A direct impact to the knee 

  
  

Degenerative meniscal tears: 

These develop gradually as the meniscus becomes less flexible with age. They are more common in middle-aged and older adults and may occur without a specific injury.

Risk Factors 

Factors that may increase the risk of a meniscal tear include: 

• Participation in sports involving cutting, pivoting, or contact 

• Previous knee injuries 

• Increasing age 

• Repetitive stress on the knee 

• Muscle weakness or poor movement control 

• Reduced knee stability 

  
  

Common Symptoms of a Meniscal Tear 

Symptoms vary depending on the severity and location of the tear. Common symptoms include: 

• Knee pain, especially with twisting or squatting 

• Swelling or stiffness 

• A clicking, catching, or locking sensation 

• Feeling like the knee may give way 

• Reduced range of motion 

• Difficulty walking, running, or participating in sports 

Some meniscal tears may cause minimal symptoms and are only discovered through imaging. 

Do All Meniscal Tears Require Surgery? 

Not all meniscal tears require surgery. The appropriate treatment depends on factors such as the type of tear, symptoms, age, activity level, and overall knee health. For many individuals, physiotherapy and exercise-based rehabilitation can be effective for first-line treatments. Surgery may be considered when symptoms persist despite appropriate rehabilitation or when there are specific concerns.

How Can Physiotherapy Help? 

• Education about activity modification and symptom management 

• Exercises to improve knee strength and stability 

• Quadriceps, hamstring, and hip strengthening 

• Balance and proprioception training 

• Mobility exercises to restore knee movement 

• Movement retraining for activities such as squatting, running, and jumping 

• Gradual return-to-sport programming 

Recovery and Rehabilitation Timeline 

Recovery depends on the type and severity of the meniscal tear and whether surgery is required. 

Treatment Approach	Typical Recovery Timeline
Mild meniscal tear managed with physiotherapy	6–12 weeks
Conservative treatment for degenerative tears	Several weeks to months
Meniscus repair surgery	Approximately 3–6 months for return to higher-level activities
Partial meniscectomy surgery	Approximately 4–8 weeks for many individuals

When Should You Seek Treatment? 

You should consider seeing a healthcare professional if you experience: 

• Persistent knee pain or swelling 

• Difficulty walking or participating in activities 

• Locking or catching of the knee 

• A feeling of instability or giving way 

• Symptoms that do not improve with rest and activity modification 

  
  

Looking for meniscal tear treatment in Kitchener-Waterloo? At the Waterloo Sports Medicine Centre, our experienced physiotherapists provide evidence-based assessment and rehabilitation programs to reduce pain, restore function, and help you safely return to the activities you enjoy.