Meniscal Tear

At the time of injury, some people feel a snapping or popping sensation. You may still be able to walk after injuring your knee, but it will gradually become stiff and develop swelling over a day or so. The pain is often described as stabbing and is often felt on one side of your knee. 

Symptoms of a meniscal tear include:

• pain and tenderness around your knee joint 

• swelling

• stiffness 

• feeling like your knee is catching or locking when your knee is bent

• feeling like your knee is about to give way

• inability to fully bend and straighten your knee 

• a clicking or crunching sensation when you move your knee

• difficulty walking

Meniscal tears commonly happen during sports where you twist your knee while your foot stays planted on the ground, such as during sudden changes in direction.

They can also occur in people with age-related degeneration of knee cartilage from normal activities such as standing up, twisting or walking awkwardly.

At your Welbeck appointment, you’ll be seen by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who will ask you about your symptoms, general health, medical history, and any medications you take regularly. They’ll also examine your knee. 

Your consultant can usually diagnose a meniscal tear from your symptoms and physical examination, but may also order imaging tests such as an MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis and check for any other abnormalities.

To prevent or reduce your risk of a meniscal tear: 

• build strength and flexibility in your thigh and calf muscles to help support and stabilise your knee joint and reduce strain on your knee

• wear the proper footwear for your chosen activity 

• wear a knee brace to support and protect your knee joint 

• ensure you use the proper technique and form during sports and activities to minimise the risk of injury 

• warm up and cool down properly before and after exercising

• build up your activity level gradually

• allow your body enough time to rest and recover between activities

A meniscal tear is usually treatable, and you can expect to make a full recovery, but an untreated meniscal tear can lead to complications such as: 

• chronic pain and stiffness

• knee instability 

• reduced knee function 

• an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis in the affected knee joint in the future

Most meniscal tears need treatment and are unlikely to get better on their own.

The type of treatment for meniscal tears depends on the severity and location of the tear, when the injury occurred and other factors such as your age and general health. 

Treatment for meniscal tears can be nonsurgical or surgical. 

Nonsurgical treatments are usually tried first and include over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, and the RICE method. 

The RICE method involves: 

• rest – rest your knee as much as possible and avoid activities that cause pain or make your symptoms worse

• ice – apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth or towel to your knee for 10 to 20 minutes several times a day 

• compression – use a compression bandage to support and stabilise your knee joint 

• elevation – keep your knee elevated when resting 

Your consultant may also recommend physiotherapy to treat your meniscal tear. 

If your symptoms haven’t improved with nonsurgical treatments, your consultant may recommend surgery. 

Surgery for meniscal tears may include: 

• arthroscopy – a type of minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery that allows your consultant to examine, and in some cases, treat your meniscal tear

• partial meniscectomy – surgery to remove part of the meniscus

• meniscus repair  – surgery to repair your meniscus by stitching the torn pieces together

• meniscus transplant – removes the damaged meniscus and replaces it with donor tissue

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.