What is a meniscus tear?

Each knee has two menisci, C-shaped wedges of tough cartilage that sit between the thigh bone and shin bone and act as shock absorbers and stabilizers. A meniscus tear is a split in this cartilage, usually from twisting or rotating the knee while the foot is planted, from a deep squat, or from a direct impact in a fall or collision. Tears are described by their shape and location, such as bucket-handle, radial, or flap tears, and the outer third of the meniscus has better blood supply and more healing potential than the inner portion. Because the meniscus has limited blood flow overall, not every tear heals on its own.

Meniscus tear symptoms

Meniscus symptoms are often mechanical and tied to specific motions like squatting, pivoting, or twisting. Pain typically settles along the joint line, the seam where the bones meet.

• Pain along the inner or outer joint line, worse with twisting or squatting
• Clicking, catching, or a sensation of something moving in the knee
• The knee locking or getting stuck, unable to fully straighten
• Swelling that develops gradually over a day or two rather than immediately
• A feeling that the knee gives way, plus stiffness and reduced motion

How a meniscus tear is diagnosed

A clinician palpates along the joint line for tenderness and performs rotational tests such as the McMurray and Thessaly tests that load and compress the meniscus to reproduce a click or pain. X-rays do not show the meniscus but rule out fracture and assess for arthritis that can coexist with tears. An MRI is the main imaging tool to confirm the tear, define its shape and location, and check for associated ligament or cartilage injury. Findings are interpreted alongside symptoms, because some tears seen on MRI are not the source of pain.

Meniscus tear treatment

Many meniscus tears, especially smaller ones and those with mechanical symptoms that settle, are managed without surgery. Treatment reduces swelling, restores motion, and strengthens the muscles around the knee so the joint is better supported and protected. Orthopedic surgical evaluation is considered for a locked knee that cannot straighten, for a large unstable tear such as a displaced bucket-handle fragment, or for persistent catching, locking, and pain that do not improve after a fair trial of non-surgical care.

• Physical therapy to restore range of motion and strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hips
• Activity modification and short-term load reduction, with crutches if needed early on
• Anti-inflammatory measures and image-guided injections from pain-management specialists when appropriate
• Chiropractic and manual therapy to address gait changes and compensating strain
• Orthopedic surgical evaluation for a locked knee, an unstable tear, or symptoms that persist

Recovery & when to see a doctor

Recovery depends on the tear’s size and location, whether the knee locks, and your activity demands; progress is individual and no specific timeline can be promised. See a doctor if your knee locks or cannot fully straighten, if it repeatedly catches or gives way, or if pain and swelling persist after a twisting injury. A locked knee should be evaluated promptly. Our Long Island team coordinates orthopedic, physical therapy, chiropractic, and pain-management care so the right path, non-surgical or surgical, is chosen together.

Related care at Injury Recovery MD

• knee pain
• sports injury care

Long Island offices & service areas

We treat patients across Nassau and Suffolk County from offices including Medford, Islandia, East Islip, Mineola, Bohemia, Smithtown and Stony Brook. Find your nearest office →

Not near one of our offices? We can help arrange transportation to your appointment, or coordinate your care with providers in our Long Island network — call (631) 560-8357 to ask.

Meniscus tear FAQ

Does a meniscus tear always need surgery?

No. Many tears, especially smaller ones and those whose mechanical symptoms settle, are managed with physical therapy and other non-surgical care. A locked knee, a large unstable tear, or persistent catching and pain are reasons for orthopedic surgical evaluation.

Why is my knee locking or catching?

A torn flap of meniscus cartilage can fold or wedge between the bones and block the joint, causing the knee to catch or lock so you cannot fully straighten it. This mechanical symptom should be evaluated promptly.

Is meniscus treatment covered by No-Fault or Workers’ Comp?

If the tear came from a car accident, treatment is generally billed to New York No-Fault auto coverage; a work injury is billed to Workers’ Comp. Eligible patients typically pay $0 out of pocket for covered visits, and we verify coverage before care begins.

Is it safe to keep walking on a torn meniscus?

For many tears, protected walking is part of recovery and helps maintain motion and strength. A knee that locks, will not fully straighten, or gives way is a different situation and should be evaluated promptly rather than walked off. Crutches and short-term load reduction are sometimes used early while swelling settles.

My MRI shows a meniscus tear — does that mean it is causing my pain?

Not necessarily. Meniscus changes are commonly seen on imaging in people who have no symptoms at all, so a tear on a report is interpreted alongside your exam and where the pain actually sits. Treatment decisions are based on how the knee behaves, not on the MRI in isolation.