The short answer
A meniscus tear is a tear of the C-shaped cartilage that cushions the knee, causing pain along the joint line, swelling, and sometimes catching or locking. Many tears — especially age-related, degenerative ones — improve without surgery through physical therapy, activity modification, and image-guided injections; surgery is reserved for mechanical locking or tears that fail conservative care.
Medically reviewed by Marc Gruner, DO, MBA, RMSK
Sports medicine physician, Mayo Clinic fellowship. Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
The menisci are two wedges of cartilage that cushion and stabilize the knee. Tears happen either acutely, from a twist or squat, or gradually, as the tissue degenerates with age. Symptoms include pain along the inner or outer joint line, swelling, and at times a catching, clicking, or locking sensation.
Research shows that many degenerative meniscus tears do just as well with rehabilitation as with surgery. Dr. Gruner emphasizes physical therapy, activity modification, and — for the right patient — image-guided injections or orthobiologics such as PRP, reserving arthroscopy for a true locked knee or tears that don't settle with conservative care.
Common symptoms
- Pain along the inner or outer joint line
- Swelling after activity
- Catching, clicking, or locking
- A feeling that the knee may give way
Videos from Dr. Gruner
Causes of Knee Pain: Arthritis vs. Meniscus Tear vs. Ligament Tear
Knee Pain When Bending — Important Causes Explained
What to expect at your visit
- 1.
A focused conversation
Dr. Gruner reviews your history, prior imaging, and goals — what you want to get back to doing.
- 2.
Point-of-care ultrasound
When useful, a diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluates the injury in real time, with no radiation.
- 3.
A clear, individualized plan
You leave understanding the diagnosis, the non-surgical options, and the expected timeline — in plain language.
Frequently asked questions
- Do all meniscus tears need surgery?
- No. Many degenerative meniscus tears improve with physical therapy, activity modification, and image-guided injections, and studies show outcomes similar to surgery for these. A knee that truly locks, or a tear that fails conservative care, may warrant an arthroscopy.