What it is
Many tears improve with rest, ice, pain relief and physiotherapy exercises.
Keyhole surgery to repair or trim the meniscus may be offered if symptoms continue or the knee locks.
Common signs
- Knee pain, often on one side
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- A catching, clicking or locking feeling
- The knee giving way
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examination of the knee
- MRI scan
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- MRI reports
- Physiotherapy notes
- Orthopaedic letters and operation notes
Questions to ask your doctor
- Will this heal without surgery?
- Which exercises should I do?
- When can I return to sport?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- A knee that is locked and will not straighten, or very swollen and hot with fever: get it checked the same day
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.