Knee Meniscus Tears

Knee meniscus tears cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and locking. Physiotherapy, strengthening, and rehabilitation aid recovery, while regenerative treatments may support healing in selected patients.

Understanding Meniscus Tears

The menisci are C-shaped cartilage discs that cushion the knee and provide stability. Each knee has two — medial (inner) and lateral (outer). Tears may be acute (from sudden twisting or bending) or degenerative (gradual wear over time). Because the inner zone of the meniscus has poor blood supply, many tears heal slowly and benefit from targeted rehabilitation or regenerative treatment.

Causes

Sudden twisting or deep bending of the knee under load
High-impact sports such as football, basketball, and skiing
Gradual degenerative wear in middle-aged and older adults
Combined injury, often occurring alongside ligament injuries

Symptoms

A popping sound at the time of injury
Swelling developing within 24–72 hours
Knee stiffness and restricted bending
A locking or catching sensation
Instability or a giving-way sensation

Treatment

Most meniscus tears — particularly degenerative tears and partial tears — can be managed successfully without surgery. Physiotherapy is the first-line treatment and produces excellent outcomes in the majority of patients.

Pain and swelling management in the acute phase
Progressive knee strengthening targeting the quadriceps and hamstrings
Hip and core strengthening to reduce meniscal load
Flexibility and mobility restoration
Return to activity planning with gradual load progression

Rehabilitation & Exercise

Caution: Perform all exercises only as directed by your Healthweave clinician. Stop any exercise that increases your pain and inform your practitioner. Exercise programs are tailored to individual needs and must not be self-prescribed.

Rehabilitation for meniscus tears is progressive, starting with low-load activation exercises and advancing to full functional strength and movement. Your clinician will guide the appropriate pace and exercise selection.

Isometric quadriceps activation and early strengthening
Progressive knee strengthening, including leg press, step exercises, and half squats
Hip and core strengthening to offload the meniscus
Balance and proprioception retraining
Gradual return to running, cutting, and jumping activities

Specialist & Regenerative Medicine Options

For meniscus tears that are slow to respond to physiotherapy, our Prestidge sports physicians can offer regenerative treatments that may support meniscal healing.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy — Image-guided PRP injection into the knee joint delivers growth factors that may support meniscal repair, particularly in vascular zone tears.
Hyaluronic Acid — Restoring joint lubrication reduces mechanical stress on the torn meniscus.
Corticosteroid Injections — Used for acute inflammatory flares that limit rehabilitation.
Stem Cell Therapy — Considered for significant meniscal degeneration or avascular zone tears, within TGA guidelines.
Post-Surgical Regenerative Rehabilitation — PRP may be used alongside physiotherapy following meniscectomy or meniscal repair.

Our sports and exercise physicians at Prestidge work alongside your treating clinician to determine the most appropriate option for your condition, goals, and stage of recovery. All injectable and prescription treatments are subject to individual clinical assessment. Visit healthweave.com.au or prestidge.com to learn more.

Important: All specialist consultations, prescription treatments, and injectable procedures are subject to individual clinical assessment by a registered medical practitioner. Suitability, benefits, and risks will be discussed at your consultation. No outcomes are guaranteed. Prescription medicines are only available following appropriate medical review in accordance with TGA and AHPRA requirements. Exercise programs should be performed only as directed by your Healthweave clinician. Exercise images © CPDO / Educom Pty. Ltd. — used under licence.

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