Meniscus tear — clinical guide

Each knee has a medial and lateral meniscus. They act like shock-absorbing rims around the tibial plateau and are essential for normal cartilage loading.

Clinicians often describe the meniscus in terms of anterior horn, body, and posterior horn when discussing tear location.

Tears are broadly traumatic (in a previously normal knee, often with a twisting injury) or degenerative (in a knee with wear changes, sometimes with minimal trauma).

A bucket-handle tear is a longitudinal tear that can displace and cause a locked knee (inability to fully extend passively due to a mechanical block).

A root tear involves detachment near the meniscal anchor; it behaves similarly to losing meniscal function and can accelerate cartilage overload.

A discoid meniscus is a congenital shape variant; it becomes symptomatic mainly when torn or unstable.

Evaluation starts with history and physical examination; MRI is commonly used when a meniscus tear is suspected and management depends on confirming the pattern and symptoms.

Care may be non-operative (including structured physiotherapy) or surgical. Arthroscopic options include partial meniscectomy of unstable tissue versus repair in selected patients (often younger patients, peripheral tears, and better tissue quality).

Not every MRI tear requires surgery; decisions should match symptoms, exam findings, and patient goals after specialist discussion.