What Is a Torn Meniscus?

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the knee joint, and each knee has two, an inner (medial) and outer (lateral) meniscus. A tear is one of the most common knee injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons. It can happen suddenly during a twisting motion, or it can develop gradually through age-related wear. Florida Orthopedic & Spine Institute evaluates and treats meniscus tears in Naples, Florida, from minor tears managed without surgery to more significant tears requiring surgical repair.

Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear

Common signs of a meniscus tear include:

- Knee pain, especially when twisting, pivoting, or rotating the joint

- Swelling or stiffness that develops within a day or two of the injury

- A catching, popping, or locking sensation when bending or straightening the knee

- Difficulty fully straightening the knee, or a feeling that the knee is "giving way"

Traumatic tears, common in younger or more active patients, tend to cause sudden pain and swelling. Degenerative tears, more common with age, may develop slowly with less obvious onset.

Active woman in her 50s doing a standing yoga pose outdoors in Naples, Florida, representing knee mobility and meniscus tear recovery with care from Florida Orthopedic & Spine Institute

Treatment Options

Many meniscus tears, particularly smaller tears in the outer, better blood-supplied portion of the meniscus, respond to physical therapy, activity modification, and time. When surgery is needed, your surgeon evaluates the tear's location, pattern, and size on MRI to determine whether it can be repaired or requires partial removal of the damaged tissue. This is a decision your surgeon makes based on your specific imaging, not a default approach. If surgery is needed, most meniscus procedures are outpatient, so you go home the same day. Your surgeon will give you specific weight-bearing and activity guidelines based on the type of repair performed, and physical therapy typically starts within the first week to restore range of motion and strength. Questions before your consultation? Call (239) 522-2002 or reach us at [email protected].

When Is It Time to See an Orthopedic Surgeon?

05/13/2026