Meniscus Injuries

What are Meniscus Injuries?

Meniscus injuries involve damage to the C-shaped pieces of cartilage that act as shock absorbers between your thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia). Each knee has two menisci - the medial (inner) and lateral (outer) meniscus. These structures help distribute weight, provide stability, and reduce friction during knee movement.

Meniscus tears can be acute (from sudden trauma) or degenerative (from wear and tear over time). The type, location, and size of the tear determine symptoms and treatment options, with some tears healing naturally whilst others may require surgical intervention.

What Causes Meniscus Injuries?

Meniscus injuries occur through various mechanisms and contributing factors:

Acute injury mechanisms:

  • Sudden twisting or pivoting movements with the foot planted

  • Deep squatting or kneeling with rotational force

  • Direct impact to the knee during contact sports

  • Hyperflexion injuries where the knee bends excessively

  • Combined movements involving rotation and compression

Degenerative mechanisms:

  • Age-related wear and tear of meniscus tissue

  • Repetitive loading activities over time

  • Gradual breakdown from normal daily activities

  • Previous knee injuries affecting meniscus health

  • Altered knee mechanics from other conditions

Sport-specific causes:

  • Football tackles with knee twisting

  • Rugby rucks and mauls with rotational forces

  • Basketball or netball pivoting movements

  • Tennis or squash lunging with rotation

  • Running on uneven surfaces causing awkward steps

Contributing factors:

  • Previous ACL injuries increasing meniscus tear risk

  • Muscle weakness affecting knee stability

  • Poor movement patterns during sport

  • Inadequate warm-up before intense activity

  • Returning to sport too quickly after injury

  • Age-related changes in tissue quality (over 40 years)

What Are the Symptoms?

Meniscus injury symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of tear:

Acute tear symptoms:

  • Sharp pain at the time of injury, often on the joint line

  • Immediate swelling that develops within hours

  • Difficulty continuing activity or bearing weight

  • Feeling of something "catching" or "locking" in the knee

  • Possible audible "pop" at the time of injury

Degenerative tear symptoms:

  • Gradual onset of pain over weeks or months

  • Intermittent swelling after activity

  • Stiffness, particularly after periods of rest

  • Aching pain that may be difficult to localise

  • Symptoms that come and go with activity levels

Mechanical symptoms:

  • Knee locking or inability to fully straighten

  • Catching sensation during movement

  • Clicking or popping sounds with knee motion

  • Feeling of the knee "giving way" during activity

  • Difficulty with deep squatting or kneeling

Location-specific symptoms:

  • Medial meniscus tears: pain on the inside of the knee

  • Lateral meniscus tears: pain on the outside of the knee

  • Posterior horn tears: pain with deep knee bending

  • Anterior horn tears: pain with knee extension

Functional limitations:

  • Reduced performance in sports requiring cutting and pivoting

  • Difficulty with stairs, particularly going down

  • Problems with prolonged walking or standing

  • Impact on activities requiring deep knee bending

  • Compensatory movement patterns affecting hip and ankle

Progressive symptoms:

  • Increasing frequency of locking or catching episodes

  • Gradual loss of knee range of motion

  • Muscle weakness from pain inhibition

  • Development of secondary osteoarthritis over time

Dealing with knee pain and mechanical symptoms? Our specialist team has extensive experience treating meniscus injuries across all levels of sport, from recreational runners to professional rugby players. We provide comprehensive assessment using advanced testing including our Jump Lab and VALD Dynamo equipment to objectively measure knee function, helping determine the most appropriate treatment approach and create targeted rehabilitation programmes for optimal recovery.