About the condition
The menisci help distribute load within the knee. Symptoms and treatment differ between an acute traumatic tear and degenerative changes that may coexist with arthritis.
Treatment options
Assessment considers symptoms, injury history and function. Exercise-based care is appropriate for many presentations. A genuinely locked knee or major acute loss of movement needs timely medical assessment.
Surgical considerations
Repair aims to preserve tissue; partial meniscectomy removes damaged tissue. Root, radial and other repair patterns can require different restrictions. Do not assume one protocol covers every meniscal operation.
Rehabilitation principles
After repair, respect prescribed weight-bearing and movement limits. Progress swelling control, movement and strength before higher-load tasks. Non-operative care and meniscectomy often follow different progression pathways.
Recovery expectations
Your programme should identify the next meaningful milestone and any restrictions. The time needed for tissue healing and sport readiness depends on the tear and procedure.
Evidence context
The EU–US consensus distinguishes tear patterns and treatment pathways. Several recommendations draw on expert consensus where direct evidence is limited.
Research & guidance
Evidence sources checked: 2026-10-11.
Editorial draft — HK+A clinical review pending.