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Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Torn meniscus facts
• Introduction to the knee
• What is a torn meniscus?
• What causes a meniscus to tear?
• What are symptoms and signs of a torn meniscus?
• How is a meniscus tear diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for a torn meniscus?
• Can a meniscus tear heal without surgery?
• What is rehabilitation and recovery like for a patient with a meniscus tear?
• What are recommended exercises once a torn meniscus has been repaired?
• Patient Comments: Torn Meniscus - Treatment
• Patient Comments: Torn Meniscus - Surgery To Repair
• Patient Comments: Torn Meniscus - Symptoms
• Find a local Orthopedic Surgeon in your town
• Torn Meniscus Index

The treatment of a meniscus tear depends on its severity, location, and underlying disease within the knee joint. Patient circumstances also may affect the treatment options. Some meniscus tears can be treated conservatively without an operation using anti-inflammatory medications and rehabilitation to strengthen muscles around the knee to prevent joint instability. Patients involved in athletics or whose work is demanding may opt for immediate surgery. Most patients fall in between and the decision to treat the injury conservatively or operative needs to be individualized.

Torn meniscus due to injury

The first steps in treatment after the acute injury usually include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). This may be helpful in easing the inflammation that occurs with a torn meniscus. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen (Advil), may help relieve pain and inflammation. It is important to remember that over-the-counter medications can have side effects and interactions with prescription medications. It is reasonable to ask a health care professional or pharmacist for directions as to which over-the-counter medication might be best. Rest and elevation may require the use of crutches.

Many patients choose initial conservative or nonsurgical treatment for a meniscus tear. Once the initial injury symptoms have calmed, exercise programs may be recommended to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee and add to the stability of the joint. Maintaining an ideal body weight will also help lessen the forces that can stress the knee joint. Orthotics may be useful to distribute the forces generated by walking and running.

If conservative therapy fails, surgery may be a consideration. Knee arthroscopy allows the orthopedic surgeon to assess the tear within the meniscus and repair it. Options include sewing the torn edges together or trimming the torn area and smoothing the injury site.

Degenerative joint disease

In older patients with degenerative joint disease (also known as osteoarthritis), where the cartilage wears out, treatment options may be considered over a longer timetable.

Exercise and muscle strengthening may be an option to protect the joint and maintain range of motion. As well, anti-inflammatory medications may be considered to decrease swelling and pain arising from the knee joint.

Cortisone medication injections into the knee joint may be used to decrease joint inflammation and to bring temporary symptom relief that can last weeks or months. A variety of hyaluronan preparations are approved for mild to moderate knee arthritis and include hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc) and hyaluronan (Orthovisc).

The use of dietary supplements, including chondroitin and glucosamine, have yet to have their effectiveness proven, but many people find relief with their use.

As a last resort, joint replacement may be an option with substantial degeneration of the knee if conservative measures fail and symptoms of pain and decreasing joint range of motion affect quality of life and prevent the patient from performing routine daily activities.