How long does physiotherapy take to work for meniscus tear?

The meniscus is cartilage that helps distribute load inside the knee. The tear's position and pattern, swelling, locking, age of the injury and other knee damage all influence recovery. Therapy may use gentle range-of-motion work, thigh and hip strengthening, balance training and gradual practice of stairs or squatting. Some tears respond to rehabilitation, while ongoing locking or instability may require an orthopaedic assessment. Reduced pain is encouraging, but it does not by itself show that every activity is ready.

Follow the exercise plan and keep knee loading within the range your clinician recommends. Use short, manageable activity periods and avoid repeated deep squats, twisting or kneeling if they provoke catching or swelling. Ice or other symptom-relief measures should be used only as advised. Note whether the knee can fully straighten, how long you can walk and what triggers swelling; these details help the therapist adjust progression.

Get prompt medical assessment if the knee becomes locked, cannot fully straighten, rapidly swells after injury, cannot bear weight, or is accompanied by severe pain, numbness or a visible deformity. Arrange review if catching and giving way continue, pain is worsening, or function is not improving during the agreed rehabilitation review period.

Ask where the tear is, whether it is suitable for rehabilitation, which movements to avoid, and what improvement should be visible before activity is advanced. Ask when persistent locking, swelling or instability should lead to imaging or an orthopaedic review.