What is the first treatment for a meniscus tear?

The meniscus is a pad of cartilage that helps distribute load in the knee. A tear can cause pain, swelling, clicking, or difficulty with bending, but the treatment depends on the tear pattern, its location, knee stability, age-related changes, and your activity needs. Physiotherapy can build strength around the knee and improve movement control while symptoms settle. Not every tear needs an operation.

Reduce activities that involve deep squatting, twisting, kneeling, or sudden direction changes. Keep gentle knee movement within a tolerable range and use the symptom-relief measures recommended by your clinician. Physiotherapy may begin with swelling control and range of motion, then add quadriceps, hip, and balance exercises. If the knee remains locked, repeatedly gives way, or continues to limit daily life, a specialist may discuss knee arthroscopy and whether meniscus repair or partial meniscectomy is appropriate.

Get prompt assessment if the knee is locked and cannot fully straighten, you cannot bear weight, swelling develops rapidly after an injury, or the leg becomes numb or cold. Urgent care is also needed for a deformed knee, fever with a hot swollen joint, or severe pain after major trauma. These signs may indicate a fracture, infection, significant ligament injury, or another problem alongside the tear.

What type and location of tear do you suspect? Which activities should I pause? How will we judge whether physiotherapy is helping, and when would an operation be considered?