Meniscus Tear: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Understanding Meniscus Tears, Knee Pain and Your Treatment Options
A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries we see in clinic. It can occur during sport, twisting movements, squatting, or sometimes gradually with wear over time.
The meniscus is a crescent-shaped piece of cartilage inside the knee joint that helps absorb shock, stabilise the joint and distribute load through the knee. When this cartilage becomes irritated or torn, it can lead to pain, swelling and difficulty moving the knee normally.
At The Body Project in Chatswood, we regularly assess and treat meniscus-related knee pain in runners, gym-goers, and active individuals.
What Is a Meniscus Tear?
The knee contains two menisci:
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Medial meniscus (inside of the knee)
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Lateral meniscus (outside of the knee)
These structures act like cushions between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia).
A meniscus tear occurs when the cartilage is overloaded, compressed or twisted beyond its normal capacity.
This can happen suddenly during sport, or gradually through repeated stress.