What is it?
The menisci are two C-shaped cartilage discs in the knee that act as shock absorbers between the thigh and shin bones. Tears can occur through acute injury or gradual degeneration. Many meniscus tears respond well to physiotherapy without surgery.
Common causes
- Sudden twisting of the knee during sport
- Deep squatting or kneeling (degenerative tears)
- Age-related degeneration (common over 40)
- Prior knee injury weakening the joint
- Direct impact to the knee
Signs and symptoms
- Pain on the inner or outer side of the knee
- Swelling developing over 24–48 hours
- Knee stiffness and limited bending
- Locking or clicking with movement
- Pain with squatting or going up and down stairs
Physiotherapy treatment at VPARC
- Activity modification and swelling management initially
- Quadriceps and hip strengthening
- Proprioception and balance training
- Manual therapy for joint stiffness
- Post-surgical rehabilitation if repair or removal is performed
What you can do at home
- Avoid deep squatting and kneeling in the acute phase
- Apply ice for 15 minutes after activity
- Keep the leg elevated when resting to reduce swelling
- Walk on flat surfaces and avoid twisting movements initially
When to visit VPARC
Visit VPARC after any significant knee injury with swelling. Research shows many meniscus tears (especially degenerative) recover as well with physiotherapy as with surgery.
Call +91 98896 78838 or read more on our Knee Pain Treatment in Varanasi page. This leaflet is general information and does not replace a medical assessment.