Meniscus Tear – Symptoms & Treatment in Bromley

Key Points

• A meniscus tear is an injury to the cartilage in your knee that cushions and stabilises the joint.

• Tears can happen suddenly (sports injury) or gradually through degeneration with age.

• Symptoms include knee pain, swelling, locking/catching, and difficulty twisting.

• At Bromley Sports Injury Clinic, we offer osteopathic assessment, ultrasound imaging, and tailored rehabilitation, with referral if advanced imaging or surgery is required.

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What is a Meniscus Tear?

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in each knee that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). Each knee has two menisci — one on the inside (medial) and one on the outside (lateral).

A tear can occur:

• Acute tear – often during sport, twisting on a bent knee.

• Degenerative tear – develops gradually in older adults due to wear and tear.

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Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear

• Pain on the inside or outside of the knee

• Swelling (often within hours of injury)

• Clicking, catching, or locking of the knee

• Stiffness or difficulty fully straightening the knee

• A sensation of the knee “giving way”

• Pain when twisting, squatting, or going up/down stairs

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Causes & Risk Factors

• Sports involving twisting, turning, or sudden stops (football, tennis, rugby)

• Heavy lifting or awkward movements at work

• Age-related degeneration in the cartilage

• Previous knee injuries (ligament damage, osteoarthritis)

• Overweight/obesity (increases pressure on the joint)

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Diagnosis of a Meniscus Tear

At Bromley Sports Injury Clinic, diagnosis includes:

• Osteopathic assessment – checking joint line tenderness, swelling, and special tests (e.g. McMurray’s test, Thessaly test)

• Ultrasound imaging – to assess joint effusion, inflammation, and rule out other knee pathology (meniscus itself is best seen on MRI, but ultrasound is valuable for surrounding tissues and guiding care)

• Blood tests – in degenerative cases, we may check for metabolic contributors (cholesterol, diabetes, vitamin D, inflammatory markers) which can affect cartilage health

• Referral for MRI if a complex tear or surgery is being considered

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Self-Help for a Meniscus Tear

• Rest from activities that worsen pain (twisting, squatting, running)

• Apply ice packs for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours in the first 48 hours after injury

• Keep the knee gently moving to avoid stiffness

• Use simple pain relief (paracetamol or short-term NSAIDs if tolerated)

• Strengthen surrounding muscles with safe exercises (guided by a professional)

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Treatment Options at Bromley Sports Injury Clinic

✅ Osteopathic treatment – to restore mobility, reduce stiffness, and improve knee function

✅ Exercise rehabilitation – strengthening quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip stabilisers to protect the knee

✅ Sports massage – reducing muscle tension around the thigh and calf

✅ Ultrasound imaging – to monitor swelling and guide rehab

✅ Blood testing & health review – addressing systemic factors that affect cartilage and joint health

✅ Referral to orthopaedic consultants – if locking, mechanical symptoms, or severe tears require surgical evaluation (arthroscopy or repair)

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Prevention

• Warm up properly before sport

• Strengthen the muscles around the knee and hips

• Avoid sudden increases in training load

• Use correct technique when lifting

• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce joint strain

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FAQs – Meniscus Tear

Q: Do all meniscus tears need surgery?
No. Many improve with conservative treatment (rehab + osteopathy). Surgery is usually reserved for severe or persistent tears.

Q: Can ultrasound diagnose a meniscus tear?
Ultrasound can assess swelling and rule out related problems, but MRI is the gold standard for directly visualising a meniscus tear.

Q: How long does recovery take?
Minor tears may improve in 6–8 weeks. Larger or degenerative tears may take several months, depending on severity and activity level.

Q: Why would blood tests be useful?
They help identify underlying contributors such as diabetes or vitamin D deficiency that may weaken joint tissues.

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Book Your Appointment

Don’t let knee pain hold you back. Book your Meniscus Tear assessment in Bromley today and take the first step toward recovery.

📍 Bromley Sports Injury Clinic | Same-week appointments available