Dr. Vaishali Suri (P.T.)
Meniscus Tears: Very Common, Often Manageable
The menisci are two C-shaped cartilage pads in the knee that act as shock absorbers and stabilisers. Meniscus tears occur in two distinct populations: acute traumatic tears in younger athletes (usually from twisting injuries) and degenerative tears in middle-aged and older adults (often without a specific injury). Understanding which type you have is crucial for choosing the right treatment.
The Evidence on Surgery vs Physiotherapy
For degenerative meniscus tears (the most common type), multiple high-quality randomised controlled trials — including the landmark FIDELITY and METEOR trials — show that physiotherapy alone produces outcomes equivalent to arthroscopic surgery at 1–5 year follow-up. Surgery does not provide superior results and carries risks of complications. All major clinical guidelines now recommend physiotherapy as the first-line treatment for degenerative meniscus tears.
For acute traumatic tears in young athletes with mechanical symptoms (locking, giving way), surgical repair may be more appropriate, but physiotherapy is still essential before and after surgery.
Physiotherapy Treatment for Meniscus Tears
Swelling Control
Ice, compression, elevation, and gentle range of motion exercises reduce post-injury swelling. Electrotherapy (IFT) accelerates swelling resolution.
Quadriceps Strengthening
Quadriceps weakness is consistently associated with worse outcomes in meniscus tears. Progressive strengthening — from straight-leg raises through to full squats — is the most important intervention.
Neuromuscular Training
Balance and proprioception exercises restore the neuromuscular control lost with meniscus injury. Single-leg balance, perturbation training, and functional movement patterns are all important.
Biomechanical Correction
Addressing hip and ankle mechanics that increase knee loading — hip strengthening, gait retraining — reduces stress on the meniscus during daily activities and return to sport.
Meniscus Treatment in Faridabad
At Realign Rehab Clinic, NIT-5, Faridabad, we guide each patient through the evidence to make the best treatment decision for their meniscus tear. Book your knee assessment today.