Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary A meniscus tear is a common knee injury. The meniscus is a rubbery, C-shaped disc that cushions your knee. Each knee has two menisci (plural of meniscus)—one at the outer edge of the knee and one at the inner edge. The menisci keep your knee steady by balancing your weight across the knee. A torn meniscus can prevent your knee from working right. A meniscus tear is usually caused by twisting or turning quickly, often with the foot planted while the knee is bent. These tears can occur when you lift something heavy or play sports. Other knee injuries, such as a torn ligament, can happen at the same time. As you get older, your meniscus gets worn. This can make it tear more easily. Symptoms of a meniscus tear depend on the size and location of the tear. They also depend on your age and the health of your knee. Symptoms may include things like knee pain, swelling, or stiffness. It may be hard to walk. Your knee may feel unstable, or it may be hard to straighten all the way. Or you may feel like your knee "catches" when you move. Some people have severe pain and swelling right away when the tear happens. Or they might have less pain and swelling at first but then notice that it gets worse over a few days. Older people sometimes don't notice when the tear happens. But then they notice symptoms later. Your doctor will ask how the injury happened and if you have ever had any other knee injuries. Your doctor may also ask you about pain, swelling, locking, or buckling of the knee. You will have a physical exam to find out if you have a torn meniscus and to rule out other knee injuries. Your doctor will check both knees for tenderness, range of motion, and knee stability. X-rays are usually done. Based on your symptoms and the physical exam, your doctor may diagnose a meniscus tear. They may suggest that you follow up with an orthopedic surgeon, although it is not always needed. Your doctor or the orthopedic surgeon may suggest other tests such as an MRI or arthroscopy. If your pain is very bad at first, you might go to the emergency room. If your pain is not so bad, you may wait to see if it goes away. Most people go to the doctor when pain and swelling comes back after they use their knee. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that provides pictures of organs, bones, and joints. It makes these images by using a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy. MRI gives a good picture of the size of a meniscus tear and where it is. It also shows ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. MRIs of the knee are helpful to identify a meniscus tear and to find any related injuries to the ligament, cartilage, and tendons. Arthroscopy is a way to find problems and do surgery inside a joint without making a large cut (incision). Your doctor puts a lighted tube with a tiny camera—called an arthroscope, or scope—and surgical tools through small incisions. Your doctor may recommend that you have arthroscopy instead of MRI if they think you might benefit from surgery to repair or remove part or all of your meniscus. You will not have any side effects from the MRI test. But you may have some discomfort. For example: Risks of arthroscopy include: After arthroscopy, you may have swelling around the incision. This should go away within 2 weeks. It's normal for the site to feel tender for about a week. A small amount of bleeding from the incision is normal. Ask your doctor how much drainage to expect. It may take several weeks to recover from arthroscopy. Your doctor may give you pain medicine and recommend rehabilitation exercises for you to do while you recover. You may have some soreness and pain after the procedure. You may need to apply ice to the joint and prop up the leg to reduce swelling and pain. Keep the bandages that cover your incision clean and dry. How your doctor treats your meniscus tear depends upon the size and location of the tear; when the injury happened; your pain, age, health status, and activity level; and your surgeon's preference. Your treatment choices are: Other knee injuries, such as to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or the medial collateral ligament, may happen at the same time as a meniscus tear. Your doctor may be able to find this out during a physical exam. In these cases, the meniscus tear will be treated as part of the treatment for the other injury. Your doctor may advise you to have an MRI test or arthroscopy because: Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. I felt some strain on my knee while I was playing handball 2 weeks ago, and since then I've had swelling and pain on one side of my knee. My doctor thinks I probably have a tear in my meniscus and maybe some other knee damage. I've been using ice and resting my knee a lot, but I've still got quite a bit of pain. My doctor is now recommending that I have an MRI to see what's going on in there. She says that an MRI will give us a good idea of what is injured and will help us make the decision about treatment. I'm going to go ahead and get the MRI. Ahmed, age 30 I started noticing pain in my knee about 2 months ago, although I can't say what exactly I did to injure it. I can't seem to squat or kneel without increasing the pain. My orthopedic surgeon thinks it might be an age-related degeneration of the meniscus and is recommending that I do physical therapy and avoid painful activities. My doctor said that an MRI might be helpful later if surgery looks like an option. I like this plan to wait before having a test. Theo, age 60 I was playing with my kids and twisted my knee a few days ago. It's really swollen and painful, and sometimes it feels like it gets stuck. My doctor is pretty sure I have a meniscus tear. She's recommending arthroscopy so she can see exactly what's torn and see if she can repair it at the same time. I don't like the idea of surgery, but I do like the idea of getting it all taken care of at one time. Letitia, age 33 My knee started hurting the night after I had a strenuous game of pick-up basketball. After my doctor examined me and listened to my description of the game and my symptoms, it didn't take him long to say that he thought it was a meniscus tear. My doctor thinks it's a small tear and recommends that I start rehabilitation soon. Meanwhile, I'm resting my knee and being very careful to avoid any twisting or stress on the knee. Peter, age 35 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to choose an MRI or arthroscopy Reasons to choose home treatment or physical therapy I'm in a lot of pain, and I want to have arthroscopy so I can start feeling better. My pain isn't too bad. I'm not worried about being in a confined space during an MRI test. I don't want to have an MRI test. I'm not worried about the costs for an MRI or arthroscopy. I'm worried about the costs. I want to have the test if it will help me decide whether or not to have surgery for my torn meniscus. I know that I don't want to have surgery for any reason. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. MRI or arthroscopy Home treatment or physical therapy Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. A meniscus tear is a common knee injury. The meniscus is a rubbery, C-shaped disc that cushions your knee. Each knee has two menisci (plural of meniscus)—one at the outer edge of the knee and one at the inner edge. The menisci keep your knee steady by balancing your weight across the knee. A torn meniscus can prevent your knee from working right. A meniscus tear is usually caused by twisting or turning quickly, often with the foot planted while the knee is bent. These tears can occur when you lift something heavy or play sports. Other knee injuries, such as a torn ligament, can happen at the same time. As you get older, your meniscus gets worn. This can make it tear more easily. Symptoms of a meniscus tear depend on the size and location of the tear. They also depend on your age and the health of your knee. Symptoms may include things like knee pain, swelling, or stiffness. It may be hard to walk. Your knee may feel unstable, or it may be hard to straighten all the way. Or you may feel like your knee "catches" when you move. Some people have severe pain and swelling right away when the tear happens. Or they might have less pain and swelling at first but then notice that it gets worse over a few days. Older people sometimes don't notice when the tear happens. But then they notice symptoms later. Your doctor will ask how the injury happened and if you have ever had any other knee injuries. Your doctor may also ask you about pain, swelling, locking, or buckling of the knee. You will have a physical exam to find out if you have a torn meniscus and to rule out other knee injuries. Your doctor will check both knees for tenderness, range of motion, and knee stability. X-rays are usually done. Based on your symptoms and the physical exam, your doctor may diagnose a meniscus tear. They may suggest that you follow up with an orthopedic surgeon, although it is not always needed. Your doctor or the orthopedic surgeon may suggest other tests such as an MRI or arthroscopy. If your pain is very bad at first, you might go to the emergency room. If your pain is not so bad, you may wait to see if it goes away. Most people go to the doctor when pain and swelling comes back after they use their knee. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that provides pictures of organs, bones, and joints. It makes these images by using a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy. MRI gives a good picture of the size of a meniscus tear and where it is. It also shows ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. MRIs of the knee are helpful to identify a meniscus tear and to find any related injuries to the ligament, cartilage, and tendons. Arthroscopy is a way to find problems and do surgery inside a joint without making a large cut (incision). Your doctor puts a lighted tube with a tiny camera—called an arthroscope, or scope—and surgical tools through small incisions. Your doctor may recommend that you have arthroscopy instead of MRI if they think you might benefit from surgery to repair or remove part or all of your meniscus. You will not have any side effects from the MRI test. But you may have some discomfort. For example: Risks of arthroscopy include: After arthroscopy, you may have swelling around the incision. This should go away within 2 weeks. It's normal for the site to feel tender for about a week. A small amount of bleeding from the incision is normal. Ask your doctor how much drainage to expect. It may take several weeks to recover from arthroscopy. Your doctor may give you pain medicine and recommend rehabilitation exercises for you to do while you recover. You may have some soreness and pain after the procedure. You may need to apply ice to the joint and prop up the leg to reduce swelling and pain. Keep the bandages that cover your incision clean and dry. How your doctor treats your meniscus tear depends upon the size and location of the tear; when the injury happened; your pain, age, health status, and activity level; and your surgeon's preference. Your treatment choices are: Other knee injuries, such as to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or the medial collateral ligament, may happen at the same time as a meniscus tear. Your doctor may be able to find this out during a physical exam. In these cases, the meniscus tear will be treated as part of the treatment for the other injury. Your doctor may advise you to have an MRI test or arthroscopy because: These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "I felt some strain on my knee while I was playing handball 2 weeks ago, and since then I've had swelling and pain on one side of my knee. My doctor thinks I probably have a tear in my meniscus and maybe some other knee damage. I've been using ice and resting my knee a lot, but I've still got quite a bit of pain. My doctor is now recommending that I have an MRI to see what's going on in there. She says that an MRI will give us a good idea of what is injured and will help us make the decision about treatment. I'm going to go ahead and get the MRI." — Ahmed, age 30 "I started noticing pain in my knee about 2 months ago, although I can't say what exactly I did to injure it. I can't seem to squat or kneel without increasing the pain. My orthopedic surgeon thinks it might be an age-related degeneration of the meniscus and is recommending that I do physical therapy and avoid painful activities. My doctor said that an MRI might be helpful later if surgery looks like an option. I like this plan to wait before having a test." — Theo, age 60 "I was playing with my kids and twisted my knee a few days ago. It's really swollen and painful, and sometimes it feels like it gets stuck. My doctor is pretty sure I have a meniscus tear. She's recommending arthroscopy so she can see exactly what's torn and see if she can repair it at the same time. I don't like the idea of surgery, but I do like the idea of getting it all taken care of at one time." — Letitia, age 33 "My knee started hurting the night after I had a strenuous game of pick-up basketball. After my doctor examined me and listened to my description of the game and my symptoms, it didn't take him long to say that he thought it was a meniscus tear. My doctor thinks it's a small tear and recommends that I start rehabilitation soon. Meanwhile, I'm resting my knee and being very careful to avoid any twisting or stress on the knee." — Peter, age 35 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to choose an MRI or arthroscopy Reasons to choose home treatment or physical therapy I'm in a lot of pain, and I want to have arthroscopy so I can start feeling better. My pain isn't too bad. I'm not worried about being in a confined space during an MRI test. I don't want to have an MRI test. I'm not worried about the costs for an MRI or arthroscopy. I'm worried about the costs. I want to have the test if it will help me decide whether or not to have surgery for my torn meniscus. I know that I don't want to have surgery for any reason. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. MRI or arthroscopy Home treatment or physical therapy 1.
If I have a minor meniscus tear, it may heal by itself with rest. 2.
Either an MRI or arthroscopy can help me find out if I have a meniscus tear. 3.
An arthroscopy can find out if I have a meniscus tear AND treat it at the same time. 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: July 17, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardMeniscus Tear: Should I Have a Diagnostic Test (MRI or Arthroscopy)?
Meniscus Tear: Should I Have a Diagnostic Test (MRI or Arthroscopy)?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is a meniscus tear?
What causes a meniscus tear?
What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?
How will your doctor diagnose a meniscus tear?
What is an MRI?
What is arthroscopy?
What are discomforts or risks of having an MRI or arthroscopy?
How is a meniscus tear treated?
Why might your doctor recommend having an MRI or arthroscopy?
Compare your options
Personal stories about diagnostic tests for a meniscus tear
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Meniscus Tear: Should I Have a Diagnostic Test (MRI or Arthroscopy)?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What is a meniscus tear?
What causes a meniscus tear?
What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?
How will your doctor diagnose a meniscus tear?
What is an MRI?
What is arthroscopy?
What are discomforts or risks of having an MRI or arthroscopy?
How is a meniscus tear treated?
Why might your doctor recommend having an MRI or arthroscopy?
2. Compare your options
Have an MRI or arthroscopy Try home treatment, and see if knee pain goes away What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about diagnostic tests for a meniscus tear
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
FAQs
Have an MRI or arthroscopy Have an MRI or arthroscopy
Try home treatment, and see if knee pain goes away Try home treatment, and see if knee pain goes away
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Leaning toward
Undecided
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Credits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
FAQs
More important
Equally important
More important
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Equally important
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Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
That's right. If you have a minor tear and your symptoms don't bother you too much, you may wait to see if it heals with rest.
You are right. An MRI or arthroscopy can tell your doctor if you have a meniscus tear and if you have other injuries.
You are right. An arthroscopy can identify a meniscus tear and treat it at the same time.
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
Credits