Knee
A meniscus tear on your MRI is not always the cause of your pain.
Meniscus tears are common in both acute sport injuries and in the general population through degeneration. The majority of degenerative tears do not require surgery and respond well to physiotherapy.
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Common symptoms
- —Pain on the inner or outer joint line of the knee
- —Swelling that develops over hours after activity
- —A locking or catching sensation in the knee
- —Pain with squatting, twisting, or climbing stairs
- —Stiffness after prolonged sitting
Common causes
- —Acute trauma: twisting injury during sport
- —Degenerative changes over time (common in 40+)
- —Cumulative loading without adequate recovery
How Stance approaches meniscus tear
We assess knee mechanics, quadriceps and hamstring strength, and functional capacity. For degenerative tears, exercise-based management is as effective as surgery in most cases. For acute, mechanical tears we guide you through post-surgical rehab if surgery is indicated.
Relevant services
Pain & Injury Recovery
Assessment-led recovery for musculoskeletal pain — whether it's chronic, recurring, or from a specific incident. We find the root cause and build a targeted, progressive plan.
Post-Surgery Rehabilitation
Structured, phased rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery. We use objective criteria — not just the calendar — to progress you through each stage of recovery.
Frequently asked questions
Is surgery always needed for a meniscus tear?
No. Evidence shows that for degenerative meniscus tears, physiotherapy produces equivalent outcomes to arthroscopic surgery. We help you understand your options.
How long after a meniscus tear can I return to sport?
Typically 6–12 weeks for conservative management, and 12–16 weeks post-surgery, depending on the type of repair.
Ready to find the root cause?
Our clinical team uses objective testing to build a personalised plan around your specific needs.
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