Meniscus Tear Treatment in NYC – Manhattan PT

Manhattan Physical Therapy
Meniscus Tear Treatment in NYC – Manhattan PT

What Is a Meniscus Tear?

A meniscus tear is a common knee injury that affects the cartilage cushions in your knee. These cartilage pieces, called menisci, sit between your thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia) and act like shock absorbers, helping your knee move smoothly while reducing stress on your bones. Meniscus tears can happen suddenly from a twist or rotation of the knee, often during sports or physical activity. In older adults, worn or weakened cartilage increases the risk, and arthritis can contribute to tears even with minor movements.

Types of Meniscus Tears

Each knee contains two menisci, and the type of tear depends on which one is affected:

  • Medial meniscus tear: Occurs on the inner side of your knee.

  • Lateral meniscus tear: Occurs on the outer side of your knee.

Knowing the type of tear helps your physical therapist and doctor design a treatment plan tailored to your injury.

How Common Are Meniscus Tears?

Meniscus tears are one of the most frequent knee injuries in both athletes and active adults. Sports like basketball, soccer, tennis, and football, which involve sudden twisting or pivoting, increase your risk. Degenerative tears also occur over time in adults, particularly those with arthritis. In the U.S., meniscal tears affect approximately 61 people per 100,000, making them a significant concern for anyone with knee pain in NYC.

Symptoms and Causes

How Do I Know if I Have a Meniscus Tear?

A meniscus tear may feel like a “pop” at the time of injury. Common symptoms include:

  • Knee pain, stiffness, or swelling

  • Difficulty fully bending or straightening your knee

  • Feeling like your knee could give way

What Causes Meniscus Tears?

  • Acute tears: Often result from a sudden twist while your foot is planted, common in sports.

  • Degenerative tears: Can develop gradually due to wear and tear, age, or arthritis.

People of all ages can experience a meniscus tear, though athletes and older adults with weakened cartilage are more at risk. Untreated tears can cause persistent pain and may accelerate knee joint wear, increasing the likelihood of osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis and Tests

If you suspect a meniscus tear, a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential. At Manhattan Physical Therapy, our specialists start with a physical examination, checking for swelling, tenderness, and range of motion. Tests like the McMurray test or Thessaly test help identify meniscus damage.

Imaging may also be used to confirm the injury. X-rays rule out fractures, while an MRI provides detailed images of the cartilage and soft tissues. In some cases, your doctor may recommend knee arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure where a tiny camera is inserted through a small incision to view and sometimes treat the tear directly. Accurate diagnosis ensures the most effective treatment plan for your recovery.

Physiotherapy for Meniscus Tears

Physical therapy is often the first line of treatment for meniscus tears, especially when the tear is small or degenerative. Our Manhattan Physical Therapy team develops personalized rehabilitation plans to:

  • Reduced daily pain and stiffnessStrengthen the knee and surrounding leg muscles

  • Restore full range of motion

  • Improve stability and prevent further injury

Low-impact exercises like stationary biking, walking on a treadmill, or swimming can keep you active without worsening your pain. Your physical therapist will monitor your progress closely and adjust exercises to ensure they are safe and effective.

Physical Therapy Exercises for Knee Rehabilitation

These exercises target the muscles around the knee, thigh, and hips to restore strength, stability, and function after a meniscus injury. Perform all movements slowly and carefully, and stop if you feel pain.

Mini Squats

Mini squats help strengthen the quadriceps without placing excessive strain on the knees.

  1. Stand with your back, shoulders, and head against a wall.

  2. Position your feet shoulder-width apart, about a foot away from the wall.

  3. Bend your knees slightly, lowering your hips toward the floor. Stop at roughly 15 degrees.

  4. Hold for 10 seconds, then slowly return to standing.

  5. Perform 2 sets of 8–10 repetitions, resting 30–60 seconds between sets.

Keeping your back against the wall is important to minimize knee stress.

Quadriceps Setting

This is an isometric exercise that activates the thigh muscles without joint movement.

  1. Sit or lie flat with legs extended.

  2. Tighten the quadriceps to press the back of your knees toward the floor.

  3. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax.

  4. Complete 2 sets of 10 repetitions, resting 30–60 seconds between sets.


Straight Leg Raises

Straight leg raises strengthen the quadriceps while stretching the hamstrings.

  1. Lie on your back with one leg bent and the other leg extended.

  2. Keep your pelvis neutral, flex the foot of the extended leg, and tighten the thigh muscles.

  3. Lift the leg about 45 degrees, then lower it slowly.

  4. Perform 2 sets of 10 repetitions on each leg.

Hamstring Curls

These target the hamstrings at the back of the thigh.

  1. Lie face down with legs straight.

  2. Slowly bend one knee, bringing the heel toward your buttocks.

  3. Lower the leg slowly and repeat 8–10 times.

  4. Perform 2 sets per leg, resting about 30 seconds between sets.

Hamstring Heel Slides

This exercise strengthens both the hamstrings and core.

  1. Lie on your back with legs extended.

  2. Slide one heel toward your buttocks as far as comfortable.

  3. Hold for 5 seconds, then slide it back to start.

  4. Repeat 8–10 times for 2 sets per leg, resting 30–60 seconds between sets.

Standing Heel Raises

Heel raises build strength in the calf muscles.

  1. Stand with feet hip-width apart, using a stable surface for support.

  2. Lift your heels as high as possible, pause, and lower slowly.

  3. Complete 3 sets of 8–10 repetitions, resting 30–60 seconds between sets.

Clamshells

Clamshells strengthen the hips and glute muscles.

  1. Lie on your side with hips and feet aligned.

  2. Bend knees about 45 degrees and lift the top knee as high as possible without moving your pelvis.

  3. Lower slowly.

  4. Perform 2 sets of 8–10 repetitions per side, resting 1 minute between sets.

Knee Extensions

Knee extensions target the quadriceps and can be done several times a day.

  1. Sit on a chair or bench with feet flat on the floor.

  2. Lift one leg, straightening the knee fully.

  3. Lower slowly to the starting position.

  4. Repeat 10 times per leg.

Surgery for Meniscus Tears

When conservative treatments don’t provide relief, or if the tear is large, meniscus repair surgery may be necessary. Surgery is often performed via knee arthroscopy, a keyhole procedure that allows for either repair or partial removal of the damaged meniscus.

Post-surgery rehabilitation is crucial. Physical therapy after surgery helps rebuild strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Recovery time varies depending on the tear and procedure, but most patients in NYC can expect at least 6 weeks of guided therapy to return to normal activity safely.

 

Call us at (212)-213-3480 to book your appointment today.