What causes meniscus tear?
Last updated September 6, 2026.
**Most meniscus tears come from one of two things: a twisting or pivoting force on a loaded knee, or cartilage that has thinned with age so that an everyday motion is enough to split it.** Younger people usually tear the meniscus during sport, when the foot is planted and the body rotates, often alongside an ACL or MCL injury. After about age 40 the cartilage loses water and elasticity, so tears can start with something as ordinary as rising from a deep squat or stepping off a curb. Knee osteoarthritis, an earlier knee injury, and jobs with a lot of kneeling, squatting, or lifting all raise the odds. Strong hip and thigh muscles, a gradual build in training load, and good landing and pivoting technique reduce the twisting force the knee has to absorb. Pain with swelling that builds over a day, clicking, locking, or a knee that gives way is worth an in-person exam.
What to do
- Track the moment of injury: Note whether the knee twisted, took a blow, or simply gave way during a normal movement, since that shapes what a clinician looks for.
- Calm the first few days: Rest the knee, use ice for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day, and keep it elevated when swelling is worst.
- Build hip and thigh strength: Regular quadriceps, hamstring, and glute work supports the knee and lowers the twisting load the meniscus absorbs.
- Change loads gradually: Increase running distance, squat depth, or sport intensity in small steps rather than all at once after time off.
- Get it examined: See a clinician if the knee locks, catches, buckles, will not straighten, or stays swollen and painful beyond a few days.
- Ask about imaging: A physical exam usually comes first, and your clinician decides whether an MRI would change the plan.
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