How urgent is a meniscus tear? When should I be seen?

Go to emergency care the same day

These are not typical of a simple meniscus tear and need urgent assessment:

• A hot, red, very swollen knee with fever, which can mean infection
• A deformed knee, or one you cannot bear any weight on after a high-energy injury
• Numbness, coldness or colour change in the foot after a serious knee injury
• A painful, swollen calf, or chest pain or breathlessness, especially after a long flight or surgery

See a knee surgeon within days

• The knee is locked and will not fully straighten after a twisting injury, which can mean a displaced bucket-handle tear
• Rapid swelling within hours of a sports injury, which often signals an ACL tear with meniscus damage
• A sudden pop at the back of the knee in someone over 50, followed by pain when standing, which is typical of a root tear
• A young, active patient with a fresh tear

Timing matters in these cases because some tears are much more likely to be repairable when treated early. A displaced meniscus fragment left for weeks can become damaged and lose its chance of repair.

Book a routine appointment

Joint-line pain, mild swelling or occasional clicking that has not settled after two to four weeks of sensible rest and exercise deserves a routine appointment. So does a knee that keeps catching, or pain that limits work, prayer or sport.

It can usually start at home

Gradual inner knee pain in an adult over 40 with no locking, little swelling and normal walking can reasonably start with activity modification and a strengthening programme. If it is not improving after six weeks or so, Dr. Gelber at Aman Hospital in Doha can examine the knee and decide whether imaging is useful.