Meniscus Tears Explained: Why Seeing a Physio in Sydney Can Help You Avoid Surgery

Running, sports, and even everyday activities place increased demand on your knees. At Physio K, a trusted physio in Sydney, one of the most common knee injuries we see is a meniscus tear. These can happen from twisting awkwardly, feeling a sudden onset of sharp pain during sport, or noticing your knee gradually becoming sore and swollen over time.

We know how frustrating it can be to have knee pain hold you back from doing the things you love. But rest assured, our team at Physio K has helped many people recover from meniscus injuries. Let’s walk through what’s actually happening in these injuries, how to know if surgery is necessary, and what conservative treatment can get you back to your best.

What is the meniscus and how do injuries happen?

The meniscus is one of the key stabilising structures in your knee. You have 2 in each knee - a medial (inside) and lateral (outside) meniscus. They are C-shaped and act as a cushion within the joint. 

Injuries to the meniscus often include tears. These can result from:

• Twisting injuries - such as rotating your knee while your foot is planted

• Squatting or deep bending (especially under load)

• Sudden changes of direction - common in sports

• Age related wear and tear - degenerative changes over time increase the fragility of the meniscus, causing a degenerative tear

There are different patterns of tears that happen in the meniscus (longitudinal, horizontal, flap, bucket handle and radial) with each type having different implications for management. 

Common symptoms of a meniscus tear

If you have a meniscus injury, you might notice:

• Sharp knee pain at the moment of injury

• Swelling within the first 24–48 hours

• Clicking, catching, or locking sensations in the knee

• Stiffness and loss range of movement 

• Pain with twisting, squatting, or pivoting

If your knee is locking (physically unable to straighten), this can indicate a significant tear, such as a bucket-handle tear, which in most cases does require surgical repair.

Do all meniscus tears need surgery?

The short answer? No

Interestingly, the majority of meniscus tears do not require surgery.

Research shows that many tears, particularly smaller, degenerative, or stable ones, can heal or become symptom-free with the right physiotherapy management. Many people who visit a physio for knee pain in Sydney experience significant improvement through targeted exercises and hands-on treatment, without ever needing surgical intervention.

Surgery is usually only considered when:

• The knee is locked and is unable to fully straighten.

• Pain is severe and is not improving despite conservative treatment.

• There is a significant restriction of movement or function, impacting on quality of life.

Physiotherapist’s Approach to Meniscus Healing

At PhysioK, we take a holistic approach to managing meniscus injuries, helping you recover without unnecessary procedures.

Your treatment plan may include:

• Education and activity modification – Guidance on activities/movements to refrain from to allow optimal tissue healing.

• Manual therapy and soft tissue release – to restore mobility and improve muscle functioning

• Dry needling – to relieve tight muscles surrounding the knee to optimise movement and relieve pain

• Individualised exercise program – working on strengthening the muscles that support the knee to offload any potential stress on the meniscus

• Progressive load management – safely building back up to your chosen sport/activity with specific guidance from your physiotherapist

With the right rehab program, a physio in Sydney will have many patients returning to full activity without ever needing surgery!

When to seek help from a Physio in Sydney 

If your knee pain is really troubling you and stopping you doing your favourite activities, or if you're worried you may have a meniscus injury, it’s best to get this assessed early at a physio in Sydney. 

The sooner assessment and treatment begins, the better the outcome!

At Physio K, we strive to provide the best physiotherapy input for you to get back to doing what you love, avoiding the need for surgery,

Book an appointment with our team today, and let’s get your knee back to its best!