Meniscus Tear Treatment in Amman | Knee Physio

What is the meniscus, and what is a tear?

Each knee has two C-shaped menisci, one on the inner side and one on the outer. They act as a cushion that absorbs shock and spreads load between the thigh bone and the shin bone. A meniscus can tear suddenly after a hard twist or sports injury, which is more common in younger people, or gradually with age without a clear injury. Gradual tears are common with age, even in people with no pain at all, so seeing a tear on an MRI alone does not mean it is the source of the pain.

Common signs

Pain on the inner or outer side of the knee, worse with twisting, squatting or climbing stairs
Mild swelling or stiffness in the knee, especially after activity
A clicking feeling, or a sense of something catching inside the knee
More serious signs: true locking where you cannot straighten the knee, or the knee suddenly giving way

Common misunderstandings

"A tear on the MRI means surgery is necessary": tears can show up in people with no symptoms, and the decision is based on symptoms and examination
"Keyhole clean-up surgery will definitely relieve me": for gradual tears the evidence shows that structured exercise often gives a result close to surgery, so in most cases the programme is tried first
"I should rest my knee and not bend it": long rest weakens the thigh muscles, and graded movement is usually better

What usually helps?

The foundation is gradually strengthening the thigh, hip and calf muscles. Types of exercise that usually help include tightening the front thigh muscle while sitting or lying; standing up from a chair and sitting back down slowly; stepping up onto and down from a step; and balance exercises on one leg. We start with what the knee tolerates and then add load slowly; a mild amount of discomfort that settles by the next day is acceptable. We also temporarily adjust activities that provoke pain, such as deep squats or twisting on a planted foot. The surgical decision belongs to the orthopaedic doctor, and it is usually considered for true locking that does not settle, or when there is no improvement despite a structured exercise programme.

How we treat it at Revibe

We listen: how the pain started, whether there was a twist or injury, and whether there is locking or giving way
We examine knee movement, muscle strength, balance and walking, and recognise what needs a doctor’s review
We identify what keeps the pain going
We treat: manual therapy for the knee and hip joints, release of muscle knots around the thigh and calf, and dry needling or cupping when useful as part of the plan
We progress with a graded home exercise programme and adjust it to your response

Watch the explanation

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When do you need urgent medical care?

A knee injury with visible deformity, severe pain or being unable to put weight on it — go to the emergency department or call an ambulance: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan
A knee that has locked and cannot be straightened
Rapid swelling of the knee after an injury
A hot, red, swollen knee with fever — see a doctor the same day
Repeated giving way, or knee pain in a young person that began with a hard twist: this needs an early doctor’s examination

In these cases go to the nearest emergency department or a doctor straight away — instead of booking physiotherapy.

FAQ

Do I need surgery for a meniscus tear?

In many cases, especially gradual tears, a structured exercise programme with physiotherapy is tried first. The surgical decision belongs to the orthopaedic doctor and is considered for true locking or when there is no improvement.

Do I need an MRI?

Usually not at the start. We refer you to a doctor or for imaging if there is true locking, repeated giving way or rapid swelling after an injury, or if things do not improve.

Should I rest my knee and avoid bending it?

A short rest while the pain is sharp is fine, but staying away from movement for long weakens the muscles. We teach you safe movements and exercises that strengthen the knee without overloading it.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your condition and its stage; after the first assessment we explain the plan and the expected number of sessions.

More common questions: Knee pain questions — 36 questions