Nonoperative Treatment of Meniscus Tears

Nonoperative treatment continues to be the mainstay treatment for meniscus tears, with multiple randomized control trials demonstrating no difference in outcomes between arthroscopy and physical therapy (PT) for treatment of degenerative meniscus tears. Surgical intervention is reserved for select patients who remain symptomatic despite a complete regimen of PT, young patients with bucket-handle meniscus tears that restrict range of motion (ROM), and displaced, flap-like tears that cause mechanical symptoms regardless of age with minimal to no arthritis in the knee.