The menisci are cartilage discs providing knee cushioning between the thigh and shin bones. Meniscus tears are among the most frequent knee injuries. Symptoms include pain, catching sensations, swelling and difficulty walking. This article reviews if and how patients can walk safely with a torn meniscus based on guidance from UK physiotherapists.
Understanding meniscus tears
Meniscal tears often happen when playing sports requiring forceful knee twisting. Causes include:
- Suddenly changing direction when running
- Squatting, then pivoting or standing
- Impacts directly striking the knee
- Lifting heavy weights through deep knee bends
In older adults, degenerative fraying occurs. Symptoms may begin suddenly after a minor trauma or gradually worsen over time.
Can you walk on a torn meniscus?
It depends. Following an acute meniscal tear:
✓ Walking gently short distances is possible initially but with pronounced limping. However, this risks further tear damage without support.
✗ Avoid extended walking or standing on a painful, unstable knee early after injury without crutches or a brace.
Later, during conservative treatment or post-surgery:
✓ Walking short then progressively longer distances is beneficial rehabilitation using crutches or supportive brace as needed.
So, some types of walking are appropriate during a staged recovery following either non-operative or operative meniscal treatment.
Guidelines for walking with a torn meniscus
UK physiotherapists provide advice on safe walking during meniscus injury, including:
- Use crutches to avoid putting weight through the injured knee early after acute tears. Take pressure off healing meniscus.
- Apply compression bandage for knee support and minimize swelling when walking is necessary.
- Try a hinged knee brace to improve stability if walking longer stretches without crutches.
- Low-level aerobic exercise like walking aids recovery later in rehabilitation, so increasing distances gradually is recommended.
- Listen to pain signals – Stop the activity if the knee becomes more painful and follow RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).
- See a doctor if the inability to bear weight through the knee persists beyond 2 weeks since this delays healing. Surgery may be required for a displaced bucket handle or certain complex meniscus tears in these cases.
Your rehabilitation team guides you on when to progress in walking based on individual recovery and correction of gait abnormalities. Setbacks often recur if normal walking biomechanics are not restored.
Case examples
Below are two patient scenarios with tailored walking advice during their meniscus rehabilitation:
Brian, 36, keen footballer – Walking with elbow crutches recommended for 4 weeks after a small peripheral tear to protect repair done through arthroscopic surgery. From weeks 5-8, could walk unaided, slowly building distances up to 1-hour duration by week 12 post-op.
Sandra, 55, office worker – Advised to minimise walking after non-operative treatment for degenerative type tear using a knee brace and managing symptoms until completed 6 weeks physiotherapy. Then, incrementally increase the walking pace and duration between weeks 8 and 15.
These demonstrate adjusting activity to the recovery stage is key.
Conclusion
In summary, while walking capacity is reduced early on, gentle walking forms an integral part of meniscus tear rehabilitation. Use gait aids as required in the initial recovery period post-injury or surgery to prevent displacements and manage pain. Over time and under physiotherapy guidance, progressively increase walking durations and distances to rebuild strength and function without exacerbating symptoms.
References
- NHS (2024). Torn meniscus. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/meniscus-tear/
- Patient.info. (2024). Meniscal Tears. https://patient.info/bones-joints-muscles/sports-injuries/meniscal-tears-knee-cartilage-injuries
