Meniscus Tear Treatment in Seoul Protecting your cartilage
The meniscus cushions your knee. A tear can cause pain, swelling, catching or locking. Many tears settle with rehabilitation, and some benefit from arthroscopic repair.
Gangnam Nanoori Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, near Hakdong Station (Line 7, Exit 10), treats meniscus tears with help from English-speaking coordinators. Joint Center orthopedic surgeons examine the knee and use MRI to assess the tear, usually starting with physical therapy, and offer arthroscopic repair or partial trimming when the knee locks or symptoms persist. To book, message WhatsApp +82-10-6290-9796.
What causes a meniscus tear?
Each knee has two C-shaped menisci that spread load and help stability. Younger people usually tear them in a twisting injury, while in people over about 40 tears often develop with age-related wear. Meniscus tears are a common cause of knee pain.
Twisting injuries
Turning on a bent knee with the foot planted, common in soccer, basketball, tennis and skiing.
Age-related wear
The meniscus becomes less elastic with age, so a deep squat or small twist can tear it.
Linked injuries
Meniscus tears often occur with an ACL tear or alongside knee arthritis.
Common meniscus tear symptoms
Some people feel a pop at the time of injury. Others notice symptoms building gradually over a day or two.
Common symptoms
- Pain along the inner or outer side of the knee
- Swelling and stiffness developing over 24 to 48 hours
- Catching or clicking when you move the knee
- The knee locking, so it will not fully straighten
- Pain when twisting, squatting or kneeling
- A feeling that the knee may give way
Seek care urgently if you have
- A knee locked so it will not straighten
- A hot, red, swollen knee with fever
- Inability to bear weight after an injury
- Calf swelling or pain, especially after surgery or a long flight
A locked knee needs prompt assessment, and fever or calf swelling can signal infection or a blood clot; if the situation is life-threatening, call 119.
How a meniscus tear is diagnosed
Your surgeon will ask how the pain started and examine the knee. Imaging confirms the tear and helps plan treatment.
| Test | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Physical examination | Joint line tenderness, painful twisting tests, swelling and range of motion |
| X-ray | Arthritis, alignment and bone problems that can mimic or accompany a tear |
| MRI | The tear's location, size and pattern, plus ligament and cartilage injuries |
In older adults, MRI often shows meniscus tears that are not the main cause of pain. Your surgeon will match imaging to your symptoms.
Meniscus tear treatment, least invasive first
The goal is to keep as much healthy meniscus as possible, because it protects the cartilage and helps lower long-term arthritis risk.
Settle the knee
Relative rest, ice, elevation and pain relief. Avoid deep squats and twisting while symptoms are active.
Physical therapy
Strengthening the thigh and hip muscles and restoring movement. Many degenerative tears improve with this alone.
Image-guided injection
For pain linked to inflammation or arthritis, an ultrasound-guided injection may help you continue rehabilitation.
Arthroscopic repair
Tears in younger patients, or with a good blood supply, may be stitched through knee arthroscopy.
Partial trimming
If a torn flap causes locking or catching and cannot be repaired, the unstable part is carefully trimmed.
Meniscus repair, before and after
When a tear is suitable for repair, the surgeon stitches the torn edges so the meniscus can heal and keep cushioning the knee.
Simplified medical illustration for education only, not a patient image. Results vary by condition and individual; your specialist will explain what to expect for your case.
Your Specialists
Care at this clinic is provided by Nanoori Joint Center orthopedic surgeons. Tap a doctor to see their full profile.
Common Questions
Does a meniscus tear always need surgery?
No. Many tears, especially age-related ones, improve with physical therapy and activity changes. Surgery is usually considered when the knee locks, catches persistently, or symptoms do not improve after a few months of good rehabilitation.
Can a torn meniscus heal on its own?
Tears in the outer edge, which has a better blood supply, can sometimes heal. Tears in the inner part usually do not heal on their own, but symptoms may still settle with rehabilitation.
What is the difference between repair and trimming?
Repair stitches the tear so it can heal and keeps the meniscus, but recovery is longer. Trimming removes only the unstable torn part, allowing faster recovery, and is used when a repair is not possible.
Can I walk with a meniscus tear?
Many people can walk, though twisting, squatting and stairs may hurt. If your knee locks and will not straighten, or you cannot bear weight, get it checked promptly.
Can I travel home after meniscus surgery?
Usually, once your surgeon has checked the wound and you can move safely. Long flights after leg surgery raise the risk of blood clots, so ask about timing and precautions, and share your travel dates with our coordinators.
Does insurance cover meniscus treatment?
We accept Korean National Health Insurance (NHIS) for enrolled foreign residents. For international insurance, our coordinators explain the billing documents we provide; please check your coverage with your insurer. See our Knee Center for more.
Is your knee catching or locking?
Message our English-speaking coordinators on WhatsApp to book a meniscus assessment in Gangnam.
Related Care
Last updated October 2026. This page is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Contact us · Gangnam Nanoori Hospital home
