Types of Meniscal Tears

Reviewed by Greg Jaroszynski MD, FRCSC | Last updated May 2026

Traumatic tears

Traumatic meniscal tears typically occur after a discrete twisting, pivoting, squatting, or sports injury. Patients may describe a pop, sharp joint-line pain, swelling, catching, or inability to continue activity. Acute vertical longitudinal tears, bucket-handle tears and root tears may be considered for repair in selected patients when tissue quality and tear location are favourable.

Degenerative tears

Degenerative tears usually develop gradually in middle-aged and older adults. They may be triggered by ordinary activity such as stairs, kneeling, squatting, or getting out of a car. These tears frequently occur with early osteoarthritis and fraying of the meniscal tissue. Many degenerative tears improve with exercise-based rehabilitation, activity adjustment, analgesia, and time.

Mixed tears

Mixed tears have both degenerative and traumatic features. A patient may have pre-existing meniscal degeneration and then sustain a twisting event that makes the tear symptomatic. Treatment depends on which component is dominant: inflammatory/arthritic pain, mechanical symptoms, or a repairable traumatic pattern.