Conditions we diagnose and treat

Knee Meniscal Tear: MRI Diagnosis in London

Available at LSRI Harley Street (W1G 9QJ) and LSRI Northwest London, Harrow (HA2 7SJ).

The menisci are two C-shaped pads of cartilage in each knee that cushion and stabilise the joint.

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GMC / FRCR Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist

A meniscal tear can happen suddenly, usually from twisting on a bent knee during sport, or it can develop gradually as the cartilage wears with age. Degenerative tears are very common from middle age onwards, often alongside early arthritis, and many cause few or no symptoms. At LSRI, Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, provides MRI diagnosis to show whether there is a tear, what type it is and what else is happening in the knee, and, where arthritis is also present, offers ultrasound-guided injections to help with pain.

Why choose LSRI

Consultant-led care from Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist with more than 20 years’ experience.
Diagnosis and ultrasound-guided treatment from the same specialist.
Two clinics: LSRI Harley Street (W1G 9QJ) and LSRI Northwest London in Harrow (HA2 7SJ).
No GP referral needed, and all major insurers accepted.
After Dr Sankaye has reported your scan, you can have a free 5-minute video consultation to go through the results.

Last medically reviewed by Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, on 2 October 2026.

Symptoms of meniscal tear

Pain along the inner or outer side of the knee, often along the joint line.
Swelling, which may appear over several hours or the next day after an injury.
Catching, clicking or a feeling that something is getting in the way inside the knee.
The knee giving way.
Difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee, squatting or twisting.

If your knee is locked and you cannot straighten it, seek urgent orthopaedic assessment, as a torn piece of meniscus may be stuck in the joint. A hot, swollen knee with fever, or rapid swelling straight after an injury, also needs prompt medical advice.

How we diagnose meniscal tear

Diagnosis starts with a clear account of your symptoms and how they started, and a knee examination looking at swelling, movement, tenderness along the joint line and stability.

MRI is the key test for a meniscal tear. It shows whether there is a tear, where it is, its shape and whether a fragment has moved. It also shows the other structures in the knee, including the ligaments, cartilage and bone, which helps explain your symptoms and plan treatment. You can read more in our patient guide to knee MRI scans.

An X-ray, ideally taken standing, shows whether there is arthritis, which often goes with degenerative tears and can change the treatment plan. Ultrasound cannot reliably show most meniscal tears, but it is useful for checking fluid in the joint, cysts next to the meniscus and the tendons and ligaments around the knee, and for guiding injections.

What to expect at your appointment

Dr Sankaye reviews your symptoms, how the problem started and any previous scans.
He examines and scans your knee with ultrasound, and arranges an MRI or X-ray if needed.
He explains the findings and discusses your options, including whether a surgical opinion makes sense.
If you decide to go ahead with an injection, it is done under ultrasound guidance.
You receive aftercare advice and a written report, which can be shared with your GP, physiotherapist or surgeon.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the type of tear, your age, your activity levels and whether arthritis is present.

Physiotherapy and exercise: most degenerative tears are managed with a structured strengthening programme, which often improves pain and function.
Activity changes and pain relief: reducing deep squatting and twisting for a while, and using simple painkillers if they suit you.
Weight management: where relevant, reducing load through the knee can help, particularly if arthritis is present.

LSRI’s role is mainly diagnosis. Where arthritis coexists with a degenerative tear and pain is limiting your rehabilitation, the options at LSRI include:

Ultrasound-guided steroid injection: into the knee joint, which can give short-term pain relief to help you progress with exercise. You can read more about joint injections.
Hyaluronic acid injection: sometimes used for knee arthritis. The evidence is mixed.
MSK specialist consultation: a detailed review of your MRI and symptoms, with a clear explanation of what the findings mean.

For more on managing arthritis in the knee, see our knee osteoarthritis page.

Keyhole surgery is not usually recommended for degenerative tears, as exercise-based treatment tends to work as well for most people. A surgical opinion is more likely to be worthwhile for a locked knee, for a traumatic tear in a younger, active person, especially where repair may be possible, or when mechanical symptoms persist despite rehabilitation. Dr Sankaye can advise when a knee surgeon’s opinion is worthwhile.

Questions about meniscal tear

Do I need an MRI for a suspected meniscal tear?

Not always. Many people improve with physiotherapy without a scan. An MRI is helpful if symptoms are not settling, if the knee is catching or locking, after a significant injury, or if surgery is being considered.

My MRI shows a tear. Does that mean I need surgery?

Not necessarily. Meniscal tears are common on MRI in people without knee pain, particularly with age. The findings need to be matched to your symptoms and examination, and most degenerative tears are managed without surgery.

Can a meniscal tear heal on its own?

Tears in the outer part of the meniscus, which has a better blood supply, have some ability to heal. Tears in the inner part heal less well, but symptoms often settle with exercise-based treatment.

Can I have an injection for a meniscal tear?

Injections do not repair a tear. Where there is also arthritis, an injection may ease pain to help you with rehabilitation. Dr Sankaye will discuss whether this is appropriate for you.

Our clinics

Two clinics, one team

Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, sees patients at Harley Street in central London and at our Northwest London clinic in Harrow. Call one number to book at either clinic.