What is a meniscus injury?
The menisci are two C-shaped wedges of fibrocartilage - the medial meniscus on the inner side and the lateral meniscus on the outer side - that sit between the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone) in the knee joint. They function as shock absorbers, distribute load across the knee, deepen the joint surface to improve stability, and contribute to lubrication of the joint.
Meniscus injuries are among the most common knee injuries in sport, affecting athletes across football, rugby, skiing, martial arts, and any activity involving pivoting, twisting, or deep knee flexion under load. They range from minor peripheral tears that heal well conservatively, to complex bucket-handle tears that require surgical intervention.
Acute meniscus tears typically occur during a twisting or pivoting movement on a planted foot - the same mechanism as many ACL injuries, and the two often occur together. Degenerative meniscus tears are increasingly common with age, occurring without a specific traumatic event as the meniscus tissue weakens over time. In both cases, the experience of the injury and its management approach share significant common ground.
Understanding meniscus injuries
Causes and contributing factors
- Sudden twisting or pivoting on a planted knee - the most common traumatic mechanism
- Deep knee flexion under load - heavy squatting, wrestling, or crouching positions
- Deceleration injuries during running and sprinting sports
- A previous ACL tear - the altered joint mechanics increase meniscal loading
- Age-related degeneration of the meniscus fibrocartilage, reducing its resistance to normal loading
- Muscle weakness around the knee - particularly the quadriceps and hamstrings - reducing the dynamic protection of the joint
Symptoms to recognise
- Pain along the joint line - either medial (inner) or lateral (outer) - that is tender when pressed
- Swelling that develops over the hours following an acute injury, or chronically after repeated aggravation
- Clicking, catching, or locking sensations when moving the knee - particularly in more significant tears
- Difficulty fully extending or flexing the knee, with a feeling of mechanical restriction
- Pain with deep knee flexion (squatting, kneeling) and rotational movements
- The knee giving way or feeling unreliable, particularly during direction changes
How Bearhug helps
The Bearhug knee support provides graduated compression to the knee joint, reducing the swelling and effusion that accumulates with meniscal irritation and significantly contributes to the pain and restricted movement that follows a meniscus injury. Compression also improves proprioceptive feedback from the knee, improving the neuromuscular control of the joint that is the primary dynamic protection against further meniscal loading under adverse conditions.
For meniscus injuries managed conservatively (without surgery), consistent compression during activity allows continued participation in low-impact training and daily activity while protecting the injured structure. The knee support keeps the joint warm, which improves synovial fluid distribution and reduces the stiffness associated with meniscal injury, particularly after periods of inactivity.
For athletes recovering from meniscus surgery, the Bearhug knee support is a useful part of the post-operative rehabilitation phase - reducing post-surgical swelling, providing proprioceptive support during early loading, and building the confidence needed for a safe return to sport.
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing pain or injury, please consult a qualified healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Bearhug products are Class 1 medical devices designed to support - not replace - medical treatment.