Torn Meniscus Treatment in Bakersfield

Yes, physical therapy helps many meniscus tears. For wear-related tears, which are very common after about age 40, exercise therapy is often recommended before surgery, and many people never need an operation. For a tear from a sudden injury, especially in a younger, active person, an orthopedic surgeon may recommend repairing it, and rehab is a big part of recovery either way. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist.

Does this sound like you?

Two kinds of meniscus tears

Each knee has two menisci, C-shaped cushions of cartilage between the thigh bone and the shin bone. They spread out load and help steady the knee.

• Wear-related (degenerative) tears develop gradually as the cartilage ages, often with no clear injury. They are very common on MRI, even in people with no knee pain, and they often go along with early knee arthritis.
• Injury-related (acute) tears happen with a twist on a bent knee, often in sports or when turning with the foot planted. They are more common in younger, active people and sometimes happen along with a ligament injury.

Wondering whether yours needs an operation? We answer that in does a torn meniscus always need surgery? If your knee also gave way or swelled up fast after the injury, see our ACL and MCL injury guide.

Catching vs. true locking

Many people with a meniscus tear feel the knee catch or click. That is common, and it often settles as swelling goes down and strength comes back. True locking is different: the knee gets stuck and you can't straighten it, because a piece of torn cartilage may be caught in the joint. A knee that locks like this should be seen by a doctor promptly.

Swelling that keeps coming back after activity is another common sign. See why does my knee swell after exercise?

How rehab helps

The outer edge of the meniscus has a blood supply and can heal. The inner part has very little, so many tears don't “heal” on a scan, yet symptoms often settle anyway. What usually makes the difference is calming the swelling, getting full motion back and building strong thigh and hip muscles, so the knee can handle stairs, squats and turning again.

If you do have surgery, we follow your surgeon's plan. Rehab after a meniscus repair is usually slower and more protected than after a trim, so the stitched tissue has time to heal.

What treatment at ARI looks like

When to see a doctor first

See a doctor promptly if you have:

• A knee that locks and won't straighten
• Large swelling within a few hours of an injury, or you can't put weight on the leg
• A knee that keeps giving way when you turn or pivot
• A hot, red, swollen knee, especially with a fever
• Calf pain, swelling or warmth in your lower leg, which needs urgent attention to rule out a blood clot

Why patients choose ARI

Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Torn meniscus FAQs

Common questions

• Why Does the Back of My Knee Hurt?

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026