Knee Pain
Meniscus Injury
This is a tear in one of the C-shaped cartilage cushions (menisci) that sit between the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone), which help absorb shock and stabilize the knee.
CAUSES OF INJURY
- Sudden twisting or pivoting on a bent knee, often during sports
- Gradual wear-and-tear degeneration of the meniscus with age, especially after 40
- Deep squatting or heavy lifting that strains the joint
- Underlying knee osteoarthritis, which weakens meniscus tissue over time
SYMPTOMS
- Pain along the joint line, often worse with twisting or squatting
- Swelling that develops within a day or two of an injury
- A catching, popping, or locking sensation in the knee
- A feeling that the knee will “give way”
- Difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee
IMAGING
Noncontrast knee MRI is the best way to noninvasively confirm a meniscus tear and see its size, location, and pattern. A knee X-ray is also useful to check for any accompanying arthritis.
CAN PRP HELP?
PRP shows real benefit in painful symptoms for meniscus tears managed without surgery, particularly with degenerative tears in a knee with arthritis. While studies consistently show improved pain and ability to perform daily activities, MRI-confirmed healing of the tear itself is inconsistent. At Ivy en Rose, we consider PRP as a pain medication your body produces to help your pain, not a guaranteed repair of the tear.
Leukocyte Preparation: Leukocyte-Poor, with less risk of inflammatory reaction
Dosing: Short Series (e.g., 3 sessions over 6 weeks)
Target Platelet Dose in Studied Protocols: A published protocol used 5 mL per session, 3 sessions over 6 weeks, for nonsurgical tears.
ASPN 2024 CONSENSUS GUIDELINE
This indication sits outside ASPN’s core 2024 consensus document, which only formally addresses PRP as a surgical adjunct during meniscus repair. This is a different scenario, graded separately and lower (Level II-1, Grade D, “not routinely recommended”). The Level II-3, Grade C rating shown here comes from a 2025–2026 literature update considered additionally with the guideline, specifically for nonsurgical injection of low-grade, degenerative tears (Stoller grade I–II). A 2026 audit found spin bias in 94% of PRP-meniscus systematic-review abstracts, so we interpret this body of literature cautiously.
Sources: D’Souza et al. (ASPN Consensus), Journal of Pain Research, 2024 · Zhang et al., BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2026 · Gopinatth et al., Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, 2024
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does PRP help a torn meniscus heal?
PRP does not stitch the tear back together, but it can lower pain and help you move better. This works best for tears caused by slow wear and tear, not a sudden twist or injury. Scans often still show the tear after treatment, even when the pain feels better.
What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?
You may feel pain along the joint line, especially when you twist or squat. The knee can swell within a day or two. Some people feel a catch, pop, or locking in the knee, or like it might give way.
How many PRP injections for a meniscus tear?
Most plans use three shots spread over six weeks. This approach is for smaller tears caused by wear and tear, not tears from a sudden injury.
Does every meniscus tear need surgery?
No. Many meniscus tears, especially degenerative tears that develop gradually in an older or arthritic knee rather than from a single twisting injury, are managed without surgery. PRP is one of the nonsurgical options we discuss for low-grade tears once imaging confirms the pattern and size.
If PRP can’t stitch a torn meniscus back together, what is it doing?
It’s treating the pain instead of repairing the tear. Studies consistently show improved pain and function after PRP for degenerative meniscus tears, but MRI-confirmed healing of the tear itself is inconsistent.## KNEE
Speak with our team
Every plan starts with a consultation, so treatment is matched to you rather than to a category.