How PT Can Help You Get Back to Your Favorite Sports After a Meniscus Tear

Nashville PT
Oct 7
3 min read

Person in white shorts holds their red, painful knee, indicating discomfort.

If you're an active adult who enjoys running, jumping, or playing sports, a meniscus tear can be a frustrating setback. That nagging pain, swelling, or feeling like your knee just isn’t moving right can make you wonder if you’ll ever get back to doing what you love. But the good news? You probably can—and physical therapy can play a key role in that.

At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we help active people like you recover from meniscus injuries and return to sport safely—with less pain, more strength, and better movement. Whether you're aiming for your next marathon or just want to enjoy your weekend soccer league without discomfort, we've got a plan for that.

What Is a Meniscus Tear, Exactly?

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts like a cushion inside your knee. You’ve got two in each knee, and they help absorb shock and stabilize the joint during activities like running, squatting, cutting, and pivoting.

Tears can happen suddenly—like when you twist awkwardly during a quick move—or over time from wear and tear.

Either way, you might notice:

Knee pain or swelling
Trouble bending or straightening your knee
A feeling of “locking” or instability
Difficulty with athletic movements or walking normally

Do All Meniscus Tears Need Surgery?

Not necessarily! Many people assume surgery is the only way forward, but depending on the type, size, and location of the tear—as well as your activity level—conservative treatment with physical therapy can be just as effective (Peterson et al., 2007).

In cases where surgery is needed for a meniscus tear, PT both before and after the procedure (often called "prehab" and rehab) can significantly improve recovery outcomes. The right movement plan can help you heal faster, move better, and avoid complications down the road.

How Physical Therapy (PT) Helps You Heal and Return to Sports

Here’s what your PT plan at Nashville PT might include:

1. Control Pain and Swelling

We start with strategies to reduce inflammation and discomfort. That might include manual therapy, targeted movement, ice, compression, or mobility work—whatever your body responds to best.

2. Restore Range of Motion

Regaining full mobility is key to doing things like squatting, running, or pivoting again. We use gentle, guided stretching and joint mobilization to help your knee move the way it should.

3. Build Strength Where You Need It

Your quads, hamstrings, hips, and glutes all play a role in knee stability. Targeted strengthening of these areas reduces stress on your knee and helps protect it from future injuries (Logerstedt et al., 2012).

4. Improve Balance and Body Awareness

Your body needs to know where your knee is in space to keep you safe during quick movements. We use balance drills and neuromuscular training to sharpen your reflexes and help prevent reinjury.

5. Return to Sport-Specific Movements

Once your knee is strong and mobile, we’ll progress you through customized drills that mimic the demands of your sport—whether that’s running, jumping, changing direction, or playing recreational pickleball.

Why Work With Us?

At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we do things differently. Our cash-based model means you get:

One-on-one, 60-minute sessions with your PT
A fully customized treatment plan built around your goals
No waiting on insurance approvals or dealing with visit limits
A whole-person, movement-first approach focused on results

We’re here to keep active people active—without surgery, without medication, and without unnecessary downtime.

Ready to Get Back to What You Love?

You don’t have to let a meniscus tear keep you on the sidelines. With expert physical therapy, you can reduce pain, restore mobility, and return to your favorite sports with confidence.

Reach out to Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance today to schedule your evaluation and take the first step toward recovery.

References

Peterson, L., et al. (2007). Long-term outcome after meniscus repair versus partial meniscectomy: a prospective randomized study. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 35(3), 371–376. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546506296041
Logerstedt, D., et al. (2012). Progression of patient-reported outcomes after meniscal surgery: a 2-year prospective study. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(4), 813–820. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546511421086