Meniscus tear
Brief definition
The menisci are two crescent-shaped cartilage discs in the knee joint that act as shock absorbers and stabilizers. A meniscus tear is an injury to this cartilage — either from a single injury, such as a twisting fall during sports, or from the wear that comes with age. The MRI report spells out exactly where the tear sits and what shape it takes.
What is behind this finding?
The report usually covers three things: where the tear is (medial or lateral meniscus; anterior horn, body or posterior horn), what pattern it follows (longitudinal, radial, horizontal or bucket-handle) and how far it extends. One detail carries a lot of weight — whether the tear reaches the joint surface. Only then does it open into the joint, and only then is it likely to be causing symptoms. In older patients, degenerative wear tends to blur the picture and makes the call harder. The report will normally mention what else it finds, too: cartilage damage, bone marrow edema, fluid in the joint.
What does this mean for you?
Not every meniscus tear needs surgery. Studies such as the METEOR trial have shown that for degenerative tears without clear mechanical symptoms (locking, catching), physical therapy works about as well in the long term as arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Fresh tears from an injury in younger patients are a different case, especially in the outer third of the meniscus, where the blood supply is good: those often stitch back together well. The decision rests on your age, how active you are, what the exam shows and the pattern of the tear.
When is a second opinion worthwhile?
If surgery is proposed quickly and your knee has never actually locked or caught, a second opinion is worth the wait — for degenerative tears in particular, surgeons genuinely disagree about when to operate. If you are young, it is also worth asking whether the meniscus could be repaired rather than partly removed. Second View reads your knee MRI within 48 hours.
How can I request a second opinion?
1. Get in touch
Contact us through our platform.
2. A radiologist gets back to you
A board-certified radiologist contacts you personally and works with you to pin down exactly which question the second opinion should answer — and whether your existing images (MRI, CT, or X-ray) are suitable for a second read.
3. Transparent, upfront pricing
You then receive a firm quote — usually €70–150, depending on the type of exam.
4. The second reading
Once you approve and pay, our radiologists — all licensed to practice in Germany — review your images carefully and independently.
5. Your report & follow-up questions
Your report arrives digitally, written in plain, easy-to-understand language.
If anything is unclear, you can speak directly with the radiologist who read your images.
Tip:
Many private health insurers reimburse some or all of the cost of a radiological second opinion.
You’ll receive an invoice you can submit to your insurer. If you have German statutory health insurance (GKV), you currently pay for the second opinion yourself — statutory insurance does not cover it (Section 27b of the German Social Code, Book V).