The consequences of not treating a patient with a meniscal cyst are related to the size of the cyst.
If the cyst is small and not entirely in the weight-bearing area of the meniscus, there is a risk of knee pain with high levels of exercise and activity, or a greater risk of meniscal tear injury in the presence of violent injury, due to the increased brittleness of the meniscal tissue caused by the cyst. If the meniscal cyst is large or completely in the weight-bearing area of the meniscus and is left untreated, patients will generally experience knee pain during downward walking activities, which can affect their daily life.