The specific effects of a meniscal cyst depend on the size of the cyst and the specific location of the cyst. If the cyst is particularly small and not entirely in the weight-bearing area of the meniscus, it is possible that a tear injury to the meniscus may occur with high levels of exercise and activity, with pain or discomfort in the knee, or more easily in the presence of a violent injury. This is because cysts cause an increase in the brittleness of the meniscus tissue. If the meniscus cyst is large or in the weight-bearing area of the meniscus, knee pain can occur whenever walking down the floor is active, and the pain can even become more pronounced when walking up and down stairs. Any meniscus cyst of this type should only be considered for arthroscopic meniscectomy of the knee. If it reaches the level of meniscus tear, after being treated by surgery, the postoperative recovery period is relatively long and relatively ineffective.