What is Meniscus Surgery?
Meniscus surgery is an operation that repairs, removes, or — less commonly — replaces a torn meniscus. The meniscus is the crescent-shaped cartilage pad that acts as a cushion between the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone) in the knee joint.
When the meniscus is torn or damaged, torn meniscus surgery aims to repair it. If it cannot be repaired, the surgeon may remove the damaged portion, preserving as much healthy tissue as possible to maintain joint health and minimize long-term impact.
Common Types of Meniscus Surgery
There are three types of meniscus surgery:
- Meniscus repair
- Partial meniscectomy
- Meniscus replacement
The type of meniscus tear surgery needed is determined by the location, pattern, and healing potential of the tear. For meniscus tears caused by sudden injury that have a simple pattern and good potential for healing, meniscus repair is usually recommended (Figure 1). A meniscus repair is considered when the patient is generally healthy and wishes to remain active, the meniscus tissue is of good quality, and the meniscus tear is located in the periphery of the meniscus. Meniscus repair surgery involves sewing the tear together using high-strength sutures or specialized implants (Figure 2).
Figure 1:
Figure 2:
Meniscus repair surgery is routinely done arthroscopically (minimally invasive), though some complex tears — especially those located near neurovascular structures or requiring reattachment to the bone — may require a combination of arthroscopy and small open incisions. While recovery from a meniscus repair is longer than for a meniscectomy, preserving a repairable meniscus helps protect the joint over time.
A partial meniscectomy is more often recommended when the tear results from degeneration over time, involves a complex pattern, or has poor healing potential (Figure 2, above). Partial meniscectomy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed arthroscopically and consists of removing the damaged portion of the meniscus (Figure 3, below). The surgeon preserves as much of the meniscus as possible to help limit the progression of arthritis in the future.
A meniscus replacement may be considered rare in cases of healthy young patients who have persistent knee pain following a prior meniscectomy. This meniscus surgery involves transplanting donor cartilage.
Figure 3:
Surgery for a Torn Meniscus: What to Expect
Meniscus surgery is typically performed arthroscopically on an outpatient basis. The surgery takes just 30 minutes to an hour and is performed under general or regional anesthesia. You will be asked to fast and stop certain medications prior to your procedure. Arrange for someone to drive you home.
You will be provided with post-op instructions following meniscus tear surgery, including resting, elevating, and icing your knee and using crutches. Plan to follow all physical therapy sessions and recommendations to recover your knee strength, function, and mobility fully.
Meniscus Surgery Recovery Time and Rehabilitation
Your knee surgeon will recommend physical therapy as part of your meniscus surgery recovery to help improve muscle strength and joint stability. Initially, you will likely use crutches to help keep weight off your knee, and your knee doctor may recommend wearing a brace to maintain knee stability postoperatively. Meniscus repair surgery typically requires 3-6 months of recovery.
With a partial meniscectomy, you may want to use crutches during the first week to avoid bearing weight on your knee. However, most surgeons recommend that patients try walking without crutches, bending their knees, and begin stretching and strengthening exercises as soon as possible after surgery to keep the knee joint and surrounding muscles flexible. Patients typically recover within 6 weeks. Most are able to return to work within a few days or 1-2 weeks postoperatively, provided their work doesn’t involve a lot of standing, walking, or lifting heavy items.
Risks and Benefits of Meniscus Operations
Meniscus operations, such as meniscus repair surgery and partial meniscectomy, have a high success rate, especially when they are performed by an experienced orthopedic knee surgeon and the patient follows their physical rehabilitation plan. The benefits of surgery for a torn meniscus include reduced knee pain, improved joint stability, and restored mobility, so you can return to work, your favorite sport, and daily activities with greater function and less discomfort.
Like any operation, torn meniscus surgery carries some risks. While meniscus surgery is generally safe and effective, it’s essential to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions to reduce risk and support a strong recovery. A fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who specializes in knee surgery or sports medicine, has in-depth training to provide the best outcomes for their patients.
