Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair

Removal, or meniscectomy, trims away the torn portion of the meniscus. Repair stitches the torn tissue back together so the meniscus is preserved. The meniscus cushions the knee, distributes body weight evenly and protects the cartilage from wear, so keeping it matters for long-term joint health. Repair may reduce the risk of early osteoarthritis compared with removal, which is why it is preferred whenever the tear is suitable.

No. Suitability for repair versus meniscectomy is one of the specific decisions made during surgical planning, based on the type of tear, its location, the tear pattern, tissue quality and any associated ligament injuries. Repair is generally more achievable in acute tears, bucket handle and longitudinal tears, and in younger and active individuals. Dr. Ansari will tell you honestly whether your tear is repairable rather than deciding once you are already in theatre.

Recovery after meniscus repair is generally longer than after meniscus trimming, because the repaired tissue needs time to heal properly. Trimming removes tissue and there is nothing left to knit together; repair asks torn cartilage to heal, and that takes patience. The trade-off is worth it - you keep the meniscus. Recovery includes pain and swelling management, a knee brace when indicated, controlled weight-bearing as advised, guided physiotherapy, progressive range-of-motion exercises, muscle strengthening, balance and coordination training, functional rehabilitation and regular follow-up appointments.

Knee locking is a recognised sign of a meniscus tear, and symptomatic tears causing knee locking or instability are among the conditions treated with arthroscopic repair. It often occurs when a torn fragment of cartilage physically catches inside the joint. Locking episodes are worth getting assessed rather than working around, as they indicate mechanical interference within the knee.

Diagnosis begins with a comprehensive knee examination covering joint line tenderness assessment, range of motion evaluation, knee stability assessment, meniscus-specific clinical tests, swelling evaluation and functional movement assessment. Common examination tests include the McMurray Test, Thessaly Test and Apley Compression Test. An MRI scan is the gold standard for confirming meniscus tears, supported by digital X-rays, a CT scan in selected cases and blood investigations before surgery.

Yes. Meniscus tears associated with ACL injuries are among the conditions treated, and associated knee injuries, if present, may be treated during the same procedure. Arthroscopic surgery allows simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of associated knee injuries, which is one of its principal advantages.