General Procedure Information
Meniscus Repair and Partial Meniscectomy
Whether a meniscus tear is best managed with repair, partial meniscectomy or non-operative care depends on its location, pattern, tissue quality, symptoms and the person’s activity needs.
What Is It?
The meniscus is fibrocartilage that helps distribute load in the knee. Surgery is usually arthroscopic. A tear in a suitable, better-vascularised area may be repaired with sutures. If tissue is not repairable and continues to cause symptoms, partial meniscectomy may be considered while preserving as much meniscus as possible.
When Might It Be Considered?
These are common assessment considerations only; they do not mean that you are necessarily suitable for surgery or the procedure.
- Recurrent catching, locking, swelling or pain that fits the tear diagnosis
- An acute traumatic tear, an associated ligament injury, or a tear assessed as more suitable for repair
- Symptoms remain troublesome after an adequate period of non-operative care
What Are the Alternatives?
- For some tears without true locking, milder symptoms or degenerative changes, activity modification, physiotherapy, pain management and observation may be appropriate first
- An MRI finding of a tear does not by itself mean surgery is necessary
General Assessment and Procedure Planning
The decision combines injury history, knee examination, imaging, age, activity goals and other joint injuries. The final choice between repair and partial meniscectomy may only be confirmed after the tissue is viewed directly at arthroscopy.
Important
Possible Risks and Limitations
All surgery and invasive procedures carry risks. Your actual risk depends on your condition, the scope of the procedure, health and other factors. Your doctor will discuss this individually during informed consent.
- General surgical risks such as anaesthetic complications, bleeding, infection, blood clots and nerve or blood-vessel injury
- Failure of the repair to heal, re-tear, persistent pain or stiffness, and possible need for further treatment
- Removing too much meniscal tissue affects load sharing; the surgical plan and amount that can be preserved are individual decisions
General Recovery Approach
Meniscus repair commonly needs more protection than partial meniscectomy, with different restrictions on weight bearing, knee bending, bracing and impact activity. Rehabilitation focuses on swelling control, movement, walking, leg strength and movement control; return to sport is based on function and the treating team’s advice.
When Should You Contact the Medical Team Promptly?
- Pain, swelling, redness or warmth becomes suddenly worse after surgery or injury
- Persistent wound bleeding or discharge, marked wound redness or swelling, fever, chills or feeling generally unwell
- New or worsening numbness, weakness, breathing difficulty, chest pain or marked calf pain/swelling
For severe illness, breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting or inability to travel safely, call 999 or attend an emergency department immediately.
Reference
Hong Kong College of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Knee and Leg patient education
Would You Like to Discuss Which Treatment Direction May Be Suitable?
Book an orthopaedic assessment to discuss your symptoms, findings, lifestyle needs and treatment goals individually.