Meniscus surgery is a common operation to remove or repair a torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee. The surgery requires a few small incisions and takes about an hour. Recovery and rehabilitation take a few weeks. The procedure can reduce pain, improve mobility and stability, and get you back to life’s activities.
Meniscus surgery is an operation to remove or repair a torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee.
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Each knee has two menisci. They are rubbery, C-shaped cushions that serve as shock absorbers in the knee joint. If your meniscus is injured or torn (often called torn cartilage), your healthcare provider may recommend surgery to remove the damaged part or repair it.
Meniscus injury and surgery are common, especially among people who play sports. A sudden twist, turn or collision can tear a meniscus.
Older people also injure their menisci frequently. The menisci get weak over time and are more likely to tear. In fact, meniscus tears can be a normal occurrence as a part of the aging process.
Many people with a torn meniscus choose surgery because the injured cartilage can make the knee unstable (buckle and give way), cause pain and swelling or cause the knee to “lock-up” or become “stuck.”
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Some people need surgery for a torn meniscus, but some don’t. The decision depends on:
Your healthcare professional may suggest you first try nonsurgical treatments, such as :
If you and your surgeon decide to move forward with surgery for a torn meniscus, you may have some tests in advance. For example, blood tests, electrocardiogram (EKG) and chest X-ray can help determine whether you are healthy enough for surgery. (If you are relatively healthy, these tests are usually not needed.)
Someone from the anesthesia team will decide what type of anesthesia (pain control) you should receive:
If you receive local or regional anesthesia, you may also be sedated to help you relax. Most often you will have a general anesthetic for this type of procedure.
A few days before surgery, your healthcare provider will:
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The most common procedure for a torn meniscus is knee arthroscopy. It usually takes less than an hour.
First, you receive anesthesia. The surgical team cleans the skin on your knee and covers the rest of your leg with a surgical drape. The team might place a clamp on your upper thigh to help with positioning during surgery.
The surgeon makes a few small stab incisions (cuts) in your knee called portals. The team then fills the knee joint with a sterile fluid. The fluid helps control minor bleeding in the joint and washes away debris, which helps the surgeon see inside the joint.
The surgeon inserts a small tool called an arthroscope into the incision. An arthroscope is a thin tube with a small light and video camera at the end. The camera projects video images from inside your knee onto a monitor.
The surgeon uses the arthroscope to look at the tear and decide what surgical technique to perform:
Your surgeon inserts other surgical tools depending on the technique used. When the meniscectomy or meniscus repair is complete, the surgeon closes the portals with stitches or surgical strips. Then the team will cover your knee with a bandage.
Most people who have meniscus repair or meniscectomy don’t need to stay overnight at the hospital. You’ll wait in a recovery room for the anesthesia to wear off. When you are ready to leave, somebody else will need to drive you home.
Meniscus tear surgery can help:
Arthroscopic knee surgery is very safe, with only rare complications:
The recovery time for meniscus surgery depends on the type of surgery you had. It takes longer for a meniscus repair to heal than a meniscectomy. Full recovery from meniscus surgery can take anywhere from six weeks to three months. Your care after surgery may involve:
You will have some pain immediately after surgery and for several weeks, which is normal. Your healthcare provider will prescribe medications to help you manage the pain. The medications will help you complete the exercises needed to recover.
Most people can walk with crutches soon after meniscus surgery. Many return to normal activities within six to eight weeks.
Your healthcare provider may recommend low-impact activities rather than high-impact (such as walking rather than running). If you have a physical job, you may need extra time off work to recover.
Your healthcare provider will tell you when to schedule an appointment for follow-up. But you should call if you develop:
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Meniscus surgery can fix an injured or torn meniscus, a piece of cartilage in the knee joint. Talk to your healthcare professional if you have knee pain that interferes with your life, work or activities. An arthroscopic procedure can reduce pain, improve mobility and stability, and help you return to activities.
Last reviewed on 04/17/2021.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy