Knee · Dr. Jason Jones

Meniscus (cartilage) tears: repair and meniscectomy

The meniscus is the knee's shock absorber, and it tears both in sport and with everyday wear. When a tear can be repaired, Dr. Jones will usually recommend repair: the recovery is longer, but the knee does much better in the long term.

Request an appointmentOr call (615) 329-2520
Dr. Jason Jones and his surgical team during an arthroscopic procedure, with the joint on the monitor above

At a glance

Hospital stay
Outpatient
Trimming
About 30 minutes
Recovery after trimming
2 to 6 weeks
Sport after repair
About 6 months

Treatment

Trim or repair

The outer third of the meniscus has a rich blood supply. A tear in this red zone may heal on its own or can often be repaired. The inner two thirds has no blood supply, so tears in this white zone cannot heal and are usually trimmed away. Your age, activity level and any other injuries also shape the plan.

Partial meniscectomy

The damaged meniscus tissue is trimmed away. Recovery is quick, usually two to six weeks.

Meniscus repair

The torn pieces are stitched together, sometimes through extra 1 cm incisions for difficult tears. Repair restores the meniscus and its protection of the joint.

What the meniscus does

The meniscus is a wedge-shaped shock absorber between the thigh bone (femur) and the lower leg (tibia). It nourishes and protects the cartilage on the ends of those bones, and is important for the lifespan of your knee and pain-free function.

Tears are described by how they look and where they are. Common tears include bucket handle, flap and radial tears. Sports-related tears often happen with other injuries, such as ACL tears.

Illustration of the front of a knee, labeling the femur, patella, meniscus and tibia

Causes and symptoms

Sudden tears often happen in sport, when a player squats and twists the knee, sometimes with direct contact. Degenerative tears are more common with age: worn cartilage can tear with just an awkward twist getting up from a chair.

You might feel a pop when it tears. Most people can still walk, and many athletes keep playing. Over two to three days the knee becomes stiffer and more swollen. The most common symptoms are:

  • Pain
  • Stiffness and swelling
  • Catching or locking of the knee
  • The sensation of the knee giving way
  • Being unable to move the knee through its full range of motion

If a torn meniscus is suspected, an MRI is ordered to look at the meniscus and the knee cartilage. See a specialist if knee pain lasts longer than three weeks, or if the knee swells.

Through a small incision

Both are done arthroscopically. A miniature camera goes in through a small incision (portal) and gives a clear view of the inside of the knee. Miniature surgical instruments go in through other portals to trim or repair the tear.

Left, an illustration of an arthroscope and scissors inserted into a knee. Right, a photo of the arthroscope and an instrument in a draped knee during surgery
A camera and instruments inserted through small portals in a knee.

Why Dr. Jones repairs when he can

Active people with sudden tears tend to have healthy joints, and repairing the meniscus is important for their long-term outcome. Healing rates are very high, especially when surgery happens before the tissue is badly damaged. Degenerative tears are harder to repair, but in some cases repair can still prolong the life of the joint.

In general, if a meniscus can be repaired, Dr. Jones will suggest repair. The recovery is harder and there is a small chance the meniscus may not heal, but the long-term outcomes are much better.

Illustration of a torn meniscus being stitched closed, with a suture device passing through the tear and anchors seated along its outer edge

Recovery after a repair

Because the meniscus must heal back together, recovery from a repair is much longer than from trimming, and very different.

  1. Weeks 0 to 4A brace locked straight, in most cases.
  2. Weeks 2 to 4Off crutches.
  3. Months 2 to 3Running is permitted.
  4. After 6 monthsReturn to sport.

Posterior root tears

A tear of the meniscus attachment at the back of the knee is common with arthritis, and can lead to quickly advancing arthritis and loss of function. If the cartilage in that part of the joint is good and the meniscus tissue is relatively healthy, the root can be repaired. Recovery is the same as for any meniscus repair, and long-term outcomes improve if it heals.

Questions and answers

What might have caused the tear?

Often the cartilage simply weakens with age and tears with little or no injury. In other cases a twisting injury causes it.

How long does the procedure last?

Trimming a torn meniscus generally takes around 30 minutes. Repairs take longer.

Will I stay in the hospital overnight?

No. Meniscus surgery is an outpatient procedure.

Will I need physical therapy?

After trimming, most patients rehabilitate at home, or attend therapy for around three weeks. Repairs need a longer, supervised program.

How long will I be out of work?

About a week after trimming, and longer if your work involves heavy lifting, heights, running or jumping.

Your surgeon

Dr. Jason Jones

MD

Dr. Jones is a fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon specializing in the knee and shoulder. He has performed several thousand knee and shoulder procedures, focused on joint preservation and minimally invasive surgery.

  • Fellowship, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York
  • Assistant team physician, New York Jets and New York Islanders
  • Complex shoulder training in Nice, France, with Pascal Boileau
  • Chairman of Orthopedics, Saint Thomas Hospital
Request an appointment with Dr. JonesRead his story
Dr. Jason Jones smiling, arms folded, in his office

Before your visit

A few minutes with these now, and you walk in knowing what to ask Dr. Jones.

Read before you come in

Further reading

Also in Knee

Other knee problems Dr. Jones treats

Talk to Dr. Jones about your knee.

Request an appointment