Meniscus tear surgery is often considered for persistent pain, locking, instability, or significant swelling, especially in younger, active individuals with fresh tears or tears in areas with poor blood supply (inner two-thirds) that won't heal. Surgery aims to restore function and prevent long-term issues like arthritis, though conservative options like rest, PT, and anti-inflammatories work for mild tears or degenerative issues. A surgeon determines the best approach based on tear location, severity, and symptoms.
You may want to have surgery if your knee pain is too great or if you are unable to do daily activities. Surgery to repair a tear may help you reduce the risk of other joint problems, such as osteoarthritis .
A meniscus tear can get better on its own without treatment, but it can take a while to heal. Sometimes, physiotherapy may be recommended to help reduce pain and improve movement and strength in the knee. If the damage is severe, you may need arthroscopy surgery to repair or remove the damaged cartilage.
In either case, waiting to have meniscus surgery doesn't have a hard "time limit," but the longer you wait, the less likely a surgeon will be able to repair the damage and the more likely that you'll need a meniscectomy.
The pain may come and go over a period of years if the tear isn't treated. Larger tears usually cause more pain and immediate swelling and stiffness. Pieces of the torn meniscus can float into the joint space. This can make the knee catch, pop, or lock.
Knee catching or locking is often a glaring sign of a torn meniscus. You might feel or even hear clicking when you extend and bend your knee, or your knee might feel stuck in one position. This catching sensation usually happens alongside swelling and pain.
Perimeniscal injections: a new gold standard for meniscus tear treatment. Perimeniscal injections offer a promising new pathway in the conservative management of degenerative meniscus tears. Degenerative meniscus tears are a common cause of persistent knee pain, especially in ageing and active populations.
Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options. If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.)
For small or moderate meniscus tears, walking may still be possible, but excessive walking or prolonged standing could worsen pain and inflammation. If your knee feels stable and you can walk with minimal discomfort, light activity may be okay, but you should avoid excessive strain, twisting, or squatting movements.
Although knee braces do not heal or treat your meniscus tear directly, they can provide extra support and stability for your knee while your meniscus injury heals.
If a meniscus suture is performed, the operated leg may only be partially loaded for a few weeks to allow the meniscus tear to heal. Depending on the shape of the tear, forearm support crutches should be used for 4-6 weeks.
Meniscus surgery is safe and effective, but it does have a risk of some complications, including: Blood clots. Bleeding inside your knee. Infections.
A grade 3 meniscus tear is the most severe form. It is characterized by a complete tear that often extends through the full thickness of the cartilage, splitting the meniscus into two sections. Bucket handle tears account for one-third of meniscus tears and are typical examples of grade 3 injuries.
Repairing — not removing — torn meniscus improves results for athletes. No matter what sport you play, your meniscus helps you stay in the game. Menisci are C-shaped firm, elastic pieces of cartilage that cushion and stabilize the knee joint. Tearing this cartilage is a common injury.
Meniscus damage is most frequently seen between the ages of 15 and 30 or between the ages of 45 and 70. Damaging or losing part of the meniscus can lead to short-term symptoms related to the meniscus damage and/or longer-term symptoms of arthritis due to the lack of the knee's normal shock absorber.
Rowing and biking are another two great activities to maintain physical fitness in the setting of degenerative meniscus tears. In these two activities, by assuming a seated position, there is less weight transmission through the knees.
You might develop the following signs and symptoms in your knee:
Your doctor may recommend the RICE regimen—rest, ice, compression, and elevation—to treat a meniscus tear. Resting your knee can help relieve your symptoms. Your doctor may suggest using a cane for a few weeks to keep weight off your knee and to stay away from physical activity that may have contributed to the injury.
Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain, especially any activity that causes you to twist, rotate or pivot your knee. If your pain is severe, using crutches can take pressure off your knee and promote healing.
You can have a lot of pain immediately, and for up to a week, after surgery. Your doctor may give you hydrocodone or oxycodone for pain relief. These are narcotic medications and should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor.
Alcohol disrupts immune cells' ability to reach and repair injured tissues – slowing the regeneration of healthy muscle, tendons and ligaments. This delays the clean-up of damaged cells and also prolongs swelling and sensitivity, which further delays the process of repair.
It doesn't heal the meniscus
A cortisone injection cannot heal your meniscus tear. In most cases, your body will heal over time if you follow the correct rehab plan. Cortisone only helps with reducing the pain and inflammation from meniscal injuries.
The meniscus plays an important and crucial role in protecting the cartilage of your knee. A torn meniscus no longer protects the knee, and the beneficial affects of the meniscus are lost. After this torn piece of meniscus is removed, new meniscus will not grow back.
The most common side effect is mild pain and swelling at the injection site that goes away on its own. About 1% of people have a more severe reaction called an injection flare. It causes fluid to accumulate in the joint, with significant swelling and pain.