Meniscus Tear Surgery

About Meniscus Tear Surgery

Meniscus tear surgery treats damage to the C-shaped cartilage cushions inside the knee that absorb shock and stabilize the joint between the thighbone and shinbone, injuries that commonly occur from twisting movements during sport or from gradual degeneration in older adults. Depending on the tear's location, size, and pattern, the surgeon performs one of two arthroscopic procedures: meniscus repair, in which the torn edges are stitched back together to preserve as much cartilage as possible, particularly in younger patients with tears in the well-vascularized outer zone, or partial meniscectomy, in which the damaged, unstable portion of the meniscus is trimmed away while retaining healthy tissue. Both procedures are carried out through small portal incisions using an arthroscope and fine instruments, typically taking thirty to sixty minutes under spinal or general anesthesia. Surgery is generally advised when pain, swelling, catching, or locking persist despite rest and physiotherapy, or when an MRI confirms a repairable or unstable tear. Indian arthroscopy units routinely offer both repair and meniscectomy techniques, selecting the approach that best preserves long-term knee function. Recovery after meniscectomy is usually quicker, while repair requires a more protected rehabilitation period to allow the stitched tissue to heal.