Meniscus Tear Repair Surgery
Often times, when people talk about torn cartilage in the knee, they are usually referring to torn meniscus. The meniscus is a C-shaped cushion of cartilage in the knee joint. At this time there is no known medicine or therapy that will heal or fix a torn meniscus.
This usually means either partial excision (removal) or repair of the tear is necessary. Excision versus repair is often decided at the time of arthroscopic surgery.
The type of procedure decided by the surgeon will depend upon several factors:
- the patient’s age
- the age of the tear
- the size and location
- as well as the patient’s activity level
All these factors play a role in deciding whether a tear can be repaired or must be excised. In general, due to the essential role of the meniscus in protecting the knee from early arthritis, repair when possible, is always preferable to removal. Only tears in the outermost regions of the knee can be repaired.
Many meniscal tears do not occur at the periphery, where there is a blood supply for healing and cannot be repaired. The torn portion must be surgically removed. Losing a large portion of the meniscus cushion in your healthy knee can lead to persistent knee pain and arthritis could develop. For many older patients with this condition, a knee joint replacement might be the right option.
A meniscal transplant replaces the damaged meniscus with donor cartilage.
Meniscal transplants are not right for everyone and are uncommonly done. If you already have arthritis in your knee, a meniscal transplant may not help you. But for a select group of young, active patients, meniscal transplants can offer significant pain relief.
Meniscus Tear Repair FAQ
What Is the Meniscus Tear Repair Procedure?
Knee **arthroscopy** is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. A **miniature camera** is inserted through a small incision, providing a clear view of the inside of the knee.
Your **orthopedic surgeon** then inserts **miniature surgical instruments** through other small incisions to **trim or repair** the meniscus tear.
What Is a Meniscectomy?
In this procedure, the **damaged meniscal tissue** is **trimmed away** to prevent further knee complications.
What Is a Meniscus Repair?
Some **meniscal tears** can be repaired by **suturing (stitching)** the torn pieces together.
Whether a tear can be successfully treated with **repair** depends upon:
- The **type of tear**.
- The **overall condition** of the injured meniscus.
Since the **meniscus must heal** back together, **recovery time** for a **repair** is much **longer** than for a **meniscectomy**.
What Is an Allograft/Transplant Procedure?
If your **meniscus is severely damaged** or a **large portion has been removed**, the **articular cartilage** protecting your knee may begin to wear down.
This condition, called **osteoarthritis**, involves **frayed and rough cartilage**, making movement painful.
What Are the Benefits of a Meniscal Transplant?
The goal of **meniscal transplant surgery** is to **replace the meniscus cushion** before **articular cartilage damage** occurs.
The **donor cartilage** helps to:
- **Support and stabilize** the knee joint.
- **Delay the development** of arthritis.
Though **long-term results** are still being studied, meniscal transplants can improve knee function.
How Does a Meniscus Transplant Work?
If your **torn meniscus cannot be repaired**, your **surgeon** may insert a **new (transplanted) meniscus** to maintain the **healthy joint space** in your knee.
The **transplant materials** include **healthy cartilage tissue** from a **cadaver (human donor)**, which is:
- Preserved in a **medical solution**.
- Stored in a **frozen state** before surgery.
- **Sized and tested** for compatibility.
**Correct sizing** is one of the most important factors in the **success** of the transplant.