What are the surgical treatment options for a meniscus tear?

When non-surgical treatment fails or for larger, unstable tears causing mechanical symptoms, surgery may be recommended. This is almost always performed arthroscopically (keyhole surgery).

Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair: Whenever possible, repairing the torn meniscus is preferred. The surgeon stitches the torn pieces back together, preserving the knee’s natural shock absorber. This is most successful for tears in the “red zone” or outer part of the meniscus, which has a blood supply conducive to healing.

Partial Meniscectomy (Debridement): If the tear is in a region with poor blood supply (the “white zone”) or the tissue is of poor quality, the damaged portion of the meniscus is trimmed away. The goal is to remove the unstable fragment causing pain while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Up to 30% of meniscal tissue can be removed without significantly impacting the knee or leading to rapidly progressive arthritis.

Meniscus Root Repair: A tear at the “root” where the meniscus attaches to the bone is a serious injury. Repairing this is critical to restoring joint function and preventing rapid-onset arthritis.

Meniscus Transplant: In rare cases, for young patients who have previously had most of their meniscus removed and are experiencing pain, a transplant using donor tissue may be considered.