Meniscus Repair Surgery in Surrey

What is Involved in Meniscus Repair?

The meniscus are two C-shaped shock absorbers within the knee joint. They sit between the tibia (shin bone) and femur (thigh bone). These are anchored firmly to the bone at the front and back of your knee. They also have more flexible attachments to the capsule of your knee joint, around the periphery.

The menisci are important to the structural integrity and function of your knee joint, and carry out multiple functions, including:

• Acting as shock absorbers
• Providing congruency and stability to the articulation of the knee
• Improving the lubrication and smooth running of the knee joint
• Helping with the transfer of weight from one leg to the other

Damage to the meniscal cartilage can lead to the knee catching and locking as well as pain and instability. In the long term, this can cause degenerative change and arthritis. It is therefore necessary sometimes to operate on torn menisci, to improve symptoms and also reduce the long-term wear and tear to the knee, reducing the chance of developing arthritis. 

Meniscal repair is carried out arthroscopically, using a variety of techniques, to place sutures across the torn part of the cartilage and restore its normal anatomy and aid the healing of the tear.

There are many different types of meniscal repair, and the precise surgery that you require will depend on the location, severity and pattern of the tear.

Why might I need a meniscal repair?

Meniscal repair surgery is carried out for two reasons:

1. To help alleviate symptoms.  Cartilage tears can cause pain, catching, instability and occasionally locking of the knee, dependent on the pattern of the tear. Repair will help alleviate these symptoms.
2. To prevent degenerative change within the knee. Certain types of meniscal tear can put pressure on surfaces within the knee joint, and a failure to repair it can develop into arthritis.

A thorough history taken by your surgeon, and appropriate imaging, will confirm whether or not your knee condition is suitable for meniscal repair surgery. Sometimes cartilage preservation will be more appropriate.

What happens after surgery?

The procedure is normally carried out under general anaesthetic as a day case operation, and the majority of the repair can normally be carried out as a keyhole operation. Depending on the pattern, severity and type of  repair, you may require a knee brace following surgery. With the aid of crutches, you can usually bear your full weight on your knee straight after surgery.

Your dressings will need to remain in place for two weeks, after which time you will return to the clinic so we can be sure your recovery progresses as planned.

A three-month course of physiotherapy after surgery is usually required, with no return to sport for at least the first six weeks.  

Recovery milestones

Weeks 1 to 2:

Over this period, you must keep the wounds clean and dry. Ice and anti-inflammatories can be used to reduce the swelling and help you regain your range of movement.

Rest your knee as appropriate.

Weeks 2 to 12:

It is important not to stress the repair during this stage by participating in impact or contact sports.

Gradually your physiotherapist will work with you to improve your strength and get you back to the activities you want to do. 

Frequently asked questions

Will I need a brace following surgery?

Most meniscal repairs do not require a brace, but they may be recommended to restrict your range of movement and prevent excessive load as the knee heals. 

Will I need crutches?

While you will be encouraged to bear weight on your leg following surgery, as this aids the nourishment of the cartilage from synovial fluid and pushes the meniscus out to the periphery of the knee joint where the blood supply is best, most patients do need crutches for comfort.

When will I be able to return to work/sport?

This will depend on the pattern of your tear and gravity of the meniscal repair surgery. You can discuss this in detail with your surgeon.