Meniscus Tear
What is a meniscus tear, and what are the signs of one?
A meniscus tear is a rip in the rubbery cartilage that cushions the space between your thighbone and shinbone. Common signs may include pain along the side of the knee joint, swelling, and mechanical symptoms such as clicking, catching, or a feeling that the knee is locking in place. Traumatic tears often happen suddenly during a twisting motion, while wear-and-tear (degenerative) tears tend to come on gradually.¹
How painful is a torn meniscus?
Pain can vary widely; a traumatic tear may cause sharp, sudden pain along the joint line, often with swelling that builds over hours, whereas a degenerative tear may produce only mild, nagging discomfort that flares with deep bending or squatting. Some tears found on imaging cause no pain at all.¹,²
What happens if a torn meniscus is left untreated?
A meniscus tear can raise the long-term risk of developing knee arthritis. Although some tears, especially degenerative ones, may be managed without surgery, others, particularly large displaced tears that lock the knee, may worsen over time and are more likely to need surgical treatment.¹
Is it safe to walk on a knee with a torn meniscus?
In most cases, yes; walking and gentle exercise are typically part of the recommended first-line treatment, and it is recommended to stay active with modifications, avoiding deep knee bending and activities that provoke pain.¹,² However, if the knee locks or gives way, that may signal a displaced tear that needs prompt medical attention.
Meniscectomy and Meniscus Repair
What does meniscus surgery involve, and what are the surgical options?
Meniscus surgery is typically performed arthroscopically, meaning your surgeon uses a small camera and instruments inserted through two or three tiny incisions around the knee. The two main options generally consist of partial meniscectomy (trimming away the damaged portion) and meniscus repair (stitching the torn edges back together); which procedure is used depends on individual factors such as the tear’s location, pattern, and the overall health of the cartilage.¹
When is a meniscus tear repairable, and when is it not?
A tear is most likely repairable when it sits in the outer portion of the meniscus, where blood supply is usually sufficient for healing.¹ In contrast, tears in the inner portion, which has little blood flow, are generally less likely to heal and are treated with partial meniscectomy instead. Complex or degenerative tears are also less likely to be repairable.³
Who Is A Candidate
How do you know if a meniscus tear needs surgery?
Most tears are first treated with physiotherapy for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Surgery is typically considered when symptoms such as pain, swelling, or locking persist despite rehabilitation, or when the tear is large and displaced.¹ Your surgeon will weigh the tear pattern, your activity level, and your response to physiotherapy to take the best decision for you.
How long can a meniscus tear go without surgery?
Though it is often recommended to try physiotherapy for 1-3 months, there is no strict timeline; many people with milder disease manage well long-term with exercise-based treatment alone. Delaying surgery does not generally make the procedure harder, though symptoms lasting longer than a year have been linked to somewhat less favourable surgical outcomes.¹
The Road to Recovery
How long does recovery from meniscus surgery take?
Depending on the procedure, full recovery typically ranges between 2-6 months. After a partial meniscectomy, most people return to sports or full activity within about 2 months. After a meniscus repair, recovery is longer because the stitched tissue needs time to heal, so return to full activity typically occurs around 4 to 6 months.¹,⁴
How painful is the surgery and the days afterward?
Pain will be controlled with anesthesia during the procedure. After surgery, pain is usually manageable with anti-inflammatory medication; stronger painkillers are rarely needed for more than a few days.²,⁵ Most patients find that discomfort improves significantly within the first week.
Will you need crutches, and how long until you can walk normally?
After a partial meniscectomy, most people can walk with little to no crutch support within a few days. After a meniscus repair, crutches are typically needed for weeks, and more complex repairs may require up to 6 weeks of limited weight-bearing.⁴ Your surgeon will set specific guidelines based on the type of repair performed.
When can you drive again?
For right-knee surgery, ability to brake while driving typically returns to normal about 4 weeks after right-knee arthroscopy.⁶ Your surgeon will confirm when it is safe, taking into account pain levels and whether you are taking strong pain medication.
As recovery is different for everyone, these timelines can only provide general guidance; your surgeon, and any physiotherapist you work with, will help discuss the specifics of your case and personalize your recovery plan.
The Risks
What are the disadvantages or risks of meniscus surgery?
Meniscus surgery is generally considered low-risk, as complications are uncommon; the overall 30-day complication rate is < 1% for partial meniscectomy and ≈ 1.4% for meniscus repair. The complications can include infection, blood clots in the leg or lung, and stiffness. After a meniscus repair, there is an ≈ 15% chance the repair may need further treatment. Removing meniscus tissue (meniscectomy) may also increase the long-term risk of knee arthritis, although modestly.¹,⁷,⁸
Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you before surgery, including any others specific to your health, and how they apply to your individual case.
The Years Ahead
Can you return to full function after meniscus surgery?
Most people are able to return to full function; roughly 8 in 10 athletes return to their pre-injury level of sport after meniscus surgery. Outcomes tend to be best when less meniscus tissue is removed and when the knee has healthy cartilage at the time of surgery.¹ As such, surgeons operate as conservatively as possible to preserve healthy tissues.
