Patient information about meniscus repair surgery

This page is general information intended for patients of Dr. Borshch in Brisbane who are preparing for Orthopaedic meniscus surgery for Meniscal tears.

Your individual condition and treatment plan may be different, so this information should be used alongside the advice of your surgeon and treating team.

The meniscus is a strong, rubbery, mobile piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber inside the knee. Each knee has two menisci (medial and lateral) that help:

• distribute load across the joint
• improve stability
• protect the joint cartilage

A meniscus repair is an operation where a torn meniscus is stitched back together to allow it to heal, rather than removing the damaged portion.

The aim of meniscus repair is to:

• preserve as much normal meniscus tissue as possible
• reduce pain and mechanical symptoms (catching, locking)
• protect the knee from early arthritis

Repairing the meniscus, when possible, is preferred over removing it, as removing meniscus tissue increases the long-term risk of knee arthritis. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10719156/)

I attempt to do a meniscus repair anytime there is a reasonable chance of healing with surgery.  The tears with the best chance of healing are those in young patients and those in the outer portion (peripheral, more vascular part) of the meniscus.  Tears that are repaired at the same time as ACL reconstruction have a better chance of healing, and those that are repaired in isolation are usually augmented either with fibrin clot, notchplasty (making a hole in the bone to stimulate release of healing factors) and rasping.

Good preparation improves healing and recovery.

• Stop smoking/vaping if possible (smoking impairs healing).
• Maintain good nutrition and general health.
• Inform the team of any medical conditions or medications.

Pre-operative physiotherapy can help by:

• reducing swelling
• restoring knee movement
• improving quadriceps strength

Better knee function before surgery often leads to smoother recovery afterward.

• Arrange time off work or sport as advised.
• Plan for temporary activity restrictions after surgery.
• Set up space for icing, exercises, and leg elevation.

Your team will advise which medications to stop or continue before surgery.

• Meniscus repair is usually performed as day surgery.
• Pain is managed with a multimodal pain relief plan.
• You will go home with crutches and often a brace.

• Weight-bearing is usually restricted or protected to allow the repair to heal.
• Knee bending may be limited (often to 90 degrees) depending on the repair.
• Regular physiotherapy focuses on swelling control, safe movement, and muscle activation.
• Driving is usually not safe until you can walk comfortably and control the pedals.

• Gradual increase in weight-bearing and knee movement.
• Progressive strengthening of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hips.
• The brace (if used) is usually weaned, but knee bending is often still restricted to less than 110 degrees to protect the meniscus repair.

• Higher-level strengthening and functional exercises.
• Light jogging and sport-specific training may begin under physiotherapy guidance.

• Return to pivoting or contact sports is usually allowed once strength, control, and confidence have fully returned.

• When appropriately selected, meniscus repairs have good healing rates and can restore knee function.
• Healing rates vary depending on tear type, location, and patient factors, but are commonly reported around 70–90% in suitable cases. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9165248/)

• Preserving the meniscus helps protect the knee from developing early osteoarthritis, particularly compared with meniscus removal. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10719156/)

Contact our office, your GP, or seek urgent care if you notice:

• increasing redness, warmth, or swelling
• worsening pain after initial improvement
• discharge from the wounds
• fevers or feeling unwell

(Infection after arthroscopic meniscus surgery is rare, typically <1%.)

• return of locking, catching, or sharp joint-line pain
• new swelling after initial improvement
• a feeling that the knee is “not right”

• calf pain or tenderness
• increasing leg swelling
• sudden shortness of breath or chest pain (call emergency services)

• difficulty bending or straightening the knee despite physiotherapy
• early review can help prevent long-term problems