Meniscus Repair

Meniscus repair stitches a torn meniscus back together rather than cutting out the damaged tissue. The meniscus is the C-shaped cartilage cushion in the knee, and keeping it intact matters — removal raises long-term arthritis risk. Repair works best for tears in the outer zone, where blood supply is good enough for the tissue to actually heal.

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Meniscus Repair surgery - orthopaedic procedure overview and what to expect

Who Needs Meniscus Repair?

Younger, active patients with fresh tears in the outer (vascular) zone get the best results. Longitudinal and bucket-handle tears are the most repairable patterns. Tears in the inner avascular zone typically need partial removal instead, since that tissue won't heal regardless of how it's repaired.

What to Expect

MRI to classify tear type, location, and suitability for repair vs. removal

Surgery takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours under anesthesia

Arthroscopic procedure through 2-3 small incisions

Sutures or anchors are placed to hold the tear together while it heals

Crutches required for 4-6 weeks to protect the repair

Same-day discharge for most patients

Recovery Timeline

Weeks 1-4

Non-weight-bearing or toe-touch weight bearing with crutches. Brace locked in extension. Range-of-motion exercises.

Weeks 4-8

Progressive weight bearing. Brace unlocked. Physical therapy for quad strengthening.

Months 2-3

Full weight bearing. Stationary cycling and swimming introduced.

Months 3-5

Jogging on flat surfaces. Sport-specific drills begin.

Months 5-6

Return to full sport for most patients with successful healing.

Risks & Complications

Re-tear (15-25% failure rate, higher in older patients)
Failure to heal requiring repeat surgery or partial removal
Stiffness
Infection (less than 1%)
Blood clots (rare)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is recovery from meniscus repair vs. removal?

Repair takes 4-6 months to return to sport. Partial removal gets you back in 6-12 weeks. The longer timeline is the trade-off for keeping the meniscus — which matters a lot for long-term joint health, especially in younger patients.

Is meniscus repair always better than removal?

No. Repair only works when the tear is in tissue with enough blood supply to heal. Inner-zone tears won't heal with repair, so removal is the right call there. Your surgeon will look at the tear location and pattern before recommending either option.

Can a meniscus tear heal without surgery?

Small outer-zone tears occasionally heal on their own with 6-8 weeks of rest, physical therapy, and activity changes. Most tears don't, particularly bucket-handle tears or anything causing the knee to lock — those need surgery.

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Estimated Cost

$10,000 - $30,000 (before insurance). Covered by most insurance plans.

Full cost breakdown

Related Specialty

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This information is for educational purposes only. Costs are estimates and vary by location, surgeon, and insurance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.