What Is Meniscus Surgery?
Keyhole repair or trimming of torn meniscal cartilage relieves locking, catching and pain. It also protects the long-term health of the knee.
Each knee contains two menisci, C-shaped wedges of tough cartilage that sit between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). They act as shock absorbers, help spread load evenly across the joint, and contribute to knee stability. A meniscus can tear suddenly during a twisting injury. Or it can split gradually as the tissue becomes less resilient with age.
Meniscus surgery is a surgical treatment performed using knee arthroscopy, a keyhole technique. A small camera and fine instruments are passed into the joint through two or three very small incisions. Depending on the size, position, pattern and age of the tear, the surgeon may:
- Repair the meniscus using sutures or specialised implants, preserving as much of the cartilage as possible. Repair is more likely to be considered for tears in the outer part of the meniscus. This is where the blood supply is better and healing potential is higher.
- Trim the torn portion (partial meniscectomy), removing only the unstable fragment that is catching in the joint. This leaves healthy meniscal tissue intact.
- Address associated problems found at the same time, such as loose fragments of cartilage or inflamed tissue.
Wherever it is clinically appropriate, modern practice favours preserving meniscal tissue. This is because the meniscus plays an important protective role in the long-term health of the knee. Surgery is generally considered after conservative treatment has been tried. It’s also considered where there are clear mechanical symptoms such as a knee that locks or gives way.
Who May Benefit From Meniscus Surgery?
Not everyone with a meniscal tear needs an operation. Many degenerative tears settle with time, activity modification and a structured rehabilitation programme. A surgical opinion may be helpful if you experience:
- Persistent pain along the inner or outer joint line of the knee
- A knee that locks, jams or will not fully straighten
- Clicking, catching or a sensation of something moving inside the joint
- Recurrent swelling after activity
- A feeling that the knee is unreliable or gives way
- Difficulty squatting, kneeling, using stairs or turning
- Symptoms that have not improved after several weeks of physiotherapy
Suitability depends on your age, activity level, the pattern of the tear and the condition of the rest of the joint. It also depends on whether there is associated ligament damage or established arthritis. Your surgeon will advise you based on your individual assessment rather than on the scan alone. This is because meniscal changes are commonly seen on MRI in people who have no symptoms at all.
Conditions and Problems That May Be Treated
- Traumatic meniscal tears, often from twisting, pivoting or sporting injuries
- Bucket-handle tears causing a locked knee, which may need prompt assessment
- Degenerative meniscal tears in middle-aged and older adults
- Root tears and complex tear patterns
- Meniscal injury occurring alongside anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage
- Loose bodies and unstable cartilage flaps within the joint
- Mechanical symptoms that have not responded to conservative care
Potential Benefits
Outcomes vary from person to person, and no surgical procedure can guarantee a specific result. Where surgery is clinically appropriate, it may:
- Reduce mechanical symptoms such as locking and catching
- Help ease pain related to an unstable meniscal fragment
- Support a return to work, exercise and daily activities
- Improve knee movement and confidence in the joint
- Where repair is possible, preserve meniscal tissue that helps protect the joint surfaces over the longer term
It is worth knowing that evidence reviewed by organisations such as NICE and summarised in Cochrane reviews suggests something important. Arthroscopic surgery for degenerative meniscal tears associated with osteoarthritis often offers little additional benefit over structured exercise therapy. This is why a careful, individualised discussion matters more than a scan result.
Your Recovery Timeline
- Day 0: Home the same day, weight-bearing as advised for your procedure
- Week 1–2: Swelling settles, physiotherapy begins to restore movement and strength
- Week 4–6: Meniscectomy patients often return to normal activity and light sport
- Week 8–12+: Meniscal repair patients progress more gradually to protect the stitched tear
Consultation and Assessment
Your consultation with Mr Shanmugasundaram Rajkumar is designed to reach an accurate diagnosis before any treatment is recommended. It usually includes:
- A detailed history of your injury, symptoms, occupation, sports and previous knee problems
- A physical examination assessing swelling, movement, joint line tenderness, ligament stability and specific meniscal tests
- Imaging where indicated, typically weight-bearing X-rays to assess joint wear, and MRI to visualise the meniscus, ligaments and cartilage
- A clear explanation of your diagnosis using your images
- Discussion of all reasonable options, including physiotherapy, activity modification, injections and surgery
- An honest review of the likely benefits, the risks and what recovery would involve
You will have time to ask questions, and there is no obligation to proceed with surgery.
How the Procedure Is Performed
Knee arthroscopy is normally carried out as a day-case procedure in a hospital or private surgical unit. This means most patients go home the same day. It is usually performed under general anaesthetic, although spinal anaesthesia may be an option for some patients. The anaesthetist will discuss this with you beforehand.
During the operation
- Two or three small incisions, each around a centimetre long, are made at the front of the knee
- A camera is inserted so the whole joint can be inspected, including the cartilage surfaces and ligaments
- The tear is assessed and either repaired or carefully trimmed, preserving healthy tissue wherever possible
- The joint is washed out and the small wounds are closed with sutures or adhesive strips
The procedure itself often takes around 30 to 60 minutes. This depends on the complexity of the tear and whether other work is required within the joint. You will be observed in recovery, given pain relief and reviewed by a physiotherapist before discharge.
Recovery and Aftercare
Recovery timescales differ considerably depending on whether the meniscus was repaired or trimmed. As a general guide:
After a partial meniscectomy
- Walking with support is usually possible straight away, often progressing quickly
- Swelling and discomfort commonly settle over the first two to three weeks
- Desk-based work is often resumed within one to two weeks
- Return to sport is typically gradual over roughly six to eight weeks, guided by physiotherapy
After a meniscal repair
- A brace and restricted weight-bearing or limited knee bending may be advised to protect the repair
- Rehabilitation is more staged, and full recovery commonly takes several months
- Return to pivoting sports is usually later, only once strength and control have been regained
Physiotherapy is an important part of the process in both cases, helping restore movement, quadriceps strength and balance. Follow-up appointments allow wound healing and progress to be reviewed. Seek medical advice promptly if you develop increasing pain, spreading redness, wound discharge or fever. Also seek help for calf swelling and breathlessness, as these may indicate infection or a blood clot.
Risks and Considerations
Knee arthroscopy is generally considered a low-risk procedure, but all surgery carries some risk. Possible complications include:
- Infection, bleeding or wound problems
- Persistent swelling or stiffness
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)
- Numbness around the incisions from small nerve branches
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, particularly where arthritis is also present
- Failure of a meniscal repair to heal, occasionally requiring further surgery
- Anaesthetic-related risks, which will be discussed with you
Results and recovery vary between individuals, and surgery is not always the right answer. Alternatives such as targeted physiotherapy, load management, weight management where relevant, analgesia and injection therapy may be discussed. These are sometimes recommended first.
Why Choose Mr Shanmugasundaram Rajkumar?
Mr Shanmugasundaram Rajkumar is a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon with more than 16 years of consultant experience. His practice covers hip and knee surgery, joint replacement, knee arthroscopy and complex trauma care. He is fellowship-trained in lower limb arthroplasty and knee surgery. He also has previous experience at Wrightington Hospital, a recognised centre for joint replacement surgery.
- Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow
- College Tutor/Regional Surgical Advisor for the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- Specialist expertise in knee arthroscopy and cartilage preservation surgery
- Experienced in primary and revision hip and knee replacement, with outcomes evidenced through National Joint Registry and Scottish Arthroplasty Project data
- Active researcher involved in randomised controlled trials and UK and European multicentre studies
- Published in peer-reviewed orthopaedic journals, and a reviewer and consulting editor for international surgical journals
- National lecturer and medical educator in Trauma & Orthopaedics
Care follows the standards promoted by bodies such as the British Orthopaedic Association. The emphasis is on accurate diagnosis, shared decision-making and treating the patient rather than the scan.
Location and Areas Served
Mr Shanmugasundaram Rajkumar sees patients for knee assessment and meniscus surgery in Glasgow. He is well placed for those travelling from Renfrewshire, Paisley and the surrounding West of Scotland. Appointments are arranged to allow adequate time for examination, review of imaging and a full discussion of your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is meniscus surgery painful?
The procedure itself is performed under anaesthetic, so you should not feel it. Afterwards, most patients describe moderate soreness and swelling that is manageable with simple pain relief, ice and elevation. This eases over the first couple of weeks.
How long does the operation take?
Most knee arthroscopies take around 30 to 60 minutes. You should expect to be at the hospital for several hours to allow for admission, anaesthetic and recovery.
How long will I need off work?
This depends on your job and the type of surgery. Office-based work is often possible within one to two weeks after a partial meniscectomy. Physically demanding roles and meniscal repairs usually require considerably longer.
Will I need physiotherapy?
Yes, rehabilitation is an important part of recovery. A tailored programme helps restore movement, strength and confidence in the knee.
Are there alternatives to surgery?
Often, yes. Structured exercise therapy, activity modification, pain relief and injections may be appropriate, particularly for degenerative tears. Your options will be discussed fully during your consultation.
When should I arrange an assessment?
Consider seeking a specialist opinion if your knee locks, gives way or remains painful and swollen despite several weeks of conservative treatment. A knee that is stuck and cannot be straightened should be assessed promptly.
At a glance
Anaesthetic
General or spinal, often day-case
Operation time
20–45 minutes
Hospital stay
Day-case, home same day
Recovery
1–6 weeks, longer if repaired
Technique
Arthroscopic (keyhole)
Fees & insurance
New Consultation
£180
Follow-up
£110
Insurers
Bupa · AXA Health · Aviva · Vitality · WPA
Self-pay
All-inclusive quotation on request
A written quotation is provided before any procedure is booked.
Discuss your knee
Request an appointment at Ross Hall Hospital, Glasgow.