Could your meniscus tear be repaired instead of removed? Surgery isn't always the only option.
When a meniscus tear is suitable for repair, preserving the cartilage is usually preferred because the meniscus plays an important role in cushioning, stabilizing, and protecting the knee joint over time.
What is the meniscus? The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that sits between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). It helps absorb shock, distribute weight, and support smooth knee movement. When the meniscus is torn, the knee may become painful, swollen, stiff, or difficult to move normally.
At Mubadala Health Dubai, our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists provide comprehensive evaluation and advanced arthroscopic meniscus repair when clinically appropriate, helping restore knee function, relieve pain, and support a safe return to daily activities and sport.
A meniscus tear can happen suddenly during a twisting movement, sports injury, or sudden change in direction. It may also develop gradually due to age-related wear and tear.
Common symptoms include:
If these symptoms continue, early evaluation can help determine whether the meniscus may be repairable or whether another treatment approach is more appropriate.
Accurate diagnosis is important because not every meniscus tear can be repaired; the type, location, size, and pattern of the tear all influence the treatment plan.
At Mubadala Health Dubai, evaluation often includes:
Early diagnosis is especially important because some meniscus tears are more suitable for repair when treated before the tear worsens or becomes less stable.
As mentioned, not every meniscus tear requires surgery. Some small, stable, or degenerative tears may improve with rest, activity modification, pain management, physiotherapy, and strengthening exercises.
Meniscus repair may be recommended when:
During arthroscopic meniscus repair, the surgeon makes small keyhole incisions around the knee. A tiny camera is inserted into the joint, allowing the surgeon to see the tear clearly and use specialized instruments to stitch the torn cartilage back together.
The goal is to preserve as much of the natural meniscus as possible, helping maintain knee cushioning, reduce stress on the joint, and support long-term knee health.
In some cases, if the tear cannot be repaired because of its location, pattern, or severity, partial meniscectomy may be recommended instead. This involves removing only the damaged portion while preserving as much healthy meniscus tissue as possible.
Recovery after meniscus repair usually takes longer than recovery after meniscectomy because the repaired cartilage needs time to heal.
A structured rehabilitation program may focus on:
Your return to activity will depend on the type of tear, the repair performed, healing progress, strength, stability, and guidance from your care team.
A repairable meniscus tear should be assessed early. If left untreated, the tear may worsen, become less suitable for repair, or contribute to ongoing pain, swelling, locking, and reduced knee function.
Timely diagnosis helps determine whether the meniscus can be preserved and allows your specialist to recommend the most appropriate treatment to support long-term knee health.
You should consider seeing an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist if you experience:
Early assessment can improve the chances of identifying a repairable tear and choosing the right treatment plan.
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Meniscus repair is an arthroscopic procedure used to stitch a torn meniscus back together so it can heal, helping preserve the knee’s natural cushioning and stability.
Meniscus repair stitches the torn cartilage together, while meniscectomy removes the damaged portion of the meniscus. Whenever possible, repair is preferred because it preserves more of the knee’s natural structure and function.
Patients with tears in areas of the meniscus that have better blood supply are often better candidates for repair. The tear pattern, tissue quality, age of the injury, activity level, and overall knee health also influence whether repair is suitable.
Recovery usually takes longer than after meniscectomy because the repaired cartilage needs time to heal. Many patients require several months of rehabilitation before returning to sports or high-impact activities.
Yes. Physiotherapy is an important part of recovery. It helps restore movement, rebuild strength, improve stability, and protect the repaired meniscus during healing.
No. Some tears cannot be repaired because of their location, shape, severity, or limited blood supply. In these cases, partial meniscectomy may be the better option.
Meniscus repair requires careful diagnosis, surgical precision, and a structured rehabilitation plan to support healing. At Mubadala Health Dubai, our orthopedic and sports medicine team provides personalized care from assessment through arthroscopic treatment and recovery, helping patients preserve knee function, protect long-term joint health, and return to movement safely.
