Meniscus repair

Meniscus repair uses sutures to stabilize the torn tissue so it can heal while preserving as much of the meniscus as possible. Repair is preferred when the tear and tissue are suitable, but not every tear can be repaired.

It is typically performed arthroscopically, using small incisions and a camera to place sutures across the tear. Because the goal is to let the repaired tissue heal, the procedure is followed by a protective, staged rehabilitation program.

Repairability depends on the tear pattern and location, tissue quality, blood supply, chronicity, associated injuries, and individual patient factors. The final decision sometimes must be made during arthroscopy after the tear is directly evaluated.

In other words, a plan is discussed beforehand, but what the surgeon finds when directly evaluating the tear can confirm or change whether repair or removing tissue is the better option.

Rehabilitation after meniscus repair protects the healing tissue. Bracing, weight-bearing, and motion restrictions depend on the tear and repair construct. A return to full sports participation typically takes approximately 4–6 months, although recovery and clearance are individualized.

A structured rehabilitation program with a physical therapist guides each stage, within the limits your surgeon sets. The general rehabilitation protocol is available below as a downloadable PDF — be sure to use the one that matches your surgery.

A meniscus root repair follows a more protective rehabilitation plan than a standard repair. Basic early restrictions include toe-touch weight bearing for six weeks and knee motion limited to 0–90 degrees for six weeks. The surgeon's individualized instructions take precedence.

Because the plans differ, there is a separate root-repair protocol below. If you had a root repair, use the root-repair protocol — not the general meniscus-repair one.

The early restrictions after a repair exist to protect the healing tissue — that is the reason bracing, weight-bearing, or motion may be limited for a period of time. After a partial meniscectomy, there is no repair to protect, so the early restrictions are typically fewer and the overall recovery is often quicker.

A faster recovery is not, by itself, a reason to prefer removing tissue. When a tear is suitable for repair, preserving the meniscus is the goal; the difference in restrictions simply reflects that a repair needs time to heal. Which approach fits your situation is decided with your surgeon.

When meniscus repair is performed with ACL reconstruction, cartilage surgery, or another procedure, rehabilitation is adjusted to protect everything treated during the operation.

If you are facing more than one procedure, your surgeon can explain how they fit together and what recovery would generally involve in your specific case.

Like any surgery, meniscus repair carries risks, and no operation guarantees a particular result. Blood clots in the leg are among the risks after this surgery, and your care includes steps to lower that risk. A repair depends on the tissue healing, which does not happen in every case, and outcomes vary from person to person based on the tear, the surgery, the rehabilitation, and individual factors.

A candid conversation about the potential benefits, the risks, and what the recovery asks of you is part of deciding whether repair is right for you. Your surgeon can explain what the specific risks and expectations are in your situation.