Meniscus Repair Surgery Guide

What Is Meniscus Surgery?

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in your knee that acts as a shock absorber between your thighbone and shinbone. Each knee has two menisci. Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries — especially in athletes and people over 40 where the tissue degenerates. Surgery is performed arthroscopically (minimally invasive) through 2-3 small incisions.

Types of Meniscus Surgery

Meniscus Repair: Stitches the torn edges back together. Preserves the meniscus for long-term joint health. Requires 3-6 months recovery with restricted activity. Only possible for tears in the outer third (red zone) with good blood supply.

Partial Meniscectomy: Trims away the damaged portion while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. Most common meniscus surgery. Quick recovery (3-6 weeks). Used for complex tears, inner-zone tears, and degenerative tears.

Meniscus Transplant: Replaces a missing meniscus with donor tissue. Rare — reserved for young patients who have had most of their meniscus removed and develop pain.

Cost of Meniscus Surgery

Meniscus surgery costs $5,000 to $20,000 before insurance. Partial meniscectomy is less expensive than repair. Most insurance plans cover meniscus surgery when confirmed by MRI. Outpatient arthroscopy keeps costs lower than hospital-based surgery.

Recovery

Partial Meniscectomy: Weight bearing immediately, back to desk work in 1 week, light exercise in 3-4 weeks, full activity in 6-8 weeks.

Meniscus Repair: Restricted weight bearing for 4-6 weeks (crutches/brace), no deep squatting for 4-6 months, full activity in 4-6 months. Longer recovery but better long-term protection for your knee.

Frequently Asked Questions