Meniscus Tear

One of the most common sports injuries, a meniscal tear, can be treated arthroscopically—that is, without an open incision—through two small portals, each approximately one centimeter in length. This approach ensures minimal postoperative pain, faster recovery, and a quicker return to daily activities.

The meniscus is a crescent-shaped piece of cartilage whose primary function is to absorb shock within the knee joint. In this way, it contributes to joint stabilization and helps maintain smooth and coordinated knee movements.

A meniscal tear refers to an injury of this cartilage and usually occurs when the foot remains fixed on the ground while the body twists—most often during sports activities, although it is not limited exclusively to such situations.

Meniscal injuries are not always the same and may vary in severity. A tear can be partial, meaning there is a limited or incomplete “split” in the cartilage, or complete, where the tear is more extensive. More severe injuries (complete tears) may sometimes be accompanied by additional damage, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.

In such cases, both injuries can be treated surgically at the same time. Meniscal tears are also classified according to their morphology and the specific meniscal zone involved (that is, whether the injury occurs in an area with sufficient or insufficient blood supply). Areas of the meniscus with increased blood flow tend to heal more easily compared to regions with poor vascularization.

In younger individuals, trauma is the most common cause of a meniscal tear. In this age group, meniscal injuries usually occur during sports activities—for example, during a football (soccer) or basketball game—when the foot becomes fixed on the ground while the body twists, placing excessive stress on the knee joint.

For this reason, proper warm-up before exercise helps protect the joints from injury. However, a meniscal tear can also occur in older individuals due to degeneration and the resulting loss of elasticity of the cartilage, even during relatively minor or everyday movements.

The primary symptoms of a meniscal tear are pain and swelling, which may appear up to 24 hours after the injury. As a result, walking becomes difficult, and additional pain may be experienced during knee bending or twisting movements.

In some cases, a loose fragment of cartilage may become trapped within the knee joint, preventing full extension of the leg. This “locking” sensation is often caused by a displaced portion of the meniscus. Finally, a generalized feeling of instability is another symptom that may indicate a partial or complete meniscal tear.

Most minor meniscal injuries heal with conservative management, which includes rest, physiotherapy, and ice therapy. Surgical intervention is recommended in cases where conservative treatment is insufficient and the patient does not show clear signs of improvement over an extended period of time.

Some mild meniscal tears may present with no symptoms at all and can heal on their own. Other, less severe or uncomplicated tears are treated conservatively, especially if the knee remains stable and does not lock. These tears are often located in the outer portion of the meniscus and may vary in intensity and duration. Patients who do not experience pain, do not exhibit clinical symptoms of a tear, and do not have mobility issues in the knee will most likely not require surgical intervention.

In more serious injuries, however, a meniscal tear cannot heal on its own due to the limited blood supply to certain areas of the meniscus. If conservative treatment fails to produce results after a reasonable period of time, surgical management becomes necessary.

The diagnosis of a meniscal tear begins with a detailed medical history and a clinical examination by the treating physician. Imaging studies are then performed to determine the extent and severity of the injury. Since the meniscus is a soft tissue structure, it is not visible on a standard X-ray. For this reason, the diagnosis is confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which provides a complete and clear view of the extent of the damage.

Knee arthroscopy is the most widely performed procedure for the surgical treatment of a traumatic meniscal tear.

During the operation, a miniature camera—known as an arthroscope—is inserted through a very small incision measuring approximately 0.5–1 centimeter in diameter, allowing the surgeon to clearly visualize the interior of the knee on a large monitor. The main part of the procedure is carried out using specialized instruments that are introduced into the injured joint through additional small incisions made around the area of the lesion.

Surgical techniques include meniscectomy (removal of the damaged portion of the meniscus) and meniscal repair (suturing of the meniscus), whenever feasible—that is, when there is adequate blood supply. Meniscal removal may be partial (partial meniscectomy) or total. In a partial meniscectomy, only the damaged portion of the tissue is removed, while the healthy meniscal tissue is preserved and stabilized.

The sooner the diagnosis and surgical intervention are performed, the greater the portion of healthy meniscus that can be preserved. This contributes to better knee support and, consequently, a reduction in the overall recovery time for the patient.

During arthroscopic meniscal repair, the torn meniscus is sutured according to the extent of the tear, allowing the structure to be preserved rather than removed.

Another therapeutic approach for the management of a meniscal tear is the injection of stem cells or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In these treatments, stem cells or specially processed plasma (with a high concentration of platelets) derived from the patient’s own body are injected into the injured joint.

Stem cells have the ability to regenerate and differentiate—that is, to transform into other cell types—thereby contributing to the natural healing of the tear. Meniscal treatment with stem cells derived from adipose (fat) tissue is performed under local anesthesia in the physician’s office. During the procedure, 40–80 cc of fat is harvested from the abdominal area. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF), which contains a high concentration of stem cells, is then isolated from the adipose tissue, quantified, and injected into the injured joint.

Platelet-rich plasma, on the other hand, contains therapeutic components derived from the patient’s own blood that enhance the body’s natural healing capacity, leading to a shorter postoperative recovery period. Intra-articular PRP injection is considered a safe and reliable procedure.

Patients may experience some pain immediately after the procedure, which can persist for a few weeks—this is completely normal. With arthroscopic repair of a meniscal tear, postoperative pain is minimized and can be effectively managed with the administration of analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications.

The time required to achieve full recovery after surgery depends on the nature of the injury, the patient’s physical condition, and the extent of the surgical intervention on the meniscus.

Repair of a meniscal tear is associated with a longer recovery period, including avoidance of excessive strain and the use of crutches for walking (approximately four to six weeks), as this time is necessary for proper biological healing of the tissue. In cases where part or all of the meniscus is removed, the recovery time is shorter and may be limited to just a few days. Activities such as driving can usually be resumed about one week after the procedure.

After successful surgical repair of a meniscal tear, full recovery typically requires an average of four to eight weeks. However, several additional months of physiotherapy, ice therapy, and rehabilitation may be necessary to ensure that the recovering joint has regained the strength and stability required for safe return to athletic activity without the risk of re-injury. A re-injury must be avoided at all costs, as the healing period following a second injury may be longer and more demanding compared to the initial one.

Most patients are able to walk with crutches immediately after the procedure. Many return to their normal daily activities on average within 6 to 8 weeks following surgery. Although most sports are permitted once postoperative pain has subsided, swimming is not recommended until the surgical wound has completely healed and only with the approval of the treating physician. This precaution is necessary in order to prevent possible infections and additional complications.

Exercises that contribute to the recovery of a meniscal tear include stretching exercises, isometric exercises, knee flexion and extension movements, and strengthening exercises targeting the quadriceps muscle.

It should be emphasized that these exercises must be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist and with the guidance of the orthopedic surgeon.

The cost of meniscal tear repair varies depending on the severity of the injury and the therapeutic approach recommended for each patient. This is determined following the evaluation and guidance of the treating physician, who develops a fully personalized treatment plan for every case.

The total cost of the procedure includes the materials used during surgery, the surgeon’s and medical team’s fees, as well as hospitalization expenses. Patients covered by private insurance are reimbursed according to the terms and conditions of their insurance policies.

Contact us to jointly design a treatment plan that meets both your medical goals and your financial capabilities.