Meniscal Tear Surgery

There is no known medicine or therapy that will heal or fix a torn meniscus. It is a mechanical problem that often requires a mechanical solution. This usually means either partial excision (removal) or repair of the tear. Excision versus repair is often decided at the time of arthroscopic surgery and will depend upon several factors. The patient's age, the age of the tear, the size and location, as well as the patient's activity level all play a role in deciding whether a tear can be repaired or must be excised. In general, due to the essential role of the meniscus in protecting the knee from early arthritis, repair is always preferable to removal.