Meniscal surgery

What is the meniscus?

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in your knee that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia).
Each knee has two menisci, one on the inside (medial) and one on the outside (lateral).
These structures help stabilise the joint, distribute weight and reduce friction during movement.

What causes a meniscus tear?

A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries. It can occur due to:

• Sudden twisting or pivoting motions (common in sports)
• Deep squatting or heavy lifting
• Age-related wear and tear (degenerative tears)

You may experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, catching, locking, or difficulty straightening the knee.

Meniscal surgery is usually performed arthroscopically (keyhole surgery) and may involve:

1. Meniscectomy
The damaged portion of the meniscus is trimmed and removed. This is common for tears that cannot be repaired and provides rapid pain relief and functional improvement.

2. Meniscal Repair
The torn edges are stitched together to allow healing. This is typically done for younger patients or when the tear is located in a well-vascularised area of the meniscus.

Dr Blackmore will recommend the most appropriate option based on the type, location and severity of the tear.