Meniscus Repair: Horn, Body and Root Tears
Overview
Meniscus repair is used when a torn meniscus has healing potential and preserving the tissue is important for long-term knee function. Repair is different from meniscus debridement because the torn tissue is sutured rather than trimmed away.
The meniscus can tear through the body, anterior horn, posterior horn, or anterior and posterior root attachments. Horn and body tears may be repairable depending on tear pattern, location and tissue quality. Root tears are particularly important because they can stop the meniscus from distributing load properly, behaving almost like a loss of meniscus function.
Who may benefit from meniscus repair?
Patients may benefit if they have an acute repairable tear, a tear in a vascular zone, a displaced (bucket handle) tear, a tear associated with ligament injury, or a meniscus root tear. Suitability depends on age, activity level, alignment, arthritis, tear chronicity and tissue quality.
What does the procedure involve?
The knee is inspected arthroscopically. Horn and body tears are repaired using all-inside or inside-out suture techniques depending on tear location and stability. Meniscus root repair usually involves reattaching the torn root back to bone using sutures passed through a small bone tunnel.
The aim is to preserve meniscus tissue and restore its stabilising and load-sharing role within the knee.
Recovery after meniscus repair
Recovery is more protective than after meniscus debridement. The repaired tissue needs time to heal, so weight-bearing, knee bending and return to impact activity may be restricted early. Root repairs are often the most protective because the repair must heal back to bone.
Rehabilitation protocol
You will receive a protocol matched to the type of repair, including body/horn repair or root repair pathways.
FAQs
Why repair a meniscus instead of trimming it?
Repair preserves meniscus tissue and may better protect the knee over time when the tear has healing potential.
What is a meniscus root tear?
It is a tear at the bony attachment of the meniscus. It can significantly reduce the meniscus' ability to share load across the knee.
Is recovery longer after meniscus repair?
Yes. Repair usually requires more protection than debridement because the tissue needs time to heal.
Will I need crutches after repair?
Often yes, particularly after root repair. The exact weight-bearing plan depends on the repair type.
Can all meniscus tears be repaired?
No. Repair depends on tear pattern, location, tissue quality, blood supply and the amount of arthritis in the knee.
Book or Refer Today
For a repairable meniscus tear, displaced tear or suspected root tear, book a consultation to discuss meniscus preservation and rehabilitation.
Reconstructive Orthopaedics Melbourne (ROM)
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