Meniscectomy For A Meniscus Tear

Surgery Overview

Meniscectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of a torn meniscus. A meniscus tear is a common knee joint injury. Surgeons who perform meniscectomies (orthopedic surgeons) will make surgical decisions based on the meniscus's ability to heal as well as your age, health, and activity level.

Your doctor will suggest the treatment that will likely work best for you based on where the tear is, the pattern of the tear, and how big it is. In some cases, the surgeon makes the final decision during surgery, when the surgeon can see the how strong the meniscus is, where the tear is, and how big the tear is.

Meniscus surgery is usually done as arthroscopic surgery. Your doctor uses a lighted tube called an arthroscope, or scope. The doctor puts the scope and other surgical tools through small cuts in your knee.