Arthroscopic meniscus repair restores torn meniscal tissue using suture fixation that allows the meniscus to heal. The procedure prioritizes preserving meniscus tissue over removing it because meniscus loss accelerates cartilage wear and increases the risk of future arthritis. Dr. Chudik repairs meniscus tears whenever the tear pattern, location, and tissue quality allow.
What Is Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair?
The meniscus is the wedge-shaped cartilage pad between the femur and tibia. Each knee has a medial and lateral meniscus, both critical for distributing load, absorbing shock, and contributing to stability. Meniscus loss leads to higher contact stresses on the underlying cartilage and accelerates the development of arthritis.
Arthroscopic meniscus repair reattaches torn meniscal tissue using sutures placed through small portals. The sutures are tied to bring the torn edges back together, allowing healing under the protected post-operative protocol.
Repair is the preferred treatment when:
- The tear is in the vascular outer one-third of the meniscus (the red zone)
- The tissue quality is good
- The tear pattern is amenable to suture fixation (longitudinal vertical tears, bucket-handle tears, peripheral tears)
- The patient is young and active enough to justify the longer recovery in exchange for tissue preservation
For tears in the avascular inner zone or with severely degenerated tissue, partial meniscectomy is performed instead.
Who Is a Candidate?
Candidates for meniscus repair typically have:
- A symptomatic meniscus tear documented on MRI
- Tear pattern and location amenable to repair
- Active patient willing to undergo the protected recovery
- Failure of non-surgical treatment when applicable
- Concomitant ACL injury (associated meniscus tears are repaired at ACL reconstruction whenever possible)
Patients with degenerative tears in older lower-demand patients are often better served by partial meniscectomy or non-surgical management.
How the Procedure Is Performed
The procedure is performed arthroscopically through standard portals. The torn meniscus is identified and assessed for tear pattern, location, and tissue quality. The decision between repair and trim is made at this point based on intraoperative findings.
For repair, the torn edges are prepared with a small rasp to stimulate healing. Sutures are passed through the meniscus using one of several techniques:
- Inside-out: sutures passed from inside the joint and tied outside through a small accessory incision
- Outside-in: sutures passed from outside the joint to inside
- All-inside: sutures secured entirely through the arthroscopic portals using specialized devices
The choice depends on tear location and surgeon preference. Multiple sutures are placed to stably approximate the torn edges.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery is more protected than partial meniscectomy because the meniscus needs time to heal:
- Brace and protected weight-bearing for four to six weeks (depending on tear pattern)
- Range of motion exercises within safe limits during the healing phase
- Progressive weight-bearing and strengthening from six weeks
- Return to non-cutting activity at three to four months
- Return to pivoting sport at four to six months
Risks and Outcomes
Risks include failure of the repair to heal (10 to 15 percent in standard cases), stiffness, infection, and persistent symptoms. Healing is more reliable in younger patients, in the vascular zone of the meniscus, and when concomitant ACL reconstruction is performed.
Long-term, meniscus repair preserves the meniscus and reduces the risk of arthritis compared to removal, which is the primary reason it is preferred when the tear allows.
Why Dr. Chudik for Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair
Dr. Chudik’s approach prioritizes meniscus preservation. His evaluation of every meniscus tear includes assessment for repairability, with repair performed whenever the tear pattern, location, and tissue quality allow. His high case volume and arthroscopic experience produce consistent outcomes across the spectrum of meniscus pathology.