A Quick Guide to Meniscal Tears

A meniscal tear is one of the most common causes of knee pain, affecting people of all ages—from athletes to those with everyday wear and tear.

In this quick guide, Mr Akash Patel, a highly experienced, double-fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon specialising in hip and knee disorders, explains the key symptoms, diagnosis, and options for meniscus tear treatment London patients can access.

Whether you are considering non-surgical care or exploring private meniscal surgery, understanding your condition is the first step towards effective meniscus tear treatment and a safe return to activity.

What is a meniscal tear?

Your meniscus is like a piece of rubber and is found in between your thigh bone (the femur) and your shin bone (the tibia). It’s a shock absorber in the knee.

The meniscus has multiple different functions, and one of the functions is absorbing load allowing distribution of force through the knee. It also contributes to stability. A meniscal tear is an injury to this structure that can result in pain, clicking, locking, swelling, and catching sensations.

How does a meniscus tear occur?

There are broadly two ways that you can tear your meniscus.

You can tear your meniscus in a traumatic injury where you damage it. This might happen when you twist or turn, or when you’re running or playing any sports.

The second way you can tear your meniscus is through a degenerative problem. As we progress with time, your meniscus may start to wear out and they reduce or lose part of their function and integrity.

Usually, meniscus tears can be either one of these reasons or a combination of both.

What are the treatment options for meniscus tears?

With any orthopaedic problem, there are always two options: non-surgical management and then surgical treatment.

The non-operative, or the non-surgical treatment for a meniscus tear, are options such as like targeted specialist physiotherapy. This is where the physiotherapy helps to build up strength, range of motion, balance around the knee.

You could also modify of activities or changing the way that you do things. This could include anything that exacerbates the pain or the problem such as different types of exercise.

Lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, sleeping properly and keeping an eye on your weight can all help your recovery. This combined with painkillers can be really beneficial.

There is also the option of injections for your meniscus tear. There are various different injections for your knee which are normally temporary measures.

The surgical treatment for meniscal tears can involve either removing the damaged part of the tissue or to repair it. Nowadays, surgeons try to preserve the function of the meniscus by trying to repair the meniscus and restore the function of the cartilage.

What is the recovery process for meniscus tear surgery?

The recovery process for meniscus surgery depends on which treatment you have.

Recovery after meniscus removal surgery

This is usually a day-case procedure, where you will come into hospital in the morning and then be home by the afternoon.

You will receive physiotherapy to help recover. It normally takes approximately two weeks for the scars around the knee to heal and that is when we will take the stitches out

For meniscal removal surgery, which is called a meniscectomy, the recovery process is slightly quicker, so it can take up to six weeks for the pain, the swelling to settle down. It’s important to note this variable and each patient’s recovery time will be different.

Recovery after meniscus repair surgery

This is also normally a day-case procedure so you could expect to be home the same day you have surgery. You should also expect to have your stitches out around week two of recovery after your wounds have healed and to have weekly physiotherapy.

However, for meniscal repairs because we try to protect that joint and we want everything to heal, the recovery process is longer.

We usually place patients in braces for six weeks and then the healing process takes three months. The rehabilitation period can take up to six months to build strength before you return to sports and an active lifestyle.

When should you see a knee consultant for a meniscus injury?

It really depends upon your symptoms and how you’re feeling. It is very important to have your knee checked if:

• If it is painful & swollen
• If it has reduced your function
• If you have clicking and catching in the knee joint
• If these haven’t settled down in a week or so.

When you see a knee consultant, they will assess your knee and recommend scans to understand what has happened.

If you have torn your meniscus then your consultant will discuss a treatment plan as it isn’t always necessary to have an operation. It’s very important to have an appropriate assessment, diagnosis and guidance for treatment for your knee condition to help your recovery.

Why would you recommend coming to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital for Meniscus Tear Surgery?

I would recommend coming to Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth because a few factors, which are so important for patient care:

Firstly, the brand new theatre is state-of-the-art, offering has excellent facilities meaning the processes to help patients into theatres are streamlined.

Secondly, which is really important for patient care, is the team. The nurses, the anaesthetic teams, the physiotherapist and the admin teams work so well together, which is key to giving patients the best care and experience.

Find out more about our Specialist Knee Clinic in London, about Mr Akash Patel or get in contact with us.