Contact number: 020 7806 4010
Contact number: 020 7078 3831
What is Meniscal Surgery?
Meniscal surgery addresses damage to the meniscus, a crescent-shaped cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber. Tears in the meniscus can occur due to sports injuries, trauma, or age-related degeneration, leading to pain, swelling, and limited movement.
There are two main types of meniscal surgery:
- Meniscus Repair: Involves stitching the torn edges of the meniscus together to promote healing.
- Meniscectomy: Involves removing the damaged part of the meniscus when repair is not feasible.
The procedure is often performed arthroscopically, using small incisions and specialised instruments, to minimise recovery time and discomfort.
Meniscal Surgery at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, we offer comprehensive care for meniscal injuries. Our expert surgeons work closely with each patient to determine the best approach for their specific condition, ensuring effective treatment and long-term recovery.
Why choose us for meniscal surgery?
- Specialist Knee Surgeons: Our consultants are highly experienced in arthroscopic procedures and complex knee surgeries.
- Minimally Invasive Techniques: We use advanced arthroscopic methods to reduce recovery time and scarring.
- Modern Facilities: Our hospital is equipped with advanced imaging and surgical technology, enabling our specialists to perform precise diagnoses and deliver effective, tailored treatments for each patient.
- Accessible Location: Conveniently based in NW8, we serve patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6), and the wider London area.
We are committed to helping you regain knee function and reduce pain through personalised and expert care
Medically reviewed by Mr Sujith Konan - MBBS MD(res) MRCS FRCS(Tr&Orth), Honorary Associate Professor (UCLH)
How Much Does Private Meniscal Surgery Cost?
£3,145
The price shown includes all costs associated with your treatment, from admission to discharge.
Doesn’t include surgeon or anaesthetist fee
Our hospital fee is guaranteed at the price quoted and valid for one month from the date issued, subject to pre-assessment.
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Appointment
You will have an initial consultation with a specialist knee surgeon.
Treatment plan
During this appointment, you will go through your medical history, have a knee exam and if needed, be referred for an up-to-date scan (such as X-rays or MRI) of your knee. If surgery is recommended, your doctor will explain the risk and benefits of surgery and what to expect from recovery. Together, you will decide whether meniscus surgery is the best option for you.
Prehab
Your knee needs to be in the best condition possible before surgery, as this will lead to better outcomes. Once your swelling has gone down, you should follow your physiotherapist’s exercise programme.
Pre-assessment
If you decide to go ahead with meniscus surgery, you will need to come in for a pre-assessment, which is a standard ‘fitness for surgery’ check.
Surgery
You will be able to walk the same day with the help of a knee brace or crutches. You should be able to home the same day.
Aftercare
You will need to keep your wound clean and dry, take pain relief and have physiotherapy consistently. You will not be able to fly short haul for six weeks or long-haul for 12 weeks. We have an excellent therapies team at our hospital that can support you throughout your recovery.
Follow-Up
You will have a follow-up appointment with your doctor at two weeks, where any stitches will be removed. You may need further check-ups at 6 weeks and 12 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Meniscal Surgery
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), a well-connected area of North West London. We are conveniently accessible for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6), and beyond.
By Tube:
- St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is just a 5-minute walk from the hospital.
- Finchley Road (NW3) and Kilburn stations (NW6) on the Jubilee Line provide excellent connections.
By Bus:
- By Bus:
Wellington Road: Routes 13, 46, 82, and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station, just a short walk from the hospital.
Circus Road: Routes 46 and 187 stop close to the hospital’s Circus Road entrance.
Abbey Road: Routes 139 and 189 stop near the junction where Grove End Road becomes Abbey Road, providing easy access.
Major Roads:
If you’re travelling from NW3 or NW6, major routes such as Finchley Road or Kilburn High Road offer a direct approach to the hospital.
Our hospital ensures convenient access for patients across London, particularly those in NW8, NW3, and NW6 postcodes.
Meniscal surgery typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the extent of the injury and whether a repair or meniscectomy is performed.
Recovery involves rest, physiotherapy, and gradual weight-bearing activities. Most patients can resume light activities within four to six weeks, while full recovery may take three to six months, depending on the type of surgery.
After 2-3 weeks, you should be able to start walking without crutches/the brace and put more weight on your knee. You should be able to return to office work at this point as well.
From 2 weeks onwards, you should do your physiotherapy exercises regularly as these will help improve your balance, flexibility in your knee, and increase the strength in the surrounding muscles. You should be able to start driving again after 3-4 weeks or once putting weight on your knee feels comfortable.
In the weeks following an operation, patients have a slightly higher risk of a blood clot, so will need to avoid flying. You should wait six weeks before taking a short haul flight (under six hours) and 12 weeks before taking a long-haul flight.
The recovery time for meniscus surgery depends on the type of surgery you had. It takes longer for a meniscus repair than a meniscectomy. Full recovery from meniscus surgery can take anywhere from six weeks to three months.
You will need someone to collect you and stay with you overnight as anaesthetic and sedation can make you feel very tired for around 24 hours. During this time you should not drink alcohol, cook or make important decisions.
If possible, arrange for someone to help you for a couple of weeks post-surgery as well, as your knee will be bruised, swollen and quite painful for 1-2 weeks after surgery. During this time, take your prescribed painkillers, apply a cold wrap to your knee, and keep your leg elevated as much as possible. When moving around use crutches or a knee brace as you should not put too much weight on your knee at this point.
It will take approximately two weeks for your wound to heal, and you should see your doctor at this point for a post-surgery check, where any non-dissolvable stitches will be removed. Dissolvable stitches should disappear on their own after around three weeks.
The procedure is performed under anaesthesia, so there is no pain during surgery. Some post-operative discomfort is normal and can be managed with medication and a structured recovery plan.
Meniscal surgery is recommended for patients with tears causing persistent pain, swelling, or restricted movement, especially if non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy have not been successful.
Symptoms of a tor meniscus include:
• Pain
• Stiffness or swelling round your knee. This could start hours or days after your injury
• Your knee keeps giving way or feels like it’s going to
• A crunching or clicking sensation in your knee when you move
• Difficulty bending, straightening or moving your knee