Is Knee Arthroscopy Right for Your Meniscus Tear?

Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries across all age groups. They are often linked to intense physical activity in younger, active individuals and to wear and tear in older adults.  The meniscus is a disc of fibrocartilage that acts as a shock absorber that runs around the inner and outer edge of the knee.

For decades, treating a torn meniscus involved open-knee surgery, often leaving a large scar across your knee and a prolonged recovery time. While effective, this approach led to more muscle trauma, more bleeding, more scarring, and more pain after surgery. The hospital stay was longer as well.

Knee arthroscopy doesn’t involve large incisions or significant damage to surrounding tissues. It’s a highly effective way to either remove or repair damaged tissue in the meniscus.

Want to learn more about repairing a meniscus tear? Our expert, Dr. Thomas Kane III, shares how arthroscopic surgery works, its benefits, and who is a good candidate.

How arthroscopy is used to repair or resect a meniscus tear

With the help of a tiny camera, Dr. Kane guides specialized tools inside the joint, allowing him to see the tissues clearly on a screen and make precise movements.

Depending on the location of the meniscus tear, Dr. Kane will either remove the damaged tissue or suture the torn edges back together. The location is crucial—some areas of the meniscus lack a blood supply and cannot heal on their own. These areas are typically removed. 

However, tears in areas with good blood flow can be repaired, as the body can deliver oxygen and nutrients to support healing.

Recovery after a knee arthroscopy

The recovery process following knee arthroscopy is  shorter and more comfortable than that of open-knee surgery. Patients return home the same day. With a knee arthroscopy, you can expect:

• Less pain, as incisions are smaller
• Reduced scarring
• Reduced risk of infections 
• Reduced risk for bleeding 
• Faster recovery, with most patients starting physical therapy almost immediately
• Quicker return to everyday activities

All of these benefits come without compromising the quality of the repair. In fact, the camera and high-resolution visuals allow Dr. Kane to perform highly precise movements during surgery.

Who is a good candidate for knee arthroscopy

Good candidates for meniscus tear surgery are those who suffer from persistent pain, stiffness, “catching”, or instability that doesn’t improve with time, rest, or conservative treatments.  Many times patients can’t recall actually injuring their knee, unlike more dramatic injuries like ACL tears

If you're experiencing knee pain or suspect a meniscus tear and are unsure about the next step, contact us to schedule an appointment and learn more about your surgical options. Dr. Kane will examine you and let you know whether you are a good candidate for minimally invasive surgery or if another route may work best to manage your symptoms. An expert physical exam and an MRI will confirm or rule out a torn meniscus.