Many meniscus tears, particularly degenerative tears in older athletes, can undergo a trial of nonoperative treatment before considering surgery.
These treatments include rest, activity modification, oral or topical anti-inflammatory medications, a compression sleeve, corticosteroid (cortisone) injection, and physical therapy.
If nonoperative treatment fails to relieve symptoms, surgery is often necessary to repair the
meniscus or to remove a portion of it, depending on how it is torn.
Most traumatic tears, especially those in younger patients, and tears that occur with other ligament injuries will need surgery. Some tears can be repaired, or sewn back together; some tears that usually cannot heal are trimmed to prevent the torn portions from grinding against the protective layer of articular cartilage.
Your surgeon will make every effort to preserve as much of the meniscus as possible in order to maintain maximum cushioning function and to keep the knee as stable as possible.
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Patient guide