Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Meniscus Tear

Dr. Richard Cunningham, M.D. of Vail Summit Orthopaedics in Vail, Colorado, explains how he repairs a torn meniscus. The meniscus is a cartilage cushion, which rests between the bones of the knee and acts as a shock absorber. Meniscus tears are often repaired arthroscopically. Patients can either tear their medial (inside of the knee) or lateral (outside of the knee) meniscus. Medial meniscus tears are much more common than lateral meniscus tears. Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear Patients typically experience well-localized pain, popping or catching. Squatting usually increases the pain. There is often minimal swelling present. Unlike bone or muscle, meniscus tissue has very poor blood supply. As such it has a very low healing potential. Most patients tear along the thin, inner rim of the meniscus where there is no blood supply. These tears cannot be repaired.