What is Meniscectomy

Meniscectomy is usually present with a sporting injury and the patient may complain of inability to fully straighten the knee (locking) or may complain of giving way. Often patients will have been sent for physiotherapy following their injury but the knee will have remained swollen and they continue with a limp and are unable to return to sport.

The Operation

There are two methods for meniscectomy, arthroscopy and the open technique called arthrotomy, which is rarely used today.

Arthroscopy: A small incision is made into the knee, and a fibreoptic instrument used to view the surgical area is inserted into this incision. The Surgeon makes another incision through which to insert small instruments to either repair (sew back together using tiny stitches) or remove the damaged meniscus.

Whenever possible, the Surgeon will remove only the damaged portion of cartilage, rather than all of the cartilage. A drain may be inserted through an additional incision, to drain away fluid. The incisions are closed with stitches, which are usually removed one week later.

Open meniscectomy / arthrotomy: A larger incision is made, which exposes the interior of the knee. This involves cutting through more skin and muscle than for an arthroscopy, and generally results in a longer recovery period. This technique is usually reserved for more complicated situations, such as associated bone fracture or ligament damage.