Meniscectomy (meniscus tear surgery) at Brighton Hospital

What is a meniscectomy?

A meniscectomy is a type of knee surgery used to treat a torn meniscus - a piece of elastic cartilage that cushions and stabilises the knee joint. This procedure involves removing the damaged part of the meniscus to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and improve knee movement so your joint doesn’t feel like it is ‘catching’. It is usually performed using keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery, which is minimally invasive, is done as a day case procedure and results in a quicker recovery.

There are two types of meniscectomy, a partial and a total version.

Partial: Your surgeon will try to preserve as much of the healthy meniscus as possible and remove only the damaged part.
Total: This is nowadays a very rare procedure in which the whole meniscus is removed from your knee joint. However, this removes the whole of the shock absorber cushioning for your knee and increases the risks of osteoarthritis significantly more compared to a partial meniscectomy and results in a much longer recovery time.

Why choose Nuffield Health Brighton for your meniscectomy?

At Nuffield Health Brighton Hospital, our expert orthopaedic surgeons specialise in a range of orthopaedic treatments. If you want rapid access to meniscectomy treatment without the wait, we are here to help.

Learn more about orthopaedic surgery at Nuffield Health Brighton

How do I book an appointment at Nuffield Health Brighton?

Click below to choose a consultant and book an initial appointment on a day and time that suits you.

Book your consultation

Is a meniscectomy right for me?

A meniscectomy may be recommended if you have a meniscus tear that is causing pain, swelling, or restricted movement and has not improved with rest, physiotherapy, or other non-surgical treatments. It’s more common in people whose tears are not suitable for repair, such as complex or degenerative tears, and may be particularly helpful for those who live a more physically active lifestyle.

What happens during meniscus tear surgery at Nuffield Health Brighton?

Preparing for a meniscectomy

You will have a pre-assessment appointment before your meniscectomy with your consultant and healthcare team.

They will review your medical history and may ask you to complete some diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and blood tests.

Be sure to:

• Let your doctor know about any medication you take. They will let you know if you should continue or temporarily stop any medicines before and after your surgery.
• Let your doctor and healthcare team know about any conditions you have such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Follow any instructions for fasting before your surgery (usually no food or drink for several hours before your surgery).

These preparations will help to reduce risks and ensure the knee is in the best possible condition for a smooth surgery.

Find out more about the pre-assessment appointment.

Step by step of your meniscectomy surgery

1. Preparation: You will be given either a general or local (spinal) anaesthetic, and your knee will be positioned in order to give your surgeon maximum joint space to work with.
2. Assessing the damage: Your surgeon will create two to three 8mm incisions and insert a small camera (arthroscope) in order to assess how much of the meniscus will need to be removed.
3. Removal of damaged tissue: The damaged section of your meniscus will then be removed using specially designed arthroscopic instruments before the edges are smoothed in order to prevent further tears or irritation.
4. Closure: Once your surgeon is happy, they will close and dress the incisions ready for your recovery.

The procedure typically takes less than half an hour and you can usually go home the same day.

Recovery from meniscus tear surgery

Recovery varies depending on your overall health and the extent of the tear. Most people can walk immediately after surgery, though occasionally, you may need crutches temporarily. Your hospital team will give you physiotherapy exercises for after your surgery to help rebuild strength and mobility. A full recovery can take several weeks. Recovery, including reteurn to sports, is usually significantly quicker following a medial meniscectomy (on the inside of the knee), compared to a lateral meniscectomy (on the outside of the knee).

What are the benefits of meniscus tear surgery?

The main benefit of meniscus tear surgery is to improve your quality of life by reducing any pain or mechanical symptoms such as excessive clicking or even locking that the damaged meniscus has been causing and regaining better movement within the knee joint.

Other benefits include:

• Strengthening: If you have been suffering with a meniscus tear for a while, the surrounding muscles may have weakened - this procedure will allow you to use the knee more normally again and therefore regain strength to your knee and muscles.
• Quicker recovery: As this procedure is minimally invasive, it means your recovery will be a lot quicker, the risk of complications is minimised and you will not have to manage any pain or discomfort going forward.

How long do the benefits of a meniscectomy last?

The benefits of a meniscectomy can be felt almost immediately, with less pain and the restoration of your knee’s movement.

The results can be long-lasting as well, especially if your recovery is good and your knee is well cared for post-surgery.

However, it can depend on a number of factors:

• The size of the tear removed - the more meniscus that is removed, the harder the rest has to work for shock absorption in your knee
• Muscle strength - Strengthening the muscles around the knee can be an added support for the joint and help with shock absorption
• Recovery - It is important to follow your surgeon and physiotherapist’s advice in order to give yourself the best chance of a long-lasting recovery.
• Activity levels - Higher impact sports or exercise such as long-distance running may wear down your joint faster than more low-impact activities such as swimming.

However, removing any part of the meniscus may increase the risk of developing arthritis in the joint over time.

What are the risks of a meniscectomy?

Possible side effects following meniscus tear surgery

All surgery carries some risks, including infection, blood clots, bleeding into the knee and issues with anaesthesia. Specific to meniscectomy, there’s also a risk of ongoing pain, stiffness, or reduced knee function in some cases, although this is rare.

Common side effects include swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort around the knee. These usually settle within a few days. You might also experience temporary stiffness or weakness.

Potential complications of meniscus tear surgery

Though uncommon, complications can include infection, excessive bleeding, nerve damage, or continued knee problems. Following post-op care instructions helps minimise these risks. As the meniscus acts as a shock absorber for your knee joint, removing part of it could accelerate the onset of arthritis.

Alternatives to meniscus tear surgery

A menistectomy will only be advised if non-surgical alternatives have been tried and not been successful. These include:

• Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE)
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Physiotherapy
• Meniscus repair - In certain cases, your surgeon may consider repairing it instead by stitching any tears. This will depend on the size and location of the tear, and the age of the patient.

How much does a meniscectomy cost at Nuffield Health Brighton?

Please note that the guide price stated is an approximate cost of treatment only. You will be given a fixed all-inclusive price for treatment following your initial consultation with a consultant.