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Meniscectomy surgery
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MENISCECTOMY SURGERY AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we’re trusted by our patients. Our satisfaction report shows 97% of our orthopaedic patients are likely to recommended us to their friends and family.
We offer fast access to our orthopaedic consultants and state-of-the-art diagnostic technology in our hospitals across London, Cheshire and Birmingham. Our knee specialists will provide you with an accurate diagnosis and use the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat a torn meniscus and get you on the path to a quick recovery.
We offer fast access to our orthopaedic consultants and state-of-the-art diagnostic technology in our hospitals across London, Cheshire and Birmingham. Our knee specialists will provide you with an accurate diagnosis and use the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat a torn meniscus and get you on the path to a quick recovery.
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that protects the knee joint from movement and shock. It can become damaged by a sudden twisting movement or impact to your knee. The collagen of the meniscus can also wear down over time, leading the meniscus to become thinner, more brittle and prone to tearing. Each knee has two menisci: lateral on the outside and medial on the inside.
The outer third of the meniscus has a blood supply and is known as the ‘red zone’. Injuries to this part of the meniscus may heal on their own, although it’s rare for tears to only happen in this area.
The rest of the meniscus has little or no blood supply and is called the ‘white zone’. If this area is damaged, it’s unlikely to heal by itself.
The outer third of the meniscus has a blood supply and is known as the ‘red zone’. Injuries to this part of the meniscus may heal on their own, although it’s rare for tears to only happen in this area.
The rest of the meniscus has little or no blood supply and is called the ‘white zone’. If this area is damaged, it’s unlikely to heal by itself.
Typical symptoms of a tear include:
- Sharp knee pain or tenderness
- Swelling around your knee joint
- Instability in your knee joint, causing it to buckle and give way
- A popping or locking sensation in your knee
Meniscal tears are categorised in different ways based on the location and nature of the tear. Some types such as incomplete tears, which occur over time, are unlikely to need surgery, whereas types that can eventually require meniscectomy surgery include:
- Radial tear: More common on the inner part of cartilage, your medial meniscus, starting from the centre of it and extending out
- Horizontal tear: Running from the top to the bottom of the cartilage's C-shape
- Bucket-handle tear: A crescent-shaped cut that forms in the cartilage, in some cases causing loose cartilage to get lodged in the knee joint
- Oblique tear: Often known as a 'flap' tear, it’s characterised by a catching sensation due to creating flaps in the meniscus, which become irritated by movement in your knee joint
- Complex tear: A combination of multiple tear types, which can increase their severity
Meniscectomy surgery removes damaged meniscus cartilage in your knee to help reduce pain and swelling and improve your mobility. It's typically performed as an arthroscopic (keyhole) procedure, a minimally invasive technique that offers a faster and less painful recovery.
A surgeon uses tiny tools and a camera known as an arthroscope to see inside your knee and remove the damaged cartilage, preserving as much healthy cartilage as possible before closing the incision. This is known as a partial meniscectomy.
In less severe cases, a surgeon could repair a tear with sutures, while for larger tears they may have to remove the whole meniscus, though this is less common. Your surgeon will assess your tear and factors such as your age, activity levels and pain to judge which method is most appropriate.
A surgeon uses tiny tools and a camera known as an arthroscope to see inside your knee and remove the damaged cartilage, preserving as much healthy cartilage as possible before closing the incision. This is known as a partial meniscectomy.
In less severe cases, a surgeon could repair a tear with sutures, while for larger tears they may have to remove the whole meniscus, though this is less common. Your surgeon will assess your tear and factors such as your age, activity levels and pain to judge which method is most appropriate.
You can tear your meniscus at any age. It's a common, painful injury that can be caused by sudden trauma, such as heavy lifting, twists and collisions in sports, or degenerative wear. Degenerative tears are more common in older patients as your menisci weaken with age.
Your orthopaedic consultant will discuss whether surgery is the best option for you. You may be recommended a knee meniscectomy if your tear is significant, the symptoms are limiting your daily life, and non-surgical treatments have limited impact.
However, your consultant may suggest trying non-surgical solutions first, such as resting your knee, applying ice to reduce pain and swelling, physiotherapy and pain medication.
Your orthopaedic consultant will discuss whether surgery is the best option for you. You may be recommended a knee meniscectomy if your tear is significant, the symptoms are limiting your daily life, and non-surgical treatments have limited impact.
However, your consultant may suggest trying non-surgical solutions first, such as resting your knee, applying ice to reduce pain and swelling, physiotherapy and pain medication.
No.1
in London for private orthopaedic care
10
specialist orthopaedic fields offering personalised treatment
97%
of our patients are likely to recommend us to family and friends
Fast access to specialists
appointments bookable online or by phone
Expert orthopaedic treatments
from specialist knee consultants
State-of-the-art diagnostics
with results in as little as 48 hours
Meniscectomy surgery
What to expect
From the moment you arrive, until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable and reassured as possible.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage of your meniscus repair.
If you have any questions about your knee treatment that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
One of the ways we can put you at ease is to let you know what to expect at each stage of your meniscus repair.
If you have any questions about your knee treatment that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred or have a referral from your GP, the first step is always an initial consultation with one of our knee specialists.
At this appointment, your consultant will ask about your medical history, examine your knee and arrange any necessary scans.
02
Tests and scans
At HCA UK, you’ll have access to the UK’s more comprehensive private diagnostics network. All our tests and scans are carried out in our state-of-the-art facilities by our expert teams.
Your consultant may refer you to have an MRI scan. This will let your consultant view your knee in more detail so they can make a diagnosis and decide whether treatment or surgery is the best option for you.
If you need surgery, your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have.
03
Surgery
Meniscectomy surgery a minimally invasive (keyhole) procedure that’s carried out under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will insert a tiny camera called an arthroscope and specialised surgical instruments into small cuts around your knee.
The arthroscope sends live images to a monitor to let your surgeon see the area in close detail. They can then remove or repair the damaged area of cartilage. They may inject fluid into your knee to clean the area, expand the joint and improve their view.
The part and amount of cartilage they target will depend on your condition. For example:
- A partial medial meniscectomy targets damage to your medial meniscus on the inside edge of your knee.
- A partial lateral meniscectomy targets damage to your lateral meniscus on the outside edge of your knee.
- A total meniscectomy removes your whole meniscus.
Once complete, your surgeon will close the incision with stitches or surgical strips and the surgical team will dress it. The operation usually takes less than an hour, after which you'll be moved to another room to recover as the anaesthesia wears off.
04
Post surgery
You'll be given painkillers to help minimise any discomfort immediately after surgery. You should be able to go home on the same day as your procedure, but you'll need to arrange to be collected from the hospital as you won’t be able to drive.
Once you’re home, you should apply ice to your knee and keep your leg elevated when sitting to help reduce pain and swelling. You'll need to use crutches for several days to keep weight off your knee. Our physiotherapy team will give you exercises to strengthen your knee and help improve your mobility as you recover.
You'll also be told how to care for your surgical wound – for example, changing the dressing – and when you should return for a check up about your progress.
Locations
Choose from our modern hospitals in London, Birmingham and Cheshire for your meniscectomy surgery.
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2TQ Birmingham
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what treatments you’re paying for.
Find out more
Meniscectomy surgery FAQs
Meniscectomy surgery aims to remove or, where possible, repair any damaged meniscus cartilage in your knee. Your consultant will discuss likely outcomes with you before you decide to go ahead. The key benefits are:
- Reducing or eliminating your knee pain
- Restoring your knee's range of motion and eliminating any locking sensation
- Improving your stability
- Getting you back to your everyday activities, including exercise and sport
Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work, driving and exercise. Recovery timelines are always personal based on factors such as the type of meniscectomy (partial or total), severity of your injury and your overall health, plus your job type and level of activity.
Full recovery can take from six weeks to three months. Generally, many people can return to:
Full recovery can take from six weeks to three months. Generally, many people can return to:
- Light household activities and non-strenuous work after two to three days
- Exercise and sports after four to eight weeks
Everyone’s recovery is different and your consultant will be able to advise you on when you can drive. In most cases, you should be able to drive one or two weeks after the procedure, once you have a full range of motion and can perform an emergency stop.
The alternatives to arthroscopic meniscectomy surgery are typically non-surgical treatments. Your GP or orthopaedic consultant may recommend trying one or more of these first, depending on how severe your condition is. Your options may include:
The severity and location of your tear could also make open surgery necessary instead of arthroscopic surgery. This is a more invasive procedure involving a larger incision in your knee, usually with a hospital stay and longer recovery afterwards.
- Resting, icing and elevating your knee, and avoiding activities that involve twisting or lifting heavy weight
- Taking pain and anti-inflammatory medication to ease your discomfort and swelling
- Performing physical therapy exercises to strengthen the muscles around your knee
The severity and location of your tear could also make open surgery necessary instead of arthroscopic surgery. This is a more invasive procedure involving a larger incision in your knee, usually with a hospital stay and longer recovery afterwards.
Our patients’ stories
Sarah-Jane’s return from knee injury
It was when she slipped on the dancefloor at an office party that 38-year-old Sarah-Jane finally realised something wasn’t right with her knee. A keen skateboarder and tennis player, Sarah-Jane had always led an active lifestyle, but never thought much about injuries.
Decades of pain, resolved in weeks
Now 46, Mike had been struggling with knee problems since he tore his right ACL during a football match at the age of 19.
Hana's recovery: Roaring back from a serious knee injury
Hana was a fearsome player on the pitch, but her commitment came at a price. In 2018 she tore her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and was seen by Mr Simon Thompson. He helped her get back to playing at a competitive level and Hana got to wear the England jersey she’d dreamed of. So, when she then suffered a meniscal tear in 2020, she knew who she was going to see.
“ With hindsight, I should have dealt with my knee problems a long time ago. I’d say to anyone else in my position that if you’re not sure about anything, you should seek the help of a specialist.”
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.