Understand Meniscus Surgery, its types, and how it treats knee injuries. Learn about the knee meniscus and clinical definitions of common tears at Liv Hospital.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Overview and Definition
Meniscus Surgery is a common orthopaedic procedure performed to repair or remove a piece of torn cartilage in the knee. The knee meniscus consists of two C-shaped wedges of fibrocartilage—the medial and lateral meniscus—that act as shock absorbers between your thighbone and shinbone. When this tissue is damaged, surgical intervention is often necessary to restore mechanical stability and prevent the onset of early arthritis.
A torn meniscus is one of the most frequent knee injuries, often occurring during sports or activities that involve forceful twisting or pivoting. In the medical field, a meniscus tear is classified by its location and pattern. While some minor tears can be managed conservatively, a ruptured meniscus of the knee often requires a surgical approach to “clean up” the frayed edges or suture the tissue back together.
Modern surgery of meniscus tear is almost exclusively performed using minimally invasive arthroscopy. During this procedure, a surgeon at Liv Hospital uses a tiny camera and specialized instruments to either perform a “meniscectomy” (removing the damaged portion) or a “meniscus repair” (stitching the tear). Preserving as much of the original knee meniscus as possible is always the primary goal to maintain the joint’s natural cushioning.
Injury and Causes
A meniscus tear can happen to anyone, but the mechanism of injury usually involves a sudden twist or turn while the foot is planted. In older adults, the knee meniscus can undergo degenerative changes, making it more susceptible to a ruptured meniscus of the knee even during simple daily movements like squatting or getting out of a car.
The pattern of the injury determines the complexity of the Meniscus Surgery. A lateral meniscus tear occurs on the outside of the knee and is frequently seen alongside ACL injuries. A more severe variation is the bucket handle meniscus tear, where a large portion of the cartilage pulls away and flips into the center of the joint, often “locking” the knee so it cannot be straightened.
Recognizing meniscus tear symptoms is the first step toward diagnosis. Patients often report a “pop” at the moment of injury, followed by:
Diagnosis and Imaging
Before recommending Meniscus Surgery, a specialist performs a physical exam using provocative tests like the McMurray test. The doctor will rotate your leg while extending the knee to feel for a “click” or pain along the joint line. This helps identify the location of the meniscus tear and assesses the overall stability of the ligaments.
While X-rays are used to rule out fractures or bone spurs, they cannot see the knee meniscus. An MRI is the gold standard for visualizing a torn meniscus. It provides a detailed 3D view of the soft tissues, allowing the surgeon to see the exact shape of a bucket handle meniscus tear or a complex lateral meniscus tear before the surgery begins.
If imaging is inconclusive but torn meniscus symptoms persist, a surgeon may suggest a diagnostic arthroscopy. This is the most accurate way to evaluate a ruptured meniscus of the knee, as it allows the doctor to physically touch the tissue with a probe to check for hidden instability or fraying that an MRI might have missed.
Treatment and Recovery
During Meniscus Surgery, the patient is usually under regional or general anesthesia. Through two or three small incisions, the surgeon uses arthroscopic tools to address the meniscus tear. If the tissue is trimmed (meniscectomy), the recovery is fast. If it is repaired (sutured), the patient must be more cautious to allow the “biological weld” to strengthen.
The meniscus tear recovery time depends heavily on the type of procedure performed. A simple trimming typically allows for walking within days and a return to sports in 4 to 6 weeks. However, a repair for a bucket handle meniscus tear requires a longer period of protection—often 6 months—to ensure the repaired tissue does not fail under high-impact stress.
After surgery of meniscus tear, the initial focus is on controlling swelling and regaining a full range of motion. We often utilize specialized knee braces for meniscus injuries that lock the knee in a straight position or limit the “bend” during the early weeks of healing. This protection is vital for the success of a complex lateral meniscus tear repair.
Rehabilitation Tips
Successful Meniscus Surgery is only half the battle; the other half is a disciplined rehabilitation program. Strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings is essential to take the pressure off the knee meniscus and provide the stability needed for daily activities.
Liv Hospital is a center of excellence for sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Our world-class surgeons are experts in complex Meniscus Surgery, utilizing the latest techniques for meniscus preservation. We provide a seamless care path from advanced MRI diagnostics to specialized physical therapy tailored to your goals. Whether you are an elite athlete or simply want to walk without pain, we are dedicated to your recovery. We encourage you to reach out and call Liv Hospital to begin your journey toward a stronger, pain-free knee.
Liv Hospital Ulus
Assoc. Prof. MD. Gökhan Kürşat Kara
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ulus
Assoc. Prof. MD. Gürkan Gümüşsuyu
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ulus
Assoc. Prof. MD. Kadir Abul
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ulus
Op. MD. İsmail Tugay Yağcı
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ulus
Prof. MD. Ramazan Erden Ertürer
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ulus
Prof. MD. Uğur Haklar
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Vadistanbul
Prof. MD. Süleyman Semih Dedeoğlu
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Vadistanbul
Prof. MD. Yunus İmren
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Vadistanbul
Prof. MD. İsmail Demirkale
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Vadistanbul
Spec. MD. Gail Gasimov
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Assoc. Prof. MD. Birhan Oktaş
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Assoc. Prof. MD. Kaya Turan
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Op. MD. Hüsrev Purisa
Hand and Microsurgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Op. MD. İlker Sezer
Hand and Microsurgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Prof. MD. Ersin Kuyucu
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Spec. MD. Ahmet Şadi Kılınç
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Spec. MD. Mustafa Özçamdallı
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir
Spec. MD. Yavuz Şahbat
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Topkapı
Assoc. Prof. MD. Alper Köksal
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Topkapı
Assoc. Prof. MD. Kadir İlker Yıldız
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Topkapı
Assoc. Prof. MD. Samet Erinç
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Topkapı
Op. MD. Nikola Azar
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ankara
Assoc. Prof. MD. Tuğrul Yıldırım
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ankara
Assoc. Prof. MD. Ali Erhan Özdemirel
Rheumatology (Physical Therapy)
Liv Hospital Ankara
Assoc. Prof. MD. Özgür Kaya
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ankara
Asst. Prof. MD. Yunus Demirtaş
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ankara
Op. MD. Murat Bozbek
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ankara
Prof. MD. Ali Biçimoğlu
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Ankara
Prof. MD. Levent Çelebi
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Gaziantep
MD. Mehmet Emre Hanay
Orthopedics and Traumatology
Liv Hospital Gaziantep
Op. MD. Ferit Yücel
Orthopedics and Traumatology
Liv Hospital Samsun
Op. MD. Barış Özgürol
Orthopedic Surgery
Liv Hospital Samsun
Op. MD. Metehan Saraçoğlu
Orthopedics and Traumatology
Liv Bona Dea Hospital Bakü
Spec. MD. İsmayıl Meherremli
Orthopedics and Traumatology
Liv Bona Dea Hospital Bakü
Spec. MD. Şehriyar Fetullayev
Orthopedics and Traumatology
Assoc. Prof. MD. Bülent Karslıoğlu
Orthopedic Surgery
Assoc. Prof. MD. Engin Çetin
Orthopedic Surgery
Assoc. Prof. MD. Turan Bilge Kızkapan
Orthopedic Surgery
Prof. MD. Oğuz Cebesoy
Orthopedic Surgery
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
The meniscus is made of fibrocartilage. This is a very tough, dense type of cartilage that contains a high percentage of collagen fibers. It is much stronger and more rubbery than the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones, allowing it to withstand heavy compression and twisting forces.
Most meniscus tears don’t heal on their own due to the inner tissue’s lack of blood supply. Small tears on the outer edge might heal with rest, but larger tears or those in the middle of the meniscus usually require surgical intervention or removal.
While all surgery carries risks, arthroscopic meniscus surgery is considered a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. It does not involve large incisions or long hospital stays. Most patients go home the same day. However, the rehabilitation required, especially for a repair, can be significant.
A typical partial meniscectomy takes about 30 to 45 minutes. A meniscus repair takes longer, usually between 60 and 90 minutes, because of the complexity of placing stitches inside the tight space of the knee joint.
You will likely not be fully awake. Most meniscus surgeries are done under general anesthesia (where you are asleep) or regional anesthesia (where you are numb from the waist down and given sedation to sleep). You will not feel any pain during the procedure.
BlogMeniscus SurgeryFeb 13, 2026Recover from combined ACL and meniscus tears with expert care and proven treatments. Learn about the latest...
BlogMeniscus SurgeryNov 04, 2025Navigating knee scope surgery recovery: Our guide covers the timeline, what to expect, and essential tips f...
BlogMeniscus SurgeryFeb 19, 2026A torn meniscus can lead to painful complications. Learn why treating a torn meniscus is essential for main...
BlogMeniscus SurgeryNov 04, 2025Get insights into the typical length of a knee arthroscopy and the post-operative recovery process at our w...
BlogMeniscus SurgeryNov 04, 2025Explore the average duration of arthroscopic knee surgery and learn about the recovery process. Get answers...
BlogMeniscus SurgeryNov 04, 2025A knee injury can really hurt your life, affecting how you move and feel. Did you know that knee ligament i...
Get instant answers from our medical team. No forms, no waiting — just tap below to start chatting now.
Start Chat on WhatsApp or call us at +90 530 174 26 75