Meniscal Repair

The menisci are two crescent-shaped discs of thick, springy cartilage that stabilise the knee joint when rotated, and cushion any impact to the joint. The medial meniscus is on the inside of the knee and the and the lateral meniscus on the outside. They are found between your thigh bone (femur) and your shin bone (tibia).

The meniscus can tear when playing sport, heavy lifting, regular squatting or kneeling, or age related wear and tear.

Common symptoms of a torn meniscus include stiffness and swelling, and catching, locking, or buckling of the knee. You may be unable to twist or straighten your knee joint. A consultant can often diagnose a torn meniscus just from a physical examination that will include observing how you walk and squat. An MRI scan will confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Treatment for a torn meniscus often begins conservatively, depending on the type, size and location of your tear, with rest from strenuous or repetitive activity and anti-inflammatories.  If pain persists physiotherapy may be advised to strengthen the muscles around your knee and in your legs to help stabilise and support the knee joint.

If there is no improvement, meniscal repair surgery may be an option. 

One Hatfield Hospital provides fast access to meniscal repair to patients throughout Hertfordshire and further afield.

What does surgery involve?

Surgery will be performed under general anaesthetic and will be performed arthroscopically, whereby a thin tube with a camera on the end (an arthroscope) is inserted through a small incision. Your surgeon will be able to see the torn meniscus, enabling treatment with small surgical instruments inserted through other incisions. Your surgeon will either trim away the torn area, repair the tear, or remove the torn meniscus. This will be determined by the severity of the tear and the lifestyle, age and physical health of the patient. The tear is stitched using small surgical tacks that will absorbed over time. If the tear is severe, a partial or total meniscectomy will be performed to remove part or all of the meniscus.

How long will it take to recover ?

You will be able to go home the same or next day. A physiotherapist will assess you and provide a set of exercises to perform at home help you to regain movement and strengthen in the joint. You will be provided with a knee brace to ensure stability of the knee and crutches for support.

When you return home someone should look after you for the first 48 hours so you can keep your leg elevated to help reduce swelling and pain. In order to get full use of the knee again rehabilitation is key. Certain activities will need to be reduced to avoid strain and to promote the healing of the meniscus. Bending of the knee needs to be limited as it places a lot of stress on the meniscus.

A week or so after the operation your consultant will see you again to review your progress and advise when you can return to driving and work.  As a guide, you may be able to drive after 1 – 2 weeks. If you sit at work you may be able to go back after 1 – 2 weeks, but if you are on your feet at work you will need 4 – 6 weeks. Depending on the extent if the repair, a full recovery and return to sport is expected after 4 – 6 months.

Need Help?

One Hatfield in Hertfordshire provides fast access to meniscal repair with leading consultants. We can book you in to see a specialist orthopaedic knee surgeon for an initial consultation, usually within 48 hours, ensuring that you receive fast and efficient treatment.

Our private hospital is ideally located to carry out meniscal repair for patients living in Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Harpenden, St Albans, Watford, Stevenage, Hertford, and all nearby areas within Hertfordshire and North London.

You can use your private medical insurance or pay for your Meniscal Repair treatment. We offer competitive, fixed price packages. If you are using your health insurance, please contact your insurer first for approval and let them know you’d like to be treated at One Hatfield Hospital.

Why One Hatfield

• Modern purpose-built hospital opened in December 2017
• Fast access to diagnostics including MRI, X-ray and Ultrasound
• Private, spacious, en-suite rooms
• Specialist physiotherapy and nursing teams
• Little or no waiting time
• ‘Ultra clean air’ theatres
• Freshly prepared food
• Calm, dignified experience

Contact us and find out more

If you are based in and around Hertfordshire, St Albans, Stevenage, Watford, North London, Welwyn or Bedfordshire and would like to visit the One Hatfield Hospital please click here.