A meniscectomy is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of a damaged meniscus, the C-shaped piece of cartilage that cushions the space between your thighbone and shinbone. Each knee has two menisci, one on the inner side and one on the outer side, and they act as shock absorbers during movement. When a meniscus tears and can’t be repaired, a meniscectomy trims away or removes the damaged tissue to relieve pain, catching, and locking in the joint. The surgery is performed arthroscopically, typically takes less than an hour, and most people return to normal activities within four to six weeks.
Partial vs. Total Meniscectomy
Surgeons strongly prefer to preserve as much meniscal tissue as possible, so the vast majority of meniscectomies are partial. In a partial meniscectomy, only the torn or frayed portions of the meniscus are trimmed away using small instruments inserted through tiny incisions. The healthy, stable tissue stays intact and continues to cushion the joint.
A total meniscectomy, where the entire meniscus is removed, is reserved for cases where the damage is too widespread to leave anything functional behind. This is far less common today because removing the whole meniscus significantly increases stress on the joint surface over time.
When a Meniscectomy Is Recommended
Not every meniscus tear needs surgery. The decision depends on the type of tear, its location, and your age. Meniscal tissue has good blood supply near the outer edge but almost none toward the center. Tears in that inner, avascular zone are unlikely to heal on their own or with a surgical repair, making them better candidates for trimming.
Radial tears in the central zone, macerated (shredded) tears, and tears that failed a prior repair attempt are the most common reasons for meniscectomy. Horizontal tears in people over 50 are usually classified as degenerative rather than traumatic, and the evidence here is more nuanced. Outcomes after meniscectomy for degenerative tears tend to be less favorable than for acute, traumatic tears. For that reason, nonsurgical management (physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification) is generally recommended as the first approach for degenerative meniscal tears. Surgery enters the picture when those conservative measures haven’t provided adequate relief after several weeks or months.
What Happens During the Procedure
A meniscectomy is performed arthroscopically, meaning the surgeon works through two or three small incisions (portals) rather than opening the knee. You’ll lie on your back with the ability to bend your knee. A thin camera called an arthroscope goes in through one portal, and surgical instruments go through the others. Fluid is pumped into the joint to expand the space and improve visibility.
The surgeon first examines the entire inside of the knee, checking the cartilage surfaces, ligaments, and both menisci. Once the tear is confirmed, specialized cutting and grasping tools trim the damaged tissue back to a stable rim. The joint is then flushed and the small incisions are closed, often with just a stitch or two and adhesive strips. The whole procedure usually wraps up in under an hour, and most people go home the same day.
Recovery Timeline After Partial Meniscectomy
Recovery from a partial meniscectomy is relatively quick compared to many knee surgeries. You can typically put full weight on the leg right away, though crutches for the first few days help with comfort. During the first two weeks, the focus is on managing swelling with ice, elevation, and gentle range-of-motion exercises.
By weeks two to four, most people are walking comfortably, riding a stationary bike, and handling light daily activities. Return to sports or physically demanding work generally happens between four and six weeks. Activity restrictions are minimal once you’ve regained full range of motion and your quadriceps strength is back to normal. Total meniscectomy recovery can take longer depending on how much tissue was removed and how the joint responds.
Risks and Complications
Arthroscopic meniscectomy is considered low-risk. Overall complication rates fall between roughly 1.5% and 1.8%. The most common issues are joint bleeding (hemarthrosis), infection, blood clots, and occasional instrument breakage during the procedure. Nerve injury is a more significant concern with meniscal repairs than with simple trimming, but damage to nearby nerves or blood vessels is still possible, though rare.
Short-term stiffness and swelling are normal parts of recovery and not considered true complications. Persistent pain or swelling beyond a few weeks can signal that additional cartilage damage was present or that the remaining meniscal rim has re-torn.
Long-Term Impact on the Knee
This is the trade-off every meniscectomy patient should understand. Removing meniscal tissue, even a small amount, changes how force is distributed across the joint. Over time, this increases the risk of osteoarthritis in the operated knee. A large study following over 834,000 patients who had arthroscopic partial meniscectomy found that 13.5% went on to need a knee replacement within 15 years. The risk was nearly three times higher in the operated knee compared to the opposite knee in the same patient.
Women faced a notably higher rate: 22% underwent knee replacement within 15 years, compared to about 10% of men. These numbers don’t mean a knee replacement is inevitable, but they underscore why surgeons try to preserve or repair meniscal tissue whenever possible and why degenerative tears are often managed without surgery first.
Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping the muscles around your knee strong are the most effective ways to protect the joint after meniscectomy. Physical therapy in the weeks following surgery builds a foundation, but the long-term benefit comes from continuing those strengthening habits on your own.