Surgery for a meniscus tear

Is surgery right for a meniscus tear?

Hearing the word “surgery” can feel scary, especially when your knee hurts with everyday things like stairs, squatting, or getting up from a chair. The good news is that many meniscus tears, especially age-related (degenerative) tears, improve with exercise-based rehabilitation and time. Surgery is not automatically the next step for everyone.¹ ²

Surgery may be considered when:

• Your knee truly locks, meaning you cannot fully straighten it, which can happen with a displaced tear such as a bucket-handle tear.³ ⁴
• Symptoms strongly limit daily life and do not improve after a solid rehab plan, often several weeks to a few months, depending on your situation.² ⁴
• The tear is likely repairable, which is more common in certain traumatic tears, especially in healthier meniscus tissue.² ⁵
• Your doctor is concerned about a specific tear type, such as some meniscus root tears, where meniscus function can be significantly affected.⁵ ⁶

A helpful way to think about it is that deciding on surgery should be a shared decision between you and a clinician who understands your goals, your activity needs, your exam findings, and what your imaging shows. The right choice is the one that best fits your knee and your life.¹ ²

Common surgical options for a meniscus tear

Here are the procedures people most often hear about:

• Meniscus repairDesigned to stitch and preserve the meniscus, rather than remove it.Often discussed for traumatic tears in tissue with better healing potential, when the tear pattern and location make repair possible.² ⁵
• Arthroscopic partial meniscectomyDesigned to remove the torn, unstable portion of the meniscus and smooth the edges.For degenerative meniscus tears, high-quality studies show it often does not improve outcomes more than structured exercise-based care, so it is generally discouraged unless there is a clear reason.¹ ⁴ ⁷
• Meniscus root repairDesigned to reattach the meniscus root when it has pulled away from bone, to restore the meniscus’ ability to handle load.May be considered in selected cases, depending on alignment, cartilage health, and the overall picture.⁶ ⁸

What to expect during recovery

Recovery depends on the procedure, your overall knee health, including arthritis, and how strong and active you were before surgery.

Right after surgery: Swelling and soreness are common.You may need crutches for a period of time, especially after a repair or root repair.⁵ ⁹

The first weeks: Rehabilitation usually focuses on calming swelling, regaining motion, and gently rebuilding strength.After meniscus repair, your surgeon may limit bending depth or weight bearing early on to protect the repair, though protocols vary.⁹ ¹⁰

The next few months: Strength, balance, and control become the focus, especially for stairs, squatting, and returning to sport or higher-demand activities.Return-to-running and return-to-sport timelines vary widely, and many clinicians use a criteria-based approach rather than a fixed date.⁹ ¹⁰

Risks and downsides to know about: Even though arthroscopy is common, it still carries risks such as infection or blood clots, and some people have incomplete relief if pain is coming from arthritis or other joint changes.¹ ¹¹Some people may also need future procedures, depending on the tear type and overall knee health.⁶ ⁸

Can surgery be avoided?

For many people, yes.

For degenerative meniscus tears, multiple randomized studies show that exercise-based physical therapy can work as well as arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for pain and function over the long term. That is why many guidelines recommend starting with active, nonsurgical care unless there is true locking or another clear surgical reason.¹ ⁴ ⁷

Conservative care usually includes:

• Education about what helps and what irritates the knee
• Strength and control exercises for the thigh, hip, and calf
• A gradual return to activity with smart load management⁴ ¹²

If access, time, or consistency is hard, digital programs can help people follow a structured rehab plan at home and stay engaged over time.¹³

[Physical Therapy for meniscus tear →]

How Sword can support you before and after surgery

Physical therapy can play an important role in preparing for surgery, supporting recovery, and, in some cases, helping people manage symptoms without surgery. Sword offers physical therapy programs designed to support you at different points along that journey.

Sword supports recovery before and after surgery, with care designed to fit into your life. You receive high-quality physical therapy at home, guided by licensed clinicians and supported by smart technology.

• Care that adapts as your body and recovery needs change
• Licensed physical therapists guiding your care at every stage
• Non-invasive, evidence-based physical therapy programs

Support for preparation, recovery, and long-term movement health

Clinical insight

Guidelines make a strong recommendation against routine arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee disease. Average benefits are small and short-lived, while risks and costs still exist. This is why movement and strengthening are usually recommended first unless there is another clear surgical indication.¹