German Board Certified FIFA Diploma DKG AGA GOTS
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Yousef Muhammad — Orthopaedic SurgeonPhone +966 11 522 2222
Procedure Guide

Meniscus Repair

Save the meniscus. Protect the knee for decades.

Wherever a tear has the biology to heal, the meniscus is stitched back together rather than removed — because preserving it is the single best protection against later arthritis.

Meniscus Repair video placeholder3D Animation (1:06)Watch how a meniscus repair is performed
17+YEARS ORTHOPAEDIC EXPERIENCE
10,000+SUCCESSFUL PROCEDURES · KNEE & SHOULDER
German BoardCERTIFIED ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON
DKG · AGA · GOTSCERTIFIED SPECIALIST
FIFA DiplomaFOOTBALL MEDICINE
Learn about the procedure

Watch. Understand. Feel Confident.

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Meniscus Repair — 3D Animation

See how the procedure is performed step-by-step in this animation.

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All-Inside Repair Technique (Real Footage)

For medical professionals: the surgical technique of a meniscus repair, step by step.

For Medical Professionals
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Recovery After Meniscus Repair

Why repair rehabilitation is more protected than after a meniscectomy, week by week.

Minimally Invasive
Day Care Surgery
45–75 Minutes
Joint Preserving

Surgical Steps (Overview)

1
Tear Assessment

The tear pattern, location and blood supply are evaluated arthroscopically.

2
Preparation

Tear edges are freshened and the surrounding tissue stimulated to heal.

3
Suture Placement

All-inside, inside-out or outside-in sutures are placed across the tear.

4
Reduction & Tension

The meniscus is reduced anatomically and the sutures tensioned.

5
Stability Check

The repair is probed and the knee moved through full range.

Recovery Timeline (Step by Step)

Week 1–2Protected weight bearing · Swelling control · Motion within limits
Week 3–6Progressive weight bearing · Flexion increased gradually · No deep squats
Week 6–12Full motion · Strength work · Cycling and swimming
Month 3–4Running progression · Sport-specific drills
Month 4–6Return to pivoting sport and deep loading*
Overview

The meniscus is the shock absorber of the knee. Removing part of it relieves pain quickly but increases load on the cartilage — and with it the long-term risk of arthritis. Repair aims for a durable joint, not just a quick fix.

Not every tear can be repaired: healing depends on blood supply, tear pattern, tissue quality and your age and activity. When repair is possible, it is almost always worth the more protected recovery.

Is meniscus repair right for you?
  • A meniscus tear in the vascular, well-supplied zone
  • Younger or active patients with good tissue quality
  • Tears occurring together with an ACL injury
  • Locking or a displaced tear needing reduction
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Preparing for surgery
  • MRI reviewThe tear pattern decides repair versus trimming — we discuss both
  • Understand the rehabRepair means a slower, protected recovery; plan for it
  • Crutches and braceArrange these before the day of surgery
  • Home preparationIce, elevation and a plan for the first week

Every millimetre of meniscus you keep is protection you will still feel in twenty years. I repair whenever the biology allows it, and I would rather ask a patient for six patient months than take tissue we can never give back.

Dr. Yousef Muhammad
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Yousef Muhammad

Questions & Answers

Repair or removal — how is it decided?
Location and blood supply decide. Tears in the outer, well-vascularised zone can heal; central tears with poor supply often cannot and are trimmed minimally instead.
Why is recovery slower than after a meniscectomy?
Sutures need biology and time. Protecting the repair for the first weeks is what allows it to heal — and that protection is exactly what makes it durable.
Can the repair fail?
Yes, in a minority of cases the tear does not heal and further surgery is needed. Following the rehabilitation protocol is the strongest predictor of success.
When can I kneel or squat deeply?
Deep flexion under load is avoided for roughly three months, then reintroduced gradually.
Will I get arthritis anyway?
A healed meniscus significantly lowers the risk compared with removal, though it cannot eliminate it — particularly if cartilage was already damaged.
Is it done at the same time as ACL surgery?
Frequently. The combination heals well, because ACL reconstruction creates a favourable biological environment for the repair.

Note: This information is for general education only and should not replace a consultation with your doctor.

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