Meniscectomy

If a tear is not repairable, the surgeon will remove the damaged meniscus tissue.  This is called a meniscectomy, and it is a procedure that is done much more frequently than a meniscus repair.  Approximately 85% of all meniscus procedures have been partial meniscectomies.

This approach is necessary if the tear involves areas of the meniscus that are unable to heal, for example if there is no blood supply to the area or if the tear is too frayed and cannot be sewn back together.  Depending on the size and location of the tear, the surgeon may do a partial or complete meniscectomy.

As the name implies, during a partial meniscectomy the surgeon removes only the damaged segment(s) of the meniscus.  Depending on the specific situation this may involve anything from minor trimming of the meniscus edge to removing most of the structure.  In all cases the surgeon will try to leave as much normal or healthy meniscus tissue as possible based on the theory that the less tissue is removed, the less degeneration will develop or continue.

Removing an entire meniscus, either the medial or lateral, is called a complete meniscectomy.  If the tear is too large, or if it cuts across the entire meniscus, there may be no alternative.  Fortunately only a very small percentage of patients undergo a complete meniscectomy compared to the number who get a partial meniscectomy.

Once the meniscus is removed it is likely the knee joint will further degenerate and the patient may develop osteoarthritis or other conditions that require subsequent surgery.