Dr Puah Ken Lee 潘健理
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Shoulder, Elbow & Sports Injuries
Practising at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore
Appointments by prior arrangement
Dr Puah Ken Lee 潘健理
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Shoulder, Elbow & Sports Injuries
Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Singapore
✔ Subspecialty Focus in Shoulder & Elbow, Sports Injuries
✔ Practising at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital
✔ Evidence-based treatment, Individualised Care
What Is a Meniscus Repair?
A meniscus repair is an arthroscopic (keyhole) procedure that repairs a torn meniscus rather than removing it.
Whenever appropriate, preserving the meniscus is generally preferred because it plays an important role in protecting the knee joint. Repairing the meniscus aims to restore its function, reduce pain and help preserve long-term knee health.
Not every meniscus tear can be repaired. The decision depends on the type, location and quality of the tear, as well as the patient’s age, activity level and associated knee injuries.
What Is the Meniscus?
The knee contains two menisci:
- Medial meniscus (inner side)
- Lateral meniscus (outer side)
These crescent-shaped structures act as shock absorbers between the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone).
The menisci help to:
- Distribute load across the knee
- Absorb shock
- Improve joint stability
- Protect the articular cartilage
- Reduce contact stress within the knee
Loss of meniscal tissue may increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis over time.
Why Repair the Meniscus Instead of Removing It?
Whenever possible, preserving the meniscus is preferred.
Compared with removing the torn portion (partial meniscectomy), successful meniscus repair may:
- Preserve more normal knee function
- Maintain shock absorption
- Protect joint cartilage
- Reduce long-term wear of the knee
- Lower the risk of osteoarthritis
However, repair is only appropriate when the tear has a reasonable chance of healing.
| Meniscus Repair | Partial Meniscectomy | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Preserve the meniscus | Remove the damaged portion |
| Suitable for every tear | ✗ No | ✓ More commonly |
| Recovery | Longer | Shorter |
| Weight-bearing restrictions | Often required | Usually fewer |
| Return to sport | Approximately 4–6 months* | Approximately 4–8 weeks* |
| Long-term preservation of knee | Better when healing is successful | Less meniscal tissue remains |
*Recovery varies depending on the tear pattern, associated procedures (such as ACL reconstruction) and individual rehabilitation progress.
Why Not Every Meniscus Tear Should Be Repaired
Although preserving the meniscus is generally preferred, repairing every tear is not always the best option.
A repair that has a very low chance of healing may result in persistent symptoms or require further surgery.
For this reason, the aim is not simply to repair every meniscus tear, but to recommend the treatment that provides the best balance between healing potential, knee function and long-term joint preservation.
Whenever possible, preserving the meniscus is preferred. However, when a tear is unlikely to heal despite repair, other treatment options may be more appropriate.
Which Meniscus Tears Can Be Repaired?
Several factors influence whether repair is possible.
Repair is generally more successful when the tear is:
- Located near the outer edge of the meniscus, where the blood supply is better
- A longitudinal or vertical tear
- Relatively recent
- Associated with an ACL injury requiring reconstruction
- In healthy meniscal tissue
The final decision is often made during arthroscopic surgery after directly inspecting the tear.
Which Tears May Not Be Suitable for Repair?
Some tears are unlikely to heal even if repaired.
These may include:
- Complex tears
- Degenerative tears
- Severely damaged meniscal tissue
- Certain radial tears
- Tears with poor tissue quality
In these situations, alternative treatment may be more appropriate.
Meniscus Repair During ACL Reconstruction
Meniscus tears commonly occur together with ACL injuries.
When possible, repairing the meniscus at the time of ACL reconstruction may improve healing because the biological environment within the knee is more favourable.
This is one reason why preserving the meniscus is often considered during ACL surgery.
How Is Meniscus Repair Performed?
Meniscus repair is performed using arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery.
Small incisions are made around the knee to insert:
- A camera (arthroscope)
- Fine surgical instruments
- Specialised meniscus repair devices
The torn meniscus is carefully repaired using techniques appropriate for the tear pattern.
The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia.
What Happens If the Tear Cannot Be Repaired?
Occasionally, a meniscus appears repairable on MRI but is found to be unsuitable for repair during surgery.
If this occurs, your surgeon may recommend:
- Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (removal of the damaged portion)
- Continued non-operative treatment (in selected cases)
The decision is made based on preserving as much healthy meniscal tissue as possible.
Recovery After Meniscus Repair
Recovery after meniscus repair is generally slower than after partial meniscectomy because the repaired tissue requires time to heal.
Rehabilitation may include:
- Temporary use of crutches
- Restricted weight-bearing (depending on the repair)
- A knee brace in selected cases
- Physiotherapy
- Progressive strengthening exercises
The rehabilitation programme is tailored to the location and type of repair performed.
Returning to Sport
Return to sport depends on:
- The type of tear
- Healing of the repair
- Muscle strength
- Knee movement
- Sport-specific rehabilitation
Many patients return to pivoting sports approximately 4 to 6 months after an isolated meniscus repair, although recovery varies depending on the individual and any associated procedures such as ACL reconstruction.
What Are the Risks of Meniscus Repair?
As with any surgical procedure, risks include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Stiffness
- Persistent pain
- Failure of the repair to heal
- Recurrent meniscus tear
Your surgeon will discuss these risks in the context of your individual situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is meniscus repair better than meniscus removal?
Whenever the tear is suitable for repair, preserving the meniscus is generally preferred because it helps protect the knee over the long term.
Can every meniscus tear be repaired?
No. The decision depends on the tear pattern, location, tissue quality and the likelihood of successful healing.
Is meniscus repair more painful?
Recovery is usually longer than after partial meniscectomy because the repaired tissue needs time to heal. Pain varies between individuals.
When can I drive?
This depends on which knee was operated on, your mobility, strength and ability to perform an emergency stop safely.
Can the meniscus tear again?
Yes. Although many repairs heal successfully, there remains a risk of recurrent tearing, particularly after another significant knee injury.
Why Choose Dr Puah Ken Lee?
Dr Puah Ken Lee is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon with a subspecialty interest in shoulder, elbow and sports injuries.
He believes in preserving the meniscus whenever appropriate, recognising its important role in protecting the knee joint and maintaining long-term function.
Every patient receives an individualised assessment to determine whether meniscus repair, non-operative treatment or another procedure is the most appropriate option.
Related Pages
You may also find these pages helpful:
- Meniscus Tear Singapore
- ACL Reconstruction Singapore
- ACL vs Meniscus Tear
- ACL Rehabilitation Timeline
- Sports Knee Injuries
- Knee Arthroscopy
- Loose Body in the Knee
Arrange a Consultation
If you have been diagnosed with a meniscus tear or continue to experience knee pain, locking or instability after a sporting injury, an assessment can help determine whether meniscus repair is appropriate.
Dr Puah Ken Lee provides comprehensive evaluation and arthroscopic treatment of meniscus injuries, with the aim of preserving healthy meniscal tissue whenever possible and helping patients return safely to their normal activities and sport.
Dr Puah is regularly invited to teach knee arthroscopy
Book a consultation or contact the clinic via WhatsApp to get started
Book a consultation at 360 Orthopaedics, Mount Elizabeth Novena
ACL and meniscus tears are common but treatable. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can improve outcomes and prevent long-term problems.
Dr Puah Ken Lee is an orthopaedic surgeon in Singapore specialising in shoulder, elbow and sports injuries at 360 Orthopaedics, Mount Elizabeth Novena. Patients with instability, locking or pain in the knee after a sports injury are encouraged to seek specialist evaluation.