Knee arthroscopy for a meniscal tear is a day-case procedure performed through two small incisions. Recovery depends on whether the meniscus is repaired or partially removed.
ℹ️ For most knee arthroscopies performed under general anaesthetic, a routine pre-operative health check is performed.
Knee arthroscopy takes approximately 30-60 minutes under general or regional anaesthetic. Most patients go home the same day. After meniscal repair, crutches are required for 4-6 weeks; after meniscectomy, weight-bearing is usually immediate.
Routine pre-operative assessment. Blood-thinning medications may need to be paused.
You cannot drive home after general anaesthetic. Arrange a lift.
If meniscal repair is planned, you will need crutches for 4-6 weeks. Arrange these in advance.
Arthroscopy for degenerative meniscal tears should only be offered after at least 3 months of supervised physiotherapy has not provided adequate relief. If you have not completed physiotherapy, discuss this with your surgeon.
ℹ️ You will be given a specific arrival time. Do not eat or drink (other than clear water up to 2 hours before) from midnight the night before. Bring your medication list and any documents sent by the hospital.
You will be admitted to the ward or day surgery unit, change into a gown, and be seen by the nursing, anaesthetic, and surgical teams before theatre.
Your surgeon will confirm the procedure, mark the operative side, and you will sign a consent form before going to theatre.
You will meet the anaesthetist in the anaesthetic room. Once anaesthesia is established, the procedure will begin.
After surgery you will wake in the recovery room where nurses monitor your vital signs until you are stable and comfortable.
Most patients having arthroscopic or day-case procedures go home on the day of surgery. Those having joint replacement typically stay 1–2 nights. Before discharge, the team will check your pain is controlled, give you wound care instructions, and confirm your follow-up appointment.
You will be given oral pain relief before discharge. Take it regularly for the first 48 hours rather than waiting until pain is severe.
A nurse will check the wound before you leave and explain how to keep it clean and dry.
You will receive a letter for your GP and details of your next outpatient appointment - usually at 2 weeks for a wound check.
Arrange for a family member or friend to collect you. You must not drive on the day of surgery if you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation.
⚠️ Important: If you develop increasing knee pain, fever, or wound discharge after arthroscopy, contact your surgical team promptly. Infection after knee arthroscopy is rare but requires prompt treatment.
Avoid getting the wound wet until it is fully healed - usually 10–14 days. Use a waterproof cover or cling film when showering.
Do not wait until pain is severe before taking medication. Regular simple analgesia (paracetamol, ibuprofen if appropriate) is more effective.
This is usually 2 weeks after surgery. Sutures or clips will be removed if used.
Seek urgent advice if you develop increasing redness, warmth, swelling, discharge from the wound, or a temperature above 38°C - these may indicate infection.
30-60 minutes in theatre. Home same day in most cases.
Walk immediately after meniscectomy. Wound check and stitches at 10-14 days. Return to work 1-2 weeks.
Crutches for 4-6 weeks after repair to protect healing meniscus. Range of motion restricted initially.
Swimming and cycling from 4-6 weeks (meniscectomy) or 8-12 weeks (repair).
Pivoting sport at 3-4 months after meniscectomy, 5-6 months after repair.
Repair stitches the torn meniscus back together, preserving it. Meniscectomy removes the torn part. Repair is preferred in young patients as it preserves the meniscus and reduces the risk of future arthritis, but requires a longer recovery with crutches.
After meniscectomy: 1-2 weeks (left knee) or 3-4 weeks (right knee). After meniscal repair: 4-6 weeks when off crutches and with adequate strength.
After repair, the healed meniscus can re-tear, particularly if protective precautions are not followed in the early recovery period. After meniscectomy, the remaining meniscus continues to be at risk of further tearing.
For acute traumatic tears requiring surgery: restoration of normal knee mechanics and relief of locking, pain, and swelling. For meniscal repair: preservation of the meniscus and reduction of future arthritis risk. For partial meniscectomy: rapid relief of mechanical symptoms.
Under general or regional anaesthetic, two small portals are made around the knee. The knee is inspected. Meniscal repair: sutures are passed through the torn meniscus and tied either inside the joint or through the skin. The patient is on crutches for 4-6 weeks to allow healing. Partial meniscectomy: the unstable, torn portion of the meniscus is trimmed with arthroscopic scissors. The patient bears weight immediately. Takes 30-60 minutes.
For degenerative tears in adults over 35-40, multiple high-quality RCTs (ESCAPE, METEOR, FIDELITY) demonstrate that physiotherapy produces equivalent outcomes to arthroscopy at 12-24 months. Physiotherapy should be the standard first-line treatment for degenerative tears.
Removal of the unstable torn portion for acute tears causing locking or mechanical symptoms that have failed conservative management.
Preferred for acute tears in the vascular zone in young patients. Longer recovery but preserves the meniscus and reduces arthritis risk.
Many meniscal tears (particularly degenerative) may be managed with activity modification and analgesics without formal physiotherapy or surgery.
Joint infection (septic arthritis) is rare after knee arthroscopy but is a serious complication requiring further surgery.
Blood clot in the leg veins. Risk is low after knee arthroscopy but elevated with meniscal repair requiring crutches.
The repaired meniscus can re-tear, particularly if precautions are not followed during healing.
Some patients continue to have knee pain despite technically successful meniscectomy. This is particularly common in patients with degenerative tears and coexisting arthritis.
Partial meniscectomy is associated with an increased risk of knee osteoarthritis over the following 10-20 years. This risk is reduced by meniscal repair and preservation.
Expected after knee arthroscopy. Usually settles within 2-3 weeks.
The knee is stiff after arthroscopy. Physiotherapy helps restore movement.
For degenerative meniscal tears, RCT evidence supports physiotherapy as equally effective as surgery. Surgery should not be offered as first-line treatment for degenerative tears. For acute locked knees or reparable tears in young patients, surgery provides faster and more reliable relief of mechanical symptoms.