At a glance
Meniscus repair is a surgical procedure that stitches a torn meniscus back together so the knee can absorb shock and move normally again. The meniscus is a C-shaped pad of cartilage (tough, rubbery tissue) that sits between the thigh bone and the shin bone in each knee. There are two in every knee, one on the inner side and one on the outer side, and they act like cushions that spread your body weight evenly across the joint.
During the repair, a surgeon sews the torn edges of the meniscus together rather than removing the damaged tissue. Keeping the meniscus intact protects the knee from early wear and reduces the chance of developing osteoarthritis (joint damage caused by cartilage breaking down over time) later in life. The repair is usually done arthroscopically, meaning the surgeon works through two or three small cuts using a tiny camera and slender instruments.
Medical Condition
Meniscus repair is considered when the tear is in a location that has a good blood supply, which gives the tissue a realistic chance of healing after being stitched. Tears that happen during sports or sudden twisting movements in younger, active patients are the most common candidates. A doctor will look at the size, pattern, and position of the tear on MRI (magnetic resonance imaging, a scan that shows soft tissue in detail) before deciding whether repair or removal is the better option.
- Acute (sudden) meniscus tears from sports injuries, falls, or twisting the knee while the foot is planted
- Tears in the outer one-third of the meniscus, where blood flow is strongest
- Bucket-handle tears, a type of large longitudinal tear where a flap of meniscus flips into the joint and locks the knee
- Tears in patients whose overall knee cartilage is still in good condition
- Meniscus tears combined with an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is also being surgically repaired at the same time
Repair is usually not suitable in certain situations. The surgeon may instead choose to trim the damaged tissue, a procedure called a partial meniscectomy (partial removal of the meniscus).
- Tears in the inner two-thirds of the meniscus, where blood supply is poor and healing is unlikely
- Degenerative tears (wear-and-tear damage that builds up over years) rather than acute injuries
- Patients with significant osteoarthritis in the same knee
- Complex, fragmented tears where the tissue cannot be reassembled
- Patients who are unlikely to follow the long rehabilitation required after repair
Risks & Complications
Meniscus repair is generally safe, but like any knee surgery it carries recognised risks that a patient should understand before consenting.
- Failure of the repair to heal, which may require a second surgery to trim the meniscus instead
- Knee pain or stiffness that persists beyond the expected recovery period
- Infection at the surgical site or inside the joint (septic arthritis)
- Deep vein thrombosis, DVT (a blood clot forming in a leg vein), or in rare cases a clot travelling to the lungs
- Damage to nearby nerves or blood vessels, causing numbness, weakness, or circulation problems around the knee
- Reaction to anaesthesia (the medication used to keep the patient asleep or numb during surgery)
- Swelling or accumulation of fluid inside the joint that takes several weeks to settle
- Scarring inside the joint (arthrofibrosis) that limits how far the knee can bend or straighten
Preparation & Procedure
Before the procedure, the surgical team will ask about all medications, supplements, and herbal products the patient takes. Blood thinners and anti-inflammatory drugs are usually paused for a period set by the surgeon, because they can increase bleeding. Smoking slows healing of repaired cartilage, so the medical team will advise stopping as early as possible before the date.
Fasting is required before any anaesthesia. In most hospitals this means nothing to eat for at least six hours before the procedure, and nothing to drink (including water) for at least two hours. The exact fasting window will be confirmed by the hospital. Alcohol should be avoided for at least 24 hours beforehand.
Pre-operative assessments typically carried out in the days or weeks before surgery include:
- Blood tests to check for infection, anaemia, and clotting function
- MRI of the knee to confirm tear size, location, and whether repair is feasible
- X-rays to assess the overall alignment of the knee joint
- An ECG (electrocardiogram, a recording of heart rhythm) and sometimes a chest X-ray, particularly for older patients
- A fitness-for-surgery assessment with the anaesthesiologist (the doctor who manages anaesthesia)
On the day itself, the steps that typically happen are:
- The patient arrives, changes into a hospital gown, and a nurse confirms identity and allergy information
- An intravenous (IV) line is placed in the arm so fluids and medication can be given
- The anaesthesiologist administers either general anaesthesia (the patient is fully asleep) or spinal anaesthesia (the patient is numb from the waist down but awake)
- The surgeon makes two or three small cuts around the knee and inserts an arthroscope (a thin tube with a camera) to see inside the joint
- Sutures (stitches), anchors, or arrows made of dissolvable material are used to pull the torn edges together and hold them in place
- The instruments are removed, the small cuts are closed, and a sterile dressing is applied
- The patient is moved to the recovery area where nurses monitor vital signs as the anaesthesia wears off
Aftercare
Recovery after meniscus repair is longer than after simple meniscus trimming, because the stitched tissue must be protected while it heals. Most patients go home the same day or the following morning, but the knee needs careful management for several months. Full return to sport typically takes four to six months, though this varies widely with the size of the tear, the technique used, and how the individual heals.
- Weight-bearing: the surgeon will specify when it is safe to put weight on the leg, ranging from non-weight-bearing with crutches for several weeks to partial weight-bearing almost immediately, depending on the type of repair
- Knee brace: a brace is usually worn to limit how far the knee bends during the early healing weeks
- Ice and elevation: applying ice wrapped in cloth and keeping the leg raised reduces swelling in the first few days
- Wound care: the small dressings over the entry points are kept dry until the surgeon clears the patient to shower normally, usually within a few days to a week
- Physiotherapy (physical rehabilitation): exercises begin early, first to reduce swelling and maintain thigh muscle strength, then gradually progressing to balance, walking, and eventually sport-specific movement
- Pain control: the medical team will prescribe pain relief for the first days; by the end of the first week most patients need only mild oral pain medication
- Driving: most patients cannot drive until they can bend and straighten the knee without pain and are off strong pain medication, which varies by side of surgery and vehicle type
- Swelling monitoring: persistent warmth, increasing redness, or fluid building up in the joint after the first week should be reported to the surgeon promptly
- Follow-up appointments: suture removal or wound checks are usually done within one to two weeks, with further reviews at six weeks, three months, and six months to track rehabilitation progress
- Return to sport: a structured, staged return is decided by the physiotherapist and surgeon together based on strength and function tests, not on time alone
Cost & What Determines It
The price of meniscus repair varies significantly from country to country and even between hospitals in the same city, because the procedure involves several cost components that each have their own pricing. The complexity of the tear, the type of anaesthesia, and the expected length of stay all combine to produce a final figure that can look very different in different settings.
- Tear complexity and technique: a simple peripheral tear that needs a few sutures costs less than a large bucket-handle tear requiring multiple anchors and extended operating time
- Type of hospital: a public teaching hospital, a private hospital, and an internationally accredited specialty centre all have different fee structures
- Country of treatment: labour costs, facility standards, and healthcare system pricing vary widely across countries popular for medical travel
- Implants and devices: dissolvable anchors, arrow fixators, or specialised suture materials carry their own costs, and the number used depends on the tear
- Anaesthesia type and duration: general anaesthesia costs more than spinal anaesthesia; a longer operating time increases the anaesthesiologist's fee
- Length of inpatient stay: most patients stay one night or less, but complications or combined procedures such as simultaneous ACL reconstruction extend the stay and the bill
- Pre-operative investigations: MRI, blood panels, ECG, and X-rays done at the destination hospital are usually billed separately
- Physiotherapy: post-operative rehabilitation sessions, which are essential for a good outcome, are frequently not included in the surgical package price
- Implant warranty or revision policy: some hospitals offer a revision clause if the repair fails; this may or may not be priced into the package
Hospital packages for meniscus repair typically include the surgeon's fee, operating theatre costs, anaesthesia, and one or two nights of ward care. Items that tend to be billed separately include pre-operative MRI and blood tests, any implants used above a base allowance, physiotherapy sessions, medications to take home, outpatient follow-up visits, and accommodation for a companion.
For Indonesian patients, BPJS Kesehatan covers treatment only at its network of domestic providers and does not pay for procedures performed abroad. Most Indonesian private health insurance policies also exclude overseas treatment unless the plan specifically includes international coverage. This means most patients who choose to have meniscus repair in another country pay entirely out of pocket or hold a separate international health insurance policy that covers elective orthopaedic surgery. Requesting a written cost estimate, including a breakdown of what is and is not covered in the package, from the hospital before booking travel is the most reliable way to avoid unexpected bills on arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does meniscus repair surgery take?
Meniscus repair usually takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours, depending on how large the tear is and whether other structures in the knee need attention at the same time. Most surgeons perform it arthroscopically, meaning through small keyhole cuts rather than a large open incision, which tends to keep the operating time on the shorter end.
What kind of anaesthesia is used, and how much pain should I expect afterwards?
Most patients receive either general anaesthesia (fully asleep) or regional anaesthesia (a nerve block that numbs the leg while you stay awake), and your anaesthetist will choose based on your health and the surgeon's preference. After the block or general anaesthesia wears off, some aching and swelling around the knee is normal for the first few days, and doctors typically manage this with oral pain relief and ice.
How long is recovery after meniscus repair, and when can I go back to work?
Recovery from meniscus repair is generally longer than for a simple trim of the meniscus, often taking 3 to 6 months before you can return to sports or heavy physical work, because the repaired tissue needs time to heal fully. Desk-based or light work can sometimes be resumed in 2 to 6 weeks, but your surgeon will guide the timeline based on how the knee is healing during follow-up appointments.
How much does meniscus repair surgery cost?
The cost varies depending on several factors specific to your case, including the complexity of the tear, whether additional knee structures are repaired at the same time, the class of hospital you choose, and how many nights of inpatient stay are needed. Requesting a written itemised estimate directly from the hospital is the most reliable way to understand what your procedure will cost.
This page is general information, not a substitute for medical advice. Every case is different. Your doctor decides what is right for you.
