Partial Meniscectomy in San Antonio, TX
When Partial Meniscectomy Is the Right Choice
Partial meniscectomy is the surgical removal of the torn or damaged portion of the meniscus when repair is not technically feasible or when the tissue quality does not support healing. My philosophy is to remove as little tissue as possible — the minimum amount needed to create a stable, balanced meniscal rim — and preserve the rest. This is not always a simple trimming exercise; understanding the mechanics of how each tear pattern affects joint loading determines how much and exactly where tissue should be removed.
The most common candidates for partial meniscectomy are patients with degenerative tears in the avascular inner zone of the meniscus, older patients with complex tear patterns, and tears in tissue that is too degenerated or macerated to repair. Younger patients with tears in the peripheral vascular zone almost always get a repair attempt first.
Symptoms That May Indicate a Meniscus Problem
- Joint line pain on the inner or outer aspect of the knee
- Swelling that recurs after activity
- Catching, locking or a mechanical click with knee movement
- Difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee
- Pain with squatting, climbing stairs or pivoting
What to Expect
Partial meniscectomy is an outpatient arthroscopic procedure. Most patients bear weight the same day with a crutch or without one, and return to daily activities within a week to ten days. Return to sport or physical labor generally occurs at 4 to 6 weeks depending on the amount of tissue removed and the patient's baseline condition.
I am selective about when arthroscopic surgery for meniscus tears is appropriate. For degenerative tears in older patients with underlying arthritis, the evidence does not support surgery as a routine first-line treatment. I will tell you honestly if I think non-operative management is the better starting point, because unnecessary surgery is not a success regardless of the technical result.
Ready to take the next step? Call (210) 878-4113 or request an appointment at sportssurgeryspecialist.com.
