Meniscus Root Repair
Expert Orthopaedic Care in Brisbane
Knee pain can affect anyone, from athletes to older adults dealing with degenerative changes. A meniscus root tear is a significant injury that compromises the meniscus, the knee’s natural shock absorber. If left untreated, it can accelerate joint damage and lead to early arthritis. Fortunately, meniscus root repair offers patients the chance to restore stability, help reduce pain and preserve the natural function of the knee joint.
What Is a Meniscus Root and Why Does It Matter?
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that cushions and stabilises the knee joint. Each meniscus attaches to the bone at two points, known as the meniscal roots. These root attachments are essential for proper load distribution.
A tear at the root is comparable to cutting the rope that anchors a tent, the whole structure becomes unstable. When the root fails, the meniscus can no longer absorb shock, leading to increased pressure on the cartilage and early osteoarthritis.
About Dr Blake Fidock
MBBS (Hons. 1), MTrauma (Ortho), FRACS (Ortho), FAOrthA
Orthopaedic Surgeon
What Is a Meniscus Root Tear?
A meniscus root tear can occur in two main groups:
- Younger patients: often due to sports injuries involving twisting or sudden stops.
- Older patients: more commonly linked with degenerative changes in the knee.
A specific subtype, the lateral meniscus root tear, is often associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Patients frequently ask whether a root tear is “as bad as an ACL tear.” While different in nature, both injuries can destabilise the knee and usually require specialist management.
How Is a Meniscus Root Repair Performed?
The procedure is typically carried out as an arthroscopic procedure, a minimally invasive technique using small incisions and a camera to view inside the joint.
Key steps include:
- Suture anchoring: Special sutures are passed through the torn meniscus root and secured into the bone.
- Anatomic reduction: The torn tissue is carefully positioned back into its natural attachment site to restore normal knee mechanics.
- Fixation: Anchors or tunnels hold the repair in place while healing occurs.
This advanced approach allows surgeons to restore stability while preserving the meniscus, rather than removing it.
What Is the Success Rate for a Meniscus Root Repair?
Studies show that anatomic repair offers significantly better long-term outcomes compared to partial removal of the meniscus. Success rates vary depending on patient age, activity level, and whether there is pre-existing arthritis.
- In younger or active patients, repair helps protect against early joint degeneration.
- In older patients, particularly those with degenerative knees, outcomes are improved when the procedure is performed before significant arthritis develops.
While no surgery can lead to arthritis, early diagnosis and repair are linked to improved function and reduced risk of future joint replacement.
Recovery After Meniscus Root Repair
Recovery involves a structured rehabilitation program:
- Initial phase (0-6 weeks): Limited weight-bearing with crutches, controlled range of motion.
- Intermediate phase (6-12 weeks): Gradual strengthening exercises under physiotherapy supervision.
- Final phase (3-6 months): Return to low-impact activities; higher-level sports may take longer.
Patients often ask when they can return to sport. While timelines vary, most people can expect several months of rehabilitation before resuming high-impact activity. Compliance with physiotherapy is critical to success.
Meniscus Root Tear Versus ACL Injury
Although both can occur together, the two injuries are distinct:
- ACL injury, which affects the main ligament stabilising the knee.
- Meniscus root tear, which affects the shock absorption system of the joint.
Both may require surgery, but the goals can differ. An ACL reconstruction restores stability for pivoting and cutting sports, while a root repair aims to preserve cartilage and prevent arthritis.
A meniscus root tear is a serious injury that compromises the knee’s ability to absorb shock and protect cartilage. Through advanced techniques such as arthroscopic suture anchoring and anatomic reduction, meniscus root repair can restore stability, reduce pain, and help preserve long-term knee function.
If you have knee pain or have been diagnosed with a meniscus root tear, early consultation is essential.
Contact Dr Blake Fidock at Ortho ARC in Brisbane to discuss whether meniscus root repair is right for you.
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