Does a sports medicine doctor perform meniscus repair?

The meniscus is a cushioning piece of cartilage between the thighbone and shinbone. A repair aims to secure a suitable tear so the tissue can heal, often through knee arthroscopy. Whether repair is possible depends on the tear’s position, pattern, stability, tissue quality, symptoms, and the condition of the rest of the knee. Some tears are managed with activity changes and physiotherapy, while some operations require a different approach. A sports medicine doctor may assess you directly or refer you to a surgeon with specific knee expertise.

Take any scan reports to the appointment and describe catching, locking, swelling, and activities that worsen symptoms. Ask whether the recommendation is observation, rehabilitation, repair, or another procedure. If repair is planned, discuss crutches or bracing, permitted weight-bearing, bending limits, physiotherapy, work duties, and the staged return to sport. Follow the surgical team’s instructions because healing tissue may need protection during recovery.

Seek prompt care if the knee becomes locked, markedly swollen, deformed, or unable to bear weight after trauma. Following surgery, report fever, spreading redness, wound fluid, severe pain that is not settling, or new calf swelling. Sudden chest pain or breathing difficulty requires emergency help.

Ask where the tear is, why repair is suitable, and what the alternative would involve. Clarify who will perform the operation, the protection needed afterward, the physiotherapy schedule, and how progress will be checked before sport.