Does knee arthroscopy treat meniscus tear?

The menisci are cushions between the thighbone and shinbone. A tear may cause pain, swelling, catching, clicking, or difficulty fully straightening the knee. The tear's position, shape, blood supply, symptoms, age of the injury, and activity goals all affect treatment choices.

Arthroscopy uses small instruments through small skin openings to inspect the joint. A surgeon may repair tissue that can heal or trim unstable tissue that is causing mechanical symptoms. For other tears, physiotherapy, strength work, and adjusted loading may improve function without an operation.

Record which activities trigger pain, whether the knee swells afterward, and whether it catches or truly locks. An examination and, when appropriate, imaging help connect the scan finding with your symptoms rather than treating an image alone.

If non-operative care is advised, follow the exercise progression and return for review if function does not improve. If arthroscopy is discussed, ask whether repair or trimming is planned, what rehabilitation involves, and how the meniscus will be preserved.

Get prompt assessment for a knee that is locked and cannot straighten, major swelling soon after an injury, inability to bear weight, a deformed joint, or a numb or cold foot. Persistent catching, recurrent swelling, or giving way also deserves clinical review.

Ask where the tear is, whether it is repairable, what happens if it is observed, how long recovery may take, and which symptoms would change the plan.