✦ Cartilage Protection Surgery

Meniscus Root Repair

Q: What is a meniscus root tear?

A root tear separates the meniscus from its bony attachment, eliminating shock absorption and exposing cartilage to rapid wear and arthritis.

Q: How is the diagnosis made?

MRI is the gold standard. Specific signs — meniscal extrusion, root signal change and bone marrow oedema — point firmly to root tear.

Q: Is repair always possible?

Repair is possible when arthritis is minimal and cartilage reasonably preserved. Older patients with advanced arthritis need other options.

Q: Will I walk normally again?

Yes — protected weight-bearing for 6 weeks is followed by gradual return to walking. Full unrestricted activity returns by 4–6 months.

A torn meniscus root is reattached to bone using sutures and a bone tunnel — restoring shock-absorbing function and preventing the rapid arthritis that follows untreated root tears.

45–60 min PROCEDURE

Day-Care HOSPITAL STAY

>90% SUCCESS RATE

4–6 Months FULL RECOVERY

What is Meniscus Root Repair?

Meniscus Root Repair is an arthroscopic procedure that reattaches a detached meniscus root to its anatomic footprint on the tibial bone. Because the root anchors the meniscus and converts compressive load into circumferential hoop stress, a root tear renders the meniscus functionally absent — accelerating cartilage wear and arthritis. The repair uses high-strength sutures passed through the torn root and tied securely over a button across a tibial tunnel. Dr. Hithesh performs meniscus root repair in Hyderabad to restore meniscal mechanics in younger patients and protect the joint from progressive degeneration.

Recommended for younger patients with a confirmed meniscus root tear on MRI, minimal arthritis and good joint cartilage, where preserving meniscus function will protect the knee from premature arthritis.

How the Procedure Works

Diagnostic Arthroscopy

Standard portals confirm the root tear pattern, assess remaining cartilage and rule out additional intra-articular pathology requiring treatment.

Root Footprint Preparation

The torn root and the tibial footprint are debrided to bleeding bone, creating an environment for biological healing.

Suture Passage

High-strength sutures are passed through the torn meniscus root using arthroscopic instruments specifically designed for the procedure.

Transtibial Tunnel Fixation

A guided tunnel through the tibia carries the sutures, which are tensioned and tied over a cortical button.

Closure & Rehabilitation

Portals are closed; protected weight-bearing in a brace and graded physiotherapy ensure secure biological healing of the repair.

Outcomes

45–60 minDURATION

Day-CareHOSPITAL STAY

>90%SUCCESS RATE

4–6 MonthsFULL RECOVERY

Who Needs This Treatment?

→Preserves the meniscus's irreplaceable shock-absorbing role within the knee
→Slows or prevents the rapid arthritis seen after root tears
→Postpones or completely avoids future joint replacement surgery requirements
→Performed as a day-care arthroscopic procedure with very small scars
→Restores natural knee mechanics, alignment and balanced load distribution
→Strong long-term clinical outcomes when patient selection is appropriate

When a meniscus root tears, the knee silently begins its slide towards arthritis. A timely repair stops that slide — and patients keep their own joint instead of needing replacement years down the line.

— — Dr. Bathini Hithesh, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Trauma & Joint Replacement Specialist, Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a meniscus root tear?+

How is the diagnosis made?+

Is repair always possible?+

Will I walk normally again?+

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

Book a consultation with Dr. Bathini Hithesh and get a personalised treatment plan.

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