The meniscus is a fibrocartilage cushion between the femur and tibia that serves as a shock absorber. Each knee has both a medial and lateral meniscus. Meniscus surgery, like so many other surgeries, have been the go-to, even when there are far better options available.


How Successful Is Meniscus Surgery?

2013 New England Journal of Medicine

2013 New England Journal Of Medicine

A multicenter trial (study link above) randomized 146 patients, between 35 to 65 years of age, who had knee symptoms consistent with meniscal tear and no knee arthritis. Patients were randomly assigned to either arthroscopic partial meniscectomy or sham surgery. After 12 months, the outcomes after arthroscopic meniscectomy were no better than those after a sham surgical procedure. Ouch!
2016 Annals of Internal Medicine

What Do We Know?
The meniscus is a shock absorber that protects knee cartilage. Trimming the meniscus reduces this protection and places the cartilage at risk for damage.
A long-term outcome study demonstrated that 40% of patients who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy had evidence of osteoarthritis within years of the surgery (3.4–8.8 years).
Regenexx is a nonsurgical alternative to knee surgery.
If you have a meniscal tear, know that surgery is no better than physical therapy and that resection of a portion of the meniscus leads to early-onset arthritis. At the Centeno-Schultz Clinic, we will provide you with an effective alternative in addition to an understanding of what led to your injury. Knowledge is power.
Schedule a consultation with a board-certified, fellowship-trained physician and take control of your health!
