A meniscus repair is done using tacks or sutures along the torn edges of the meniscus tissue. The objective of the repair procedure is to hold the tissue together long enough for the meniscus to heal itself.

The materials used for the repair can be bio-absorbable. This means the tacks or sutures hold their shape and strength long enough for the meniscus to heal, and then get absorbed by the body. Once the material has been absorbed there is no sign of the repair material left in the meniscus.

A meniscus repair helps restore normal knee anatomy, and when successful results in a good long-term prognosis for the patient. Success is more likely if the original tear is near the outer edge of the meniscus, where there is adequate blood supply. In addition, lateral meniscus repairs tend to heal better than medial meniscus repairs. Frequently a surgeon will use non-absorbable materials, such as certain sutures, for a meniscus repair procedure.

If the meniscus repair is not successful, and the tear does not heal or the meniscus tears again, another surgery may be necessary to remove the torn cartilage. This happens between 20% and 40% of the time a meniscus repair procedure is done.

In most cases there are very low complication rates for meniscus repair.