Sports Knee Surgery
Meniscus Tear Surgery & Repair in Glendale, AZ
The meniscus is the C-shaped cartilage cushion between the thigh bone and shin bone. Each knee has two, and they absorb shock and protect the joint surface. Dr. James MacKenzie, a fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon, treats meniscus tears in Glendale, Arizona with a clear preference: save the meniscus whenever a tear can be repaired, because preserving it may help protect the knee from arthritis later. Patients come to Arizona Sports Medicine Center from Peoria, Surprise, Sun City, and across the Phoenix West Valley.
Why patients choose Dr. MacKenzie
- Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
- Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS)
- Johns Hopkins residency, sports medicine fellowship
- Former assistant team physician, Miami Dolphins & Miami Heat
- Nonsurgical options first, surgery only when needed
- Se habla español
How Meniscus Tears Happen
In younger patients, meniscus tears usually come from a twist or pivot with the foot planted, often alongside an ACL injury. In adults over forty, the meniscus can tear with little more than a squat or an awkward step as the cartilage wears. Symptoms include pain along the joint line, swelling, catching or locking, and a knee that will not fully straighten.
Does a Meniscus Tear Need Surgery?
Many degenerative tears improve with physical therapy, activity changes, and sometimes an injection, and Dr. MacKenzie starts there when it makes sense. Surgery is considered when the knee locks or catches, when pain keeps you from activity despite therapy, or when the tear pattern and your age make repair likely to succeed. Nonsurgical care is not a delay tactic; for the right tear it is the better treatment.
Meniscus Repair vs. Partial Meniscectomy
Whether a tear can be repaired depends on its location, pattern, and blood supply. Tears near the outer rim have blood flow and can heal when stitched. Tears in the inner zone generally cannot, and the frayed piece is trimmed in a partial meniscectomy to relieve catching and pain. Dr. MacKenzie makes the final decision during arthroscopy, and he repairs whenever repair is realistic.
How Arthroscopic Meniscus Surgery Works
Both repair and trimming are done arthroscopically through two or three small incisions as outpatient surgery. For a repair, the tear is cleaned and the edges are stitched together with sutures or anchors. For a trim, only the unstable fragment is removed and the healthy meniscus is left intact. Most procedures take under an hour.
Recovery After Meniscus Surgery
Recovery differs sharply between the two procedures. After a partial meniscectomy, most patients walk right away and return to normal activity in a few weeks. After a repair, the stitched tissue needs time to heal, so weight bearing and deep bending are limited for about six weeks, and return to sport usually takes three to five months. Dr. MacKenzie explains which path applies before surgery so you can plan.
Root Repairs and Complex Tears
Some tears pull the meniscus loose at its anchor point, called a root tear, which behaves like a missing meniscus if left alone. Dr. MacKenzie performs root repairs and other complex repairs that reattach the meniscus to bone. These are more involved than a standard repair but can matter a great deal for the long-term health of the joint.
Risks
Risks of meniscus surgery include infection, blood clots, stiffness, persistent pain or swelling, failure of a repair to heal, and the need for additional surgery. Removing meniscus tissue can increase the long-term risk of arthritis, which is why repair is preferred when possible.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t see your question here? Our team is happy to help.
Can a torn meniscus heal on its own?
Tears near the outer rim with good blood supply can heal, especially in younger patients. Tears in the inner zone generally do not heal but may become less painful with therapy and time.
How long is recovery from meniscus surgery?
A partial meniscectomy usually means a few weeks. A meniscus repair takes longer, typically three to five months before full sport, because the repaired tissue must heal.
Will I need crutches?
After a trim, crutches are usually needed for only a few days. After a repair, crutches and a brace are used for several weeks to protect the stitches.
Can a meniscus tear cause arthritis?
Losing meniscus tissue increases the load on the joint surface and can speed up arthritis. That is the main reason Dr. MacKenzie favors repair when a tear can be saved.
Is meniscus surgery outpatient?
Yes. Both repair and partial meniscectomy are performed as outpatient procedures, and you go home the same day.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. MacKenzie
Call the office or request an appointment online and our team will help you take the next step.