Meniscectomy vs Meniscus Replacement
Meniscus Tear Treatment: Repair, Remove, or Replace?
The meniscus is the knee’s shock absorber. This fibrous cartilage sits between the femur and tibia, helping distribute force, protect the joint surface, and keep the knee moving smoothly through millions of steps each year.
When the meniscus tears, the treatment choice matters. A meniscectomy removes the torn portion of the meniscus. A meniscus repair uses sutures to preserve and heal the tissue. A meniscus replacement, also called a meniscus transplant or meniscus allograft, replaces missing meniscus tissue with donor cartilage.
At The Stone Clinic, our bias is clear: repair the meniscus whenever possible and replace it when it is irreparably damaged or missing. The earlier the knee’s shock absorber is restored, the better the chance of protecting your joints for a lifetime.
Why Removing the Meniscus Can Lead to Knee Arthritis
Meniscectomy can reduce symptoms when torn tissue is catching or causing pain, but removing meniscus tissue also removes protection. Without enough meniscus, the femur and tibia absorb more force directly. Over time, that increased pressure wears down the articular cartilage, the smooth bearing surface of the knee, and contributes to arthritis.
This is why many people who had part of their meniscus removed years ago later develop knee pain, swelling, stiffness, or loss of confidence in the joint. The knee may feel better at first, but the loss of shock absorption can change the long-term health of the joint.
In this video, Dr. Kevin Stone explains why preserving meniscus tissue is crucial, when repair may be possible, and why meniscus replacement can be an important option when the knee’s shock absorber is missing.
Meniscus Replacement vs. Knee Replacement
Meniscus replacement is not the same as knee replacement. A meniscus transplant uses donor meniscus tissue to restore the knee’s natural cushioning. A total knee replacement removes the damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with artificial metal and plastic components.
For active patients with missing meniscus tissue, meniscus transplantation may help reduce pain, improve function, and delay or avoid the need for an artificial knee replacement. It is especially relevant for people who want to keep running, skiing, cycling, hiking, or playing impact sports—and who are willing to commit to the rehabilitation needed to protect the repair.
Meniscus replacement may be recommended when a significant portion of the meniscus is missing, but the knee still has enough joint space available. Arthritis does not always rule it out. In selected knees, meniscus transplantation can be combined with cartilage regeneration, ligament repair, or other biologic procedures as part of a biologic knee replacement or a BioKnee®.
When the knee is completely bone-on-bone or the arthritis is too widespread, partial or total knee replacement may be the better option. The right choice depends on the condition of the knee, the patient’s activity goals, and whether the damaged biologic tissues can still be repaired or replaced.
Download our Saving My Knees Guide to find out if you are a good candidate for meniscus transplantation and our BioKnee program.
Learn More About Meniscus Treatment Options
For a deeper look at meniscus repair, meniscus replacement, and biologic knee preservation at The Stone Clinic, explore:
- Meniscus Transplant Center
- Avoid Artificial Knee Replacement with a BioKnee
- Hear Recovery Stories Directly From Meniscus Transplant Patients
Is Meniscus Replacement Right for Your Knee?
If you have knee pain after a meniscectomy, told your meniscus cannot be repaired, or are trying to avoid or delay an artificial knee replacement, The Stone Clinic can help you find the most minimally invasive option that helps you stay active for life.