Partial Meniscectomy (Meniscus Trimming)
Arthroscopic trimming of a torn meniscus with Dr. Steven Ward in Tucson and Oro Valley — removing the unstable piece that catches or locks the knee while saving as much healthy meniscus as possible.
Call 520-881-1394Typical ranges for general education. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.
What it treats
The menisci are two C-shaped cushions of cartilage between the femur and tibia. They absorb load, help stabilize the knee, and protect the joint cartilage.
- Injury tears from a twist, pivot, or deep squat, often in sports and sometimes together with an ACL tear
- Degenerative tears in older, worn meniscus tissue, which can tear with something as simple as an awkward twist getting up from a chair
- Symptoms include pain along the joint line, swelling and stiffness over the first few days, catching or locking, the knee giving way, and trouble fully bending or straightening
The inner two-thirds of the meniscus has little blood supply, so tears there cannot heal on their own. When those tears keep causing symptoms, the torn piece is trimmed.
Is surgery right for you?
Many meniscus tears do not need surgery, especially if the knee is not locking or repeatedly swelling. Treatment usually starts with:
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation
- Anti-inflammatory medication when it is safe for you
- Physical therapy
- A steroid injection for pain and swelling
Arthroscopy is considered when pain, catching, or locking continue despite that care. Trimming is not recommended for knee arthritis without catching or locking. If the tear is in an area that can heal, especially in younger, active patients, Dr. Ward may recommend repairing it instead. X-rays check for arthritis, and an MRI shows the tear and the rest of the knee.
How the surgery is done
Partial meniscectomy is done arthroscopically through small portal incisions, usually as an outpatient procedure. Most knee arthroscopies take less than an hour.
A camera and small instruments go into the joint so Dr. Ward can see the tear, remove the unstable fragments, and smooth the remaining meniscus. Healthy rim is left in place whenever possible so the meniscus keeps cushioning the joint. Other findings inside the knee are treated as needed. Most people go home 1–2 hours after surgery.
Dr. Ward’s full protocol
The week-by-week rehab protocol, home exercises, and wound care instructions are on the knee arthroscopy page and in the packets on the knee post-op page. The summary below follows that protocol.
Recovery overview
These timelines come from Dr. Ward’s meniscus resection rehab protocol. Your therapist may adjust details based on how your knee progresses.
Weeks 1–6
- Weight-bearing as tolerated; wean off crutches as you are able
- Motion from 0–90° and regaining quadriceps control
- Drive when you are completely off crutches and no longer taking narcotic pain medication
- No lifting more than 25 lbs; no ladder or step stool
- Leave the dressing 3 days; keep the incisions dry until day 7; do not submerge until day 30
Weeks 7–12
- Progress to full range of motion and strengthen the quadriceps
- Flat-foot cardio such as a bike or elliptical; avoid running in this phase
- Resistance training builds through weeks 9–12
Return to sport
- You may start returning to sports activities around 4–6 weeks as pain, swelling, and strength allow and as cleared in clinic
- Running and higher-impact sports advance only when the knee is quiet and clinic or physical therapy clears you
- If an activity causes swelling or pain, back off, then rest, ice, compress, and elevate
When to call the clinic
Call 520-881-1394 if you notice any of the following after surgery or while you are recovering:
- A fever of 101°F or higher, or chills
- Redness spreading around an incision, or drainage that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or keeps soaking the dressing after the first few days
- New or worsening numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot once the anesthesia has worn off, or a foot that turns pale, blue, or cold
- Pain that is not controlled by your prescribed medication, ice, elevation, and rest
- Pain, swelling, or tenderness in the calf that is new or getting worse
It is normal for the knee to be swollen, bruised, and sore for a while, and for the leg to feel numb or weak until a nerve block or spinal anesthetic wears off. Use your crutches, walker, or brace as directed. Call if something feels different from what you were told to expect.
for chest pain, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of a blood clot in the lungs and need emergency care.
If something does not match the instructions you were given, call the office. Dr. Ward or one of his physician assistants will get back to you.
Related resources
Knee Arthroscopy Post-Op Instructions
Dr. Ward’s printable handout for the weeks after knee arthroscopy and meniscectomy: wound care, pain control, recovery phases, and home exercises.
Open PDFMeniscus Tear Handout
Dr. Ward’s two-page printable guide to meniscus tears: how the meniscus works, the types of tears, and when trimming or repair may help.
Open PDFKnee arthroscopy & meniscus resection
Dr. Ward’s knee arthroscopy page, including his meniscus resection rehab protocol.
Open pageKnee post-op hub
Knee arthroscopy and knee replacement packets, rehab protocols, and anatomy guides.
Open pageExercise guides
Printable home exercise programs to use with your physical therapist.
Open pagePhysical therapy locations
Find a physical therapy clinic near you in Tucson and Oro Valley.
Open pageOrthoInfo: Meniscus tears
Patient education on meniscus tears from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
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