Protecting your knee for the long term.
When a torn meniscus can be repaired rather than removed, surgery preserves one of the knee’s most important shock absorbers — reducing the risk of arthritis in later life.
Book a ConsultationThe meniscus is a C-shaped wedge of fibrocartilage that sits between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) in the knee. There are two — one on the inner side (medial meniscus) and one on the outer side (lateral meniscus). They act as shock absorbers, distribute load across the knee joint, and contribute to joint stability.
A meniscal tear is one of the most common knee injuries, occurring in both younger, active patients (usually from a twisting injury during sport) and older patients (where the meniscus can tear from relatively minor movements as it degenerates with age).
When surgery is indicated, the preferred approach — when the tear pattern and blood supply allow — is repair rather than removal.
“If a tear can be repaired, I will repair it. The meniscus is there for a reason — it distributes load and protects the joint surface. Every millimetre of meniscus preserved is a millimetre working to delay the onset of arthritis.”
— Dr Luke MooneyThe damaged portion of the meniscus is trimmed away. This is the quickest procedure with the fastest recovery — most patients return to sport within 4–6 weeks. The trade-off is that meniscal tissue is permanently lost, which increases the long-term risk of arthritis.
The torn edges of the meniscus are sutured back together using fine sutures placed arthroscopically. This is only possible where the tear type and blood supply support healing — typically vertical or longitudinal tears near the outer (vascular) edge. Recovery is longer (return to sport 4–6 months), but the meniscus is preserved.
A root tear affects the point where the meniscus anchors to the tibial bone — an injury that can lead to rapid joint deterioration if untreated. Repair involves reattaching the root back to the bone through a bone tunnel. This is the most technically demanding meniscal procedure (return to sport 6 months or more), but it offers the best chance of preserving joint function long term.
Dr Mooney will assess your MRI and discuss which option is appropriate for you at your consultation.
The main factors are the type and location of the tear, and whether there is blood supply to support healing. Tears near the outer edge of the meniscus (the 'red zone') tend to be repairable. Dr Mooney will assess your MRI and discuss the options with you.
Not all meniscal tears need surgery. Some tears can be managed without an operation, particularly in older patients with degenerative tears. However, certain tear types — particularly root tears — can lead to progressive joint deterioration if left unaddressed. Dr Mooney will advise on the right approach for your specific tear.
Yes. Meniscal repair is more technically demanding and has a longer recovery, but it preserves the meniscus. Where repair is feasible, Dr Mooney prefers it to trimming.
Yes. The re-tear rate after meniscal repair varies depending on the tear type and patient factors. Protecting the repair during healing — following the post-operative rehabilitation programme carefully — is important for success.
Fees are based on AMA recommended rates. Call the rooms for a fee estimate.
Dr Luke Mooney is an Adelaide orthopaedic surgeon who has built his surgical practice around hip and knee surgery. He trained in robotic-assisted joint replacement in Perth — one of the first surgeons in Australia to complete a dedicated robotic fellowship — and has since performed hundreds of hip and knee procedures at Orthopaedics 360 in Eastwood.
Dr Mooney is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide. He holds the qualifications MBBS, FRACS, and FAOrthA. When you see Dr Mooney, you see Dr Mooney — at every appointment, at surgery, and at every follow-up.
About Dr Mooney →Call the rooms or submit an online enquiry. A GP referral is required for Medicare rebate purposes. Dr Mooney’s team will be in touch to confirm your appointment.