Meniscectomy

A surgical procedure in which all or part of a damaged meniscus (cartilage disc) is removed from a joint, almost always from the knee. Meniscectomy may be carried out when damage to the meniscus causes the knee to lock or to give way repeatedly. The procedure cures these symptoms and reduces the likelihood of premature osteoarthritis in the joint. Arthroscopy may be carried out to confirm and locate the damage, and the damaged area removed by instruments passed through the arthroscope. Alternatively, the meniscus may be removed through an incision at the side of the patella (kneecap). In either case, there may be an increased risk of osteoarthritis in later life, but this is less than if the damaged meniscus had been left in place.