The menisci are the shock-absorbing cartilage structures inside the knee. They can tear during sport or injury, but they can also develop tears gradually as the knee changes with age. Many meniscal tears do not need an operation. When surgery is appropriate, the aim is to preserve as much healthy meniscus as possible.
I offer specialist assessment and arthroscopic meniscal surgery for adults and young people in Reading, Berkshire and London, including private, insured and self-funding patients.
There are two menisci in each knee, one on the inside and one on the outside. They help distribute load across the joint and contribute to the smooth movement and stability of the knee.
A meniscus can tear during a twisting injury, particularly during sport, or as part of the normal ageing and wear of the knee.
Symptoms can include pain along the joint line, swelling, catching or occasionally locking of the knee.
Read more: Acute meniscus tear → · Degenerative meniscus tear →
No.
Meniscal tears are very common, including on MRI scans of people who have relatively few symptoms. Many can be managed successfully without an operation.
Surgery is more likely to be considered when a tear is causing persistent symptoms, particularly catching or locking, or when the pattern of injury suggests that repairing the meniscus may be worthwhile.
The important thing is to treat you and your symptoms, rather than the MRI scan alone.
Meniscal surgery is usually performed as a knee arthroscopy, or keyhole operation.
The whole knee is carefully inspected and the meniscal tear assessed directly.
Whenever appropriate, my preference is to repair and preserve the meniscus. Some tears cannot be repaired, in which case only the unstable damaged portion is removed while preserving as much healthy meniscal tissue as possible.
Other relevant problems within the knee can also be assessed and treated during the same arthroscopy where appropriate.
Read more: Knee arthroscopy →
I have a particular interest in knee injuries in children, teenagers and young athletes.
In younger patients, preserving the meniscus is especially important. Where the tear pattern allows, I will therefore aim to repair the meniscus rather than remove it.
Treatment is tailored to the individual injury, age of the patient and the sport or activities they hope to return to.
Read more: Discoid meniscus →
The meniscus is an important structure and I preserve it whenever reasonably possible.
Not every meniscal tear needs an operation, and not every tear that does require surgery needs part of the meniscus removed.
I will review your symptoms, examine your knee and look carefully at your MRI before discussing whether rehabilitation, meniscal repair or another form of treatment is most appropriate.
If surgery is right for you, I will explain the plan and recovery in detail and provide written information following your consultation.
A consultation does not commit you to having an operation.
Your first appointment involves discussing how the problem started, examining your knee and reviewing your MRI scan and any other relevant imaging.
We can then decide whether the meniscal tear is likely to be responsible for your symptoms and whether surgery is likely to help.
Read more: Patient journey →
I offer private knee consultations in Reading, Henley, Windsor and London and treat both insured and self-funding patients.
If you are considering paying for your own assessment or meniscal surgery, you can contact Debbie, my secretary, directly.
Read more: Fees →
Some meniscal injuries can settle without an operation. Whether this is likely depends on the type of tear, your symptoms, your age and how the injury occurred.
Yes. Meniscal surgery is normally performed arthroscopically using small incisions around the knee.
Where a tear has a good chance of healing, preserving and repairing the meniscus is generally preferable. Not every tear is repairable, however, and sometimes the unstable damaged portion needs to be removed.
No. MRI findings need to be considered alongside your symptoms and examination. I treat the patient rather than the scan.
Yes. Meniscal injuries occur in young athletes and I have a particular interest in treating these. Preserving and repairing the meniscus is especially important in younger knees where possible.
If you are using private medical insurance, your insurer may require a referral or authorisation.
If you are self-funding, you can contact Debbie directly.
If you have been told that you have a meniscal tear, or your knee is painful, catching or locking after an injury, the first step is to work out whether the meniscus is actually responsible for your symptoms and what treatment it needs.
You do not need to know whether you need surgery before coming to see me.
NEV DAVIES
FRCS (Tr & Orth), Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon
Written and reviewed by Mr Nev Davies FRCS (Tr & Orth), Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon and specialist knee surgeon. Last reviewed: September 2026.
This page provides general information about meniscal tears and meniscal surgery and cannot take account of your individual circumstances. It should not be treated as personal medical advice.