Glossary
All-inside meniscus repair
Quick answer
All-inside meniscus repair stitches a torn meniscus entirely through the arthroscopy portals, using devices that place small anchors and sutures from inside the joint without extra cuts at the back of the knee. Dr. Pablo Gelber in Doha uses it at Aman Hospital to save meniscus wherever possible.
What it is
The device is passed into the joint, through the torn meniscus and just beyond the capsule, where it deploys a tiny anchor. A second anchor is placed nearby and the pre-tied suture between them is tightened, pulling the torn edges together. Several stitches are usually placed along the tear.
Other repair techniques, called inside-out and outside-in, pass needles out through the skin and need small extra incisions. Each suits different tear locations.
Why it matters for patients
Saving the meniscus protects the cartilage and lowers the long-term risk of arthritis compared with removing torn tissue. The all-inside method is especially useful for tears at the back of the meniscus and avoids extra incisions near nerves and vessels.
Healing takes time, so recovery is slower than after trimming. Weight-bearing and deep bending are often limited for several weeks, and return to pivoting sport is usually measured in months.
When it is used
It suits tears in the outer, better-supplied part of the meniscus, many tears found with an ACL rupture, and some longitudinal or bucket-handle tears. Root tears and some complex tears need different techniques. The plan is confirmed at arthroscopy.
Frequently asked questions
Can the repaired meniscus tear again?
Some repairs do not heal fully or re-tear, especially with early heavy loading or a new injury. Following the rehabilitation limits gives the repair its strongest chance.
Why can I not squat deeply after a meniscus repair?
Deep squatting compresses the back of the meniscus where many repairs sit. Avoiding it for the advised period protects the stitches while healing takes place.
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