Meniscal Repair & Cartilage Preservation Surgery in Hyderabad

Your meniscus and cartilage are the natural shock absorbers of your knee. Once they are torn or damaged, the knee starts to wear out faster — and what begins as occasional pain can lead to early arthritis if not treated correctly. The good news? Modern surgery can often repair the meniscus and preserve cartilage, instead of just removing it — and that is what we focus on.

At our clinic, we offer advanced arthroscopic meniscus repair and cartilage preservation surgery in Hyderabad, performed by Dr Karthik Rao — a fellowship-trained orthopaedic and sports knee specialist. Our goal is simple: save your natural knee, restore pain-free movement, and protect you from arthritis later in life.

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Why Saving Your Meniscus & Cartilage Matters

For decades, the standard treatment for a torn meniscus was to simply trim it out (called a meniscectomy). We now know — based on long-term studies — that removing meniscus tissue, even small amounts, increases the risk of arthritis years later. The same is true for damaged cartilage.

Wherever possible, we focus on preserving and repairing instead of removing. This is the modern, knee-saving approach to sports injuries and early degenerative knee problems.

Understanding the Meniscus

Each knee has two C-shaped pieces of cartilage between the thigh bone and the shin bone — the medial meniscus (inside) and the lateral meniscus (outside). Together, they cushion the joint, distribute load, lubricate movement, and stabilise the knee.

When the meniscus is torn or removed, the cartilage underneath takes the full impact of every step — and that is what eventually leads to early arthritis.

What is a Meniscus Tear?

A meniscus tear can happen in different patterns, and not all tears are treated the same way. Common types include:

• Bucket-Handle Tear — a large tear that flips into the joint and may lock the knee. Almost always repairable in young patients.
• Radial Tear — tears outwards across the meniscus; modern techniques can sometimes repair these.
• Horizontal Tear — splits the meniscus into upper and lower halves.
• Flap Tear — a piece hangs loose and catches with movement.
• Root Tear — the meniscus pulls off its anchor point — a serious tear that needs urgent repair to prevent rapid arthritis.
• Degenerative Tear — wear-and-tear tear in older patients; often treated non-surgically first.

Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear

• Pain along the inside or outside of the knee
• Swelling that develops over hours to days
• A ‘catching’ or ‘locking’ sensation
• Inability to fully bend or straighten the knee
• Pain when twisting, squatting, or going down stairs
• A clicking or popping during movement
• A feeling that the knee ‘gives way’

If you have any of these symptoms, please come in for an evaluation. Some tears can be repaired easily early on but become irreparable if neglected.

Common Causes of Meniscus & Cartilage Injuries

Sports & Acute Injuries

• Twisting movements — cricket, football, badminton, kabaddi
• Awkward landings or pivots
• Direct impact on the knee
• Often combined with ACL or other ligament tears

Degenerative & Lifestyle Causes

• Repetitive squatting, kneeling, or floor sitting
• Age-related wear (more common after 40)
• Obesity and high-impact loading
• Previous knee surgery or untreated ligament injury

Diagnosis

• Detailed history and clinical examination by Dr Karthik Rao
• Specific physical tests — McMurray, Thessaly, joint-line tenderness
• Knee X-rays to assess alignment and rule out arthritis
• MRI scan — the gold standard for confirming and grading meniscus and cartilage damage

Treatment Options — Repair, Trim, or Preserve?

Once we have a clear picture of the tear, we recommend the right treatment for your tear pattern, age, lifestyle, and any associated injuries.

Non-Surgical Treatment

For small degenerative tears or stable tears in low-demand patients.

• Rest, ice, and activity modification
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Targeted physiotherapy
• Cortisone, PRP, or hyaluronic acid injections (when indicated)
• Bracing for selected cases

Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair (Joint-Preserving)

Whenever possible, this is our first surgical choice. Through 2–3 keyhole incisions, we use sutures or anchors to stitch the torn meniscus back together so it can heal naturally — preserving its cushioning function for life.

Partial Meniscectomy (Selective Trimming)

Reserved for cases where the tear pattern simply cannot be repaired. Even then, we trim only the absolute minimum and preserve as much healthy meniscus as possible.

Meniscal Root Repair

A specialised repair for meniscal root tears, where the meniscus has pulled off its bone anchor. Restoring the root is essential to prevent rapid arthritis.

Meniscal Transplant (Allograft)

In selected younger patients who have lost most of their meniscus from earlier surgery, a donor meniscus transplant can be considered to preserve the joint.

Cartilage Preservation Procedures We Offer

When the cartilage of the knee is damaged — whether from injury or early arthritis — preserving and restoring it can dramatically delay or even prevent the need for knee replacement. We offer a complete range of cartilage preservation options:

1. Microfracture / Microdrilling

Tiny perforations are made in the bone under the cartilage defect to stimulate new healing tissue. Best suited for small defects.

2. OATS (Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System)

Healthy cartilage and bone are transferred from a non-weight-bearing area of your own knee to the damaged area. Excellent for small to medium focal defects.

3. ACI / MACI (Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation)

Your own cartilage cells are harvested, grown in a lab, and re-implanted to regenerate cartilage in larger defects.

4. Biological Augmentation (PRP, Stem-Cell-Based Therapy)

Used to support healing and tissue quality during cartilage and meniscus repair surgery.

5. High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO) — for Bow-Legged Knees with Cartilage Damage

A bone-realignment surgery that shifts load away from the damaged side of the knee — a powerful joint-preserving option for younger patients with early one-sided arthritis.

Why Choose Our Clinic for Meniscus & Cartilage Surgery in Hyderabad

• Joint-Preservation Philosophy — we always prioritise repair and preservation over removal whenever possible.
• Fellowship-Trained Sports Knee Surgeon — Dr Karthik Rao is specifically trained in arthroscopic meniscus repair and cartilage restoration.
• Modern Repair Techniques — all-inside, inside-out, and outside-in repair methods using the latest devices.
• Comprehensive Cartilage Restoration — microfracture, OATS, ACI/MACI, biological augmentation, and osteotomy — all under one roof.
• Personalised Surgical Planning — we tailor surgery to your tear pattern, age, sport, and goals.
• Sport-Specific Rehabilitation — tailored programmes that respect healing biology and get you back safely.
• Surgeon-Led Continuity of Care — the same surgeon who evaluates you also operates and follows up.
• Transparent Pricing & Insurance Support — cashless options with all major providers.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Pre-Operative Evaluation

• Detailed clinical examination by Dr Karthik Rao
• MRI to confirm tear pattern, location, and any cartilage damage
• Pre-habilitation exercises and counselling
• Routine blood tests and anaesthetic fitness check

Step 2: The Surgery

• Performed under spinal/regional or general anaesthesia
• 2–3 small keyhole incisions
• High-definition arthroscope inspects the entire knee
• The meniscus is repaired with sutures/anchors, or trimmed minimally if irreparable
• Cartilage damage is treated with the appropriate restoration technique
• Procedure duration: typically 30 to 90 minutes (depending on complexity)

Step 3: Post-Operative Care

• Most of our patients are discharged the same day or next morning
• Crutches and a brace may be used for 2–6 weeks (depending on the procedure)
• Weight-bearing rules vary by surgery type and are explained clearly to every patient
• Physiotherapy starts within the first week

Recovery & Rehabilitation

Recovery depends on which procedure was performed. Following the rehab programme exactly is essential to give the meniscus or cartilage time to heal properly.

• Meniscus Trim (partial meniscectomy): weight-bearing immediately, return to office in 1–2 weeks, sport in 4–6 weeks.
• Meniscus Repair: protected weight-bearing for 4–6 weeks, return to office in 4–6 weeks, sport in 4–6 months.
• Microfracture / OATS / ACI: protected weight-bearing for 6–8 weeks, sport in 6–9 months.
• HTO (Osteotomy): protected weight-bearing for 6–8 weeks, sport at 6 months.

Cost of Meniscus & Cartilage Surgery in Hyderabad

The cost depends on the type of procedure, the technology used, and the complexity of your case:

• Meniscus trimming (partial meniscectomy)
• Arthroscopic meniscus repair with anchors/sutures
• Microfracture or OATS
• ACI / MACI cartilage cell implantation (most advanced)
• HTO osteotomy

Estimated Cost Range: ₹65,000 to ₹3.5 Lakhs (indicative — varies widely by procedure).

*We share the final cost after your evaluation. Cashless insurance and EMI options are available with all major providers.