Meniscus and meniscal root tears

At a glance

  • What it is: The menisci cushion and spread the load in the knee. They tear with a twisting injury or through wear.
  • When to operate: If the knee locks or mechanical pain persists, if the tear is repairable or if the root is torn.
  • How: Arthroscopically, repairing the meniscus or reattaching its root; removing meniscus only when it cannot be repaired.
  • Where: Surgery at Hospital Universitari El Pilar (Barcelona) and Hospital Universitari Quirónsalud Badalona; clinics at Centre Mèdic Quirónsalud Aribau (Barcelona) and in Badalona.
  • Team: Knee Unit · Samitier Sports, led by Dr. Gonzalo Samitier.

Content reviewed by Dr. Gonzalo Samitier, Head of the Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology Department. Last reviewed: November 2026.

In numbers

30+
meniscal transplants by Dr Samitier since 2023
100+
ACL reconstructions a year, with meniscal repair when needed
1,400
operations a year by the Samitier Sports team
50,000+
clinic visits a year by the team

Dr Gonzalo Samitier has performed more than 30 meniscal transplants since 2023 and over 100 ACL reconstructions a year. The Samitier Sports team performs about 1,400 operations and over 50,000 clinic visits a year.

Source: Dr Samitier’s surgical logbooks (Hospital Universitari Quirónsalud Badalona and Hospital Universitari El Pilar), November 2026.

Who will operate on you?

Have you been told you need surgery, or want a second opinion? Tell us about your case or WhatsApp us on +34 650 58 32 08.

When is surgery needed?

  • Knee locking or mechanical pain that does not improve with conservative treatment.
  • Repairable tears, especially in young and active patients.
  • Meniscal root tears: the meniscus stops working and the knee is overloaded.
  • Tears associated with an ACL injury.

How we operate

  • Arthroscopic meniscus repair to preserve the meniscus.
  • Posterior meniscal root repair, one of Dr Samitier’s areas of focus.
  • Partial meniscectomy only when the tear cannot be repaired.
  • All-arthroscopic meniscal transplant when the meniscus is missing (technique published by Dr Samitier in 2020).

Recovery step by step

  • After a repair or root repair: crutches and limited bending for 4-6 weeks.
  • After a partial meniscectomy: normal life in 2-4 weeks.
  • Return to sport after a repair: around 4-6 months.

Timelines are approximate: your surgeon sets them for each case.

Surgical videos by Dr. Samitier

From the Samitiersports YouTube channel. They contain surgical images.

Bucket-handle meniscus repair

Discoid lateral meniscus repair

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to repair or remove the meniscus?

Whenever the tear allows it, repairing is better: preserving the meniscus protects the cartilage and lowers the long-term risk of arthritis.

What is a meniscal root tear?

It is a tear where the meniscus attaches to the bone. Even if it looks small, the meniscus stops working, so it is usually worth repairing.

When can I return to sport?

After a repair, approximately at 4-6 months; after a partial meniscectomy, within a few weeks.

Make an appointment