If symptoms persist, if the patient cannot risk the delay of a potentially unsuccessful period of observation (eg, elite
athletes), or in cases of a locked
knee, surgical treatment is indicated.
The basic principle of meniscus surgery is to save the meniscus. Tears with a high probability of healing with surgical intervention are repaired. However, most tears are not repairable and resection must be restricted to only the dysfunctional portions, preserving as much normal meniscus as possible.