I had knee pain for years when they finally figured out I had a torn meniscus. After the surgeon took the meniscus out, I was fine for about five years. Now I’m getting worse pain and swelling than before the surgery. Is this typical? I don’t remember being told to expect this.

The treatment of meniscus injuries has progressed and changed over the years. Meniscectomy (removing the meniscus) was the first procedure used. But long-term studies showed degeneration of the joint cartilage as a result. Meniscal repair is now performed whenever possible.

Symptoms such as knee swelling with activity, crepitus, and pain along the joint line can occur after meniscectomy (removal of the meniscus). Crepitus is the snapping or crackling felt or heard in the joint. When persistent pain with any of these other symptoms occur post-meniscectomy, a chondral defect (lesion in the joint cartilage) is suspected.

You may want to see your orthopedic surgeon for a follow-up exam. X-rays or more advanced imaging will show the location, size, and depth of any chondral defect. There are surgical procedures available now to repair and restore this layer of cartilage.

Meniscal autologous transplantation (MAT), osteochondral allograft(OA), andautologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) are three of the newer repair methods. MAT repairs the meniscus. OA and ACI are used to repair damage that goes deeper into the cartilage layer underneath the meniscus.