BOOK NOW
CONDITIONS

Meniscal Tears

Expert Meniscal Tear Treatment in
South West Sydney & The Mid North Coast

Meniscal tear treatment ranges from physiotherapy to advanced arthroscopic surgery. As a knee subspecialist, Dr Richard Allom focuses on preserving your natural tissue to ensure the best long-term outcome for your knee's health and function.

Specialist Diagnosis

At his clinics in South West Sydney and the Mid North Coast, Dr Allom uses a thorough physical examination and high-quality MRI scans to understand the precise nature of your tear.

Preservation Focus

His primary goal is to preserve your natural tissue. He uses advanced arthroscopic techniques to repair the meniscus whenever possible.

Personalised Care

Whether you need non-surgical management or a surgical procedure, your treatment will be tailored to your specific injury, lifestyle, and goals.

Understanding Meniscal Tears

A meniscal tear is one of the most common knee injuries and can happen to anyone. An athlete might tear their meniscus during a sudden pivot on the sports field, while an older adult might develop a tear over time without a specific injury.

As a fellowship-trained knee subspecialist, Dr Richard Allom manages meniscal tears with a holistic approach. His main goal is to preserve your natural tissue using advanced arthroscopic repair techniques. When a repair isn't possible, he is also an expert in performing meniscectomy procedures, where only the damaged tissue is removed.

The first step is always to understand the type, location, and severity of your tear. This knowledge helps Dr Allom create the most effective treatment plan for your knee, whether that involves surgery or non-operative care. He is dedicated to helping you return to your daily activities, free from pain.

What is the Meniscus?

Inside your knee, you have two C-shaped pieces of tough cartilage called menisci. The medial meniscus sits on the inside of your knee, and the lateral meniscus is on the outside.

Think of them as your knee's natural shock absorbers. They protect the smooth articular cartilage that lines the ends of your thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). The menisci also play a vital role in keeping your knee stable and moving smoothly. Because they are so important for the long-term health of your knee, preserving them is the primary goal.

Types of Meniscal Tears

Meniscal tears come in different shapes and sizes. They are usually categorised by how they look and where they are located. Some of the common types include:
Longitudinal Tears
A tear that runs along the curve of the meniscus.
Bucket Handle Tears
This is a large, displaced longitudinal tear where a piece of the meniscus can flip into the middle of the joint, often causing the knee to lock.
Radial Tears
A tear that runs from the inner edge of the meniscus to the outer edge.
Horizontal Tears
This type of tear splits the meniscus into a top and bottom layer.
Degenerative Tears
Common in older adults, these tears happen as the cartilage wears down and becomes weaker over time.
The location of the tear is critical. The outer third of the meniscus has a good blood supply, which helps it heal. Tears in this "red zone" are often good candidates for repair. The inner two-thirds has a poor blood supply (the "white zone"), which means tears in this area struggle to heal on their own.

Meniscal Tear

Symptoms

The symptoms you feel can depend on the size and location of the tear. Many people experience:
  • A 'popping' sound or sensation when the injury occurs.
  • Pain, especially when you twist or pivot on your knee.
  • Swelling and stiffness that develops over a few hours.
  • Trouble fully bending or straightening your leg.
  • A feeling that your knee is locking, catching, or about to give way.

Diagnosis

To determine if you have a meniscal tear, Dr Allom will start by discussing your symptoms and how the injury happened. He will then conduct a careful physical examination at one of his clinics in South West Sydney (Campbelltown, Liverpool, Gledswood Hills) or the Mid North Coast (Taree, Forster).

To get a clear picture of the injury, he will refer you for an MRI scan. This is the best way to see the soft tissues inside your knee and confirm the exact type and location of the tear. You might also have an X-ray to make sure there are no other injuries, like a fracture, or to check for signs of arthritis.

Treatment Options

Dr Allom creates a treatment plan based on your specific needs. He will consider the type of tear you have, your age, your activity level, and your personal goals. The focus is always on relieving your pain and restoring your knee's function.

Non-Surgical Treatment

For smaller tears or degenerative tears that aren't causing your knee to lock, a non-surgical approach is often an effective first step. For many patients with these types of tears, this approach can successfully manage symptoms and avoid the need for surgery. This might involve:

Rest and Activity Modification

Taking a break from activities that hurt your knee.

Ice and Anti-inflammatories

To help manage swelling and pain.

Physiotherapy

A targeted exercise program is vital for strengthening the muscles around your knee, which helps to support the joint.

Surgical Treatment

If your symptoms don't improve or if you have a large tear that is causing mechanical problems like locking, surgery is often the best solution. Dr Allom performs all his meniscal surgeries using arthroscopy, which is a minimally invasive keyhole technique.

Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair

Whenever it's a viable option, Dr Allom will repair your torn meniscus. An arthroscopic repair involves carefully stitching the torn edges of the cartilage back together so they can heal. This approach is ideal because it preserves your entire meniscus, which is crucial for protecting the knee joint from developing arthritis later in life.

A repair is most successful for tears located in the outer "red zone" of the meniscus, where a good blood supply can support the healing process.
LEARN MORE ABOUT Meniscal Repairs

Partial Meniscectomy

Sometimes, a tear is in an area with poor blood supply or the tissue is too damaged to be stitched back together. In these situations, a partial meniscectomy may be needed. During this procedure, Dr Allom trims away and removes only the torn, unstable fragment of the meniscus, leaving the healthy tissue in place.

The aim is to preserve as much of the meniscus as possible to keep its shock-absorbing function intact.

Surgery and Recovery

Arthroscopic knee surgery is usually performed as a day procedure, meaning you can go home the same day.

Your recovery will depend on the type of surgery you had.
  • After a partial meniscectomy, you will likely use crutches for a few days but can expect to return to most of your normal activities within a few weeks.
  • Recovery from a meniscal repair is slower, typically around 4 to 6 months. You will need to use crutches and wear a knee brace for several weeks. This timeline can be influenced by your age, pre-injury fitness level, the specific type of repair, and your commitment to the physiotherapy programme.

Dr Allom's Approach to Meniscal Tears

Dr Allom is a strong advocate for joint preservation. His subspecialist training means he is skilled in the latest arthroscopic techniques to save the meniscus whenever possible. His expertise is further supported by a Master's Degree in Surgery, for which his thesis focused specifically on techniques in knee arthroplasty.

As an authority in the field, Dr Allom has published peer-reviewed research and serves as an examiner for orthopaedic surgical trainees, ensuring he remains at the forefront of his specialty.

"In my experience, taking the time to ensure a patient fully understands their injury and treatment options is just as important as the surgery itself. An informed patient is a partner in their own recovery."

He takes the time to clearly explain your diagnosis and treatment options, so you can feel confident and informed about your care. His focus is always on achieving the best possible long-term outcome for the health of your knee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes. Small tears, especially those in the outer 'red zone' with a good blood supply, can potentially heal with rest and physiotherapy. However, larger tears or those causing locking symptoms often require surgery to resolve.

Losing a significant portion of the meniscus can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life. This is why Dr Allom’s goal is to save as much healthy tissue as possible. For example, removing more than half of the meniscus can significantly increase this risk, which is why repair is prioritised.

Returning to sport varies and depends on your surgery. After a partial meniscectomy, it might be around 6 to 8 weeks. After a meniscal repair, the timeline is longer, usually 4 to 6 months, to give the repair the best chance to heal completely.

Not at all. Your overall health, activity level, and the impact of your symptoms are much more important than your age. Dr Allom successfully treats patients of all ages. He will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if surgery is a safe and beneficial option for your specific situation.

This depends on which knee was operated on, the type of surgery you had, and the car you drive. As a general guide, you must be off all strong pain medication and be able to control the pedals safely in an emergency. Dr Allom will give you specific advice based on your procedure and recovery progress.

Next Steps

If you are dealing with knee pain or think you may have a meniscal tear, a specialist assessment is the right next step.
Book Your Consultation

Convenient Locations in Two Regions

I consult and operate from five locations, providing local access to subspecialist expertise without the need for long-distance travel.

South West Sydney Locations

Phone Number

04 3818 3832

Gledswood Hills

The George Centre, Suite 12, 1A The Hermitage Way

Campbelltown

Centric Park, Level 3, 4 Hyde Parade

Liverpool

Sydney South West Private Hospital, Suite 3.02, 24-40 Bigge Street

Mid North Coast Locations

Phone Number

02 6551 0722

Taree

Mayo Private Hospital Specialist Suites, 2 Potoroo Drive

Forster

Dolphin Suites Consulting Rooms, 33 Breckenridge Street

Related Information

ACL Reconstruction
Meniscal tears often occur at the same time as an ACL injury. Learn more about treatment for this common sports injury.
READ MORE
Joint Preservation Surgery
Understand more about the different surgical options aimed at preserving the long-term health of your knee.
Knee Replacement Surgery
For patients with advanced arthritis, learn about the robotic-assisted knee replacement options available.

Book Your Consultation

BOOK CONSULTATION
Quick Links
Conditions
Treatments
©2026 Dr Richard Allom. All rights reserved.

Oxford Knee Score Questionnaire

Please answer the following 12 questions about your knee, considering your symptoms over the past 4 weeks. Select one answer for each question.