Meniscus Preservation & Knee Cartilage Pathology
Meniscus Tear Treatment in Dubai:
Meniscus Repair, Root Repair & Knee Cartilage Preservation
(Partial meniscectomy, meniscus repair, meniscal root repair, ramp lesions, combined meniscus and cartilage preservation procedures, osteochondral defects integrated within knee preservation surgery)
If your knee locks, catches, swells after sport, or hurts with twisting movements, the cause is often a meniscus tear, sometimes combined with cartilage damage. The right treatment is not always “remove the meniscus.” In many cases, preserving and repairing the meniscus can protect your knee and support long-term function, especially for active people.
I’m Dr. Tomislav Cerovecki (most people call me Tomislav), an orthopaedic surgeon with a sports injury focus at Tadawi Hospital – Al Garhoud, Dubai. I provide evaluation and knee preservation procedures including:
• Meniscus repair (when repair is appropriate)
• Meniscal root repair
• Ramp lesion repair (posterior meniscus tears often linked with ACL patterns)
• Partial meniscectomy (only when necessary)
• Combined meniscus + cartilage preservation (when cartilage defects co-exist)
• Management of osteochondral defects as part of knee preservation planning
If you have an MRI already,
I can also provide an MRI review and a clear plan for next steps.
Who This Service Is For?
This service is designed for patients who:
• Injured the knee during sport, running, gym, or a twisting movement
• Have knee locking or catching
• Feel sharp pain on the joint line, especially when turning or squatting
• Have ongoing swelling after activity
• Were told they have a meniscus tear and want to know if it can be repaired
• Want a second opinion before surgery
• Have both meniscus and cartilage damage and want a preservation-focused approach
Common Meniscus Tear Symptoms
A meniscus tear often feels different from simple muscle soreness. Typical symptoms include:
• Knee locking or catching (the knee feels stuck or “jammed”)
• Clicking / popping during movement
• Swelling after injury or swelling that returns with activity
• Pain with twisting, pivoting, or deep bending
• Pain going down stairs or when standing from a low seat
• A sense the knee is “not moving smoothly”
When to Seek Urgent Assessment?
(Red Flags)
Please seek prompt medical evaluation if you have:
• A knee that is truly locked (cannot straighten fully)
• Rapid swelling after a significant injury
• Inability to bear weight
• Severe pain with deformity or instability
Why “Meniscus Preservation” Matters?
The meniscus acts as a shock absorber and helps distribute load across the knee. Removing large parts of the meniscus can increase contact stress on the cartilage. In the right patient and tear pattern, repairing and preserving meniscus tissue may reduce future joint overload and support better long-term knee mechanics.
That’s why your treatment plan should be based on:
• Tear type and location (some zones heal better than others)
• Knee stability, alignment, and activity level
• Presence of cartilage defects
• Your sport goals and timeline
Conditions We Treat Under Meniscus & Cartilage Preservation
Partial Meniscectomy
(Selective trimming)
Sometimes the tear tissue cannot be repaired safely (for example, certain complex degenerative patterns). In those cases, a partial meniscectomy may be appropriate, focused on removing only unstable fragments and preserving as much healthy meniscus as possible.
Meniscal Root Repair
A meniscal root tear can behave like a “functional meniscus loss” because it disrupts meniscus anchoring. When indicated, root repair aims to restore meniscus function and reduce joint overload.
Combined Meniscus +
Cartilage Preservation
In some patients, meniscus tears coexist with cartilage problems. A preservation strategy may address both in one plan, depending on defect size, location, and knee biomechanics.
Meniscus Repair
(when suitable)
When the tear pattern and tissue quality allow it, repair can be considered to preserve function. Repair decisions are individualized and based on stability, tear configuration, and patient goals.
Ramp Lesions
A ramp lesion is a specific posterior meniscus tear pattern often seen with certain injury mechanisms and knee instability patterns. If present, it should be identified and managed appropriately during a knee preservation approach.
Osteochondral Defects
(as part of Knee Preservation Surgery)
An osteochondral defect involves cartilage and underlying bone in a focal area. Management depends on size, depth, symptoms, and activity goals. The priority is a plan that supports function, reduces mechanical symptoms, and protects the knee.
How We Evaluate Your Knee
(Simple and Clear)
A good plan starts with the right diagnosis. Your assessment typically includes:
- Detailed history (injury mechanism, sport, symptoms)
- Physical examination (joint line pain, mechanical signs, stability)
- Review of imaging:
- MRI review for meniscus and cartilage status
- X-rays may be used for alignment or joint space evaluation
When to Seek Urgent Assessment?
(Red Flags)
Bring it. An MRI report alone may not be enough, image review and clinical correlation matter.
Treatment Options: What Happens Next?
Your plan is tailored. In many cases, we start with:
• Swelling control + pain management
• Restoring motion
• Targeted physiotherapy and strength
• Activity modification for a defined period
Then arthroscopy-based treatment may be discussed. If you have:
• persistent locking/catching,
• significant mechanical symptoms,
• unstable tears,
• or tear patterns that are unlikely to settle with rehabilitation,
Knee Arthroscopy in Dubai:
What It Means?
Knee Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive approach using small incisions and a camera. The goal is to:
• Confirm tear pattern
• Treat the meniscus with the most preservation-focused option appropriate
• Address cartilage issues when clinically indicated
Not every patient needs surgery. The key is matching the treatment to:
• your tear type,
• your symptoms,
• and your functional goals.
Recovery & Return to Activity (Realistic Expectations)
Recovery depends on what is done:
• A simple trimming procedure may have a different recovery profile than a repair.
• A repair/root repair often requires more protection early, because healing needs time.
• When cartilage work is added, rehab is planned accordingly.
The Most Important Point
Return to sport is based on function and strength criteria, not only the calendar. A safe return plan reduces re-injury risk and helps long-term knee health.
FAQ
Why Patients Choose Dr. Tomislav in Dubai
Patients typically value:
• A clear diagnosis and explanation in simple language
• A preservation mindset: repair when appropriate
• Structured guidance for recovery and return to activity
• Optional second opinion and MRI review
• Care within a reputable hospital setting: Tadawi Hospital – Al Garhoud, Dubai
If you have knee locking, swelling after sport, or MRI-confirmed meniscus tear—and you want the most appropriate plan (repair vs other options), you can book an appointment for assessment.
Book with Dr. Tomislav Cerovecki
Tadawi Hospital – Al Garhoud, Dubai
(Available for UAE residents and patients traveling from GCC)