Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
meniscectomy
Pronunciation: meh-nih-SECK-toe-mee
Surgical removal of part or all of a torn meniscus in the knee joint.
Full Definition
A surgical procedure involving the partial or complete removal of damaged meniscal tissue in the knee. The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage structure that acts as a shock absorber between the femur and tibia. When torn, particularly in cases where the tear is degenerative or located in the avascular zone, surgical removal may be necessary. The procedure is typically performed arthroscopically to minimize tissue damage and recovery time.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish between partial and total meniscectomy in documentation.
In Context
- "The patient underwent partial medial meniscectomy for a degenerative tear." — Operative note
- "Arthroscopic meniscectomy was performed to remove the unstable meniscal fragment." — Procedure summary
Also known as
meniscal debridement
Contrasted with
meniscal repair
meniscal preservation
Don't confuse with
meniscal repair
meniscoplasty