Meniscus root tear, 31 years old, no pain

If you’re saying they’re indicating you’ll require knee replacement surgery eventually, I’d want my knee to be as stable as possible now so you can push surgery out further. Especially if you’re as active as you say you are. We all grow up and grow older and at for our younger years stunts.
I has torn meniscus at 17 and after 3 months in a cast nothing changed except my leg muscles. Eventually had an open knee procedure in 1969 before scopes were invented for surgery and again 10 years later on the other knee. I’ve had no further issues 56 for 56 years and going.

That’s a tough decision. When I tore mine, I initially had pain, and surgery was recommended. ….a clean up not repair, since I was over 40. Later, as pain subsided I got a second opinion and was told not having surgery was a reasonable decision. It’s worked for me so far.

At your age, I would ask your surgeons about what age they will stop going for repair over clean up. Repair sounds ideal, but you are right about the risks. Can you get 2 or 3 opinions on this? Knee issues are huge and directly impact you life indefinitely. I’d get several opinions.

Root tears are different than other types of tears. I would consider that in your decision making.
A "Clean Up" will end up as arthritis esp if they remove any meniscus. If the tear gets caught, then you may need it to be functional.

@jenatsky do you mean you fixed your meniscus in 1969 and it lasted you till now? And 1979 you had another meniscus repair and all good till now.

I initially had the open procedure to remove the loose piece. The additional scopes were for assessment only as I do not recall them removing or adding anything. I’m assuming I still have some bone on bone but it has never bothered me and I still walk 2 miles daily. I’m knocking on wood that my knees are good and at 74 I have no intent on having more surgery in my life.