The overwhelming majority of meniscal tears need to be trimmed and the torn portion removed. Only a very small percentage can actually be repaired. The ACL is the main stabilizing ligament of the knee and secures the tibia to the femur. A young, active individual who has an ACL tear risks meniscal damage and arthritis withoout having surgery. Putting stitches into the torn ends never works to heasl the ligament.
Surgeons reconstruct the torn ligament with a donor tissue.
The donor tissue then becomes the new ACL and stabilizes the knee.