The aim of the present study was to compare the mechanical properties of the torn menisci between stable and ACL unstable knees. Material and method: Ten medial menisci from isolated bucket handle tears and ten from ACL deþcient knees (injury < 3 months) during ACL reconstruction were obtained after an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. They were þxed and tested mechanically in tension. The modulus of elasticity (E), maximum stress σmax, maximum load, and stress-strain curves were evaluated. Results: In the isolated tears E was 56.35 Mpa (median values) and in the ACL deþcient knees was 163.0 MPa and it was signiþcant (P=0,023). The maximum failure stress σmax was 9,22 Mpa for the þrst group and 17,26 Mpa for the latter and this was also signiþcant (P=0.04) Conclusions: The bucket handle torn menisci from the stable knees had inferior mechanical characteristics compared to the ACL deþcient knees. In other words isolated meniscal tears seem to be an inferior material compared to those of the ACL deþcient knees. The authors believe that it is worth considering a low cost and morbidity partial meniscectomy in isolated bucket handle tears, instead of a more demanding and long lasting meniscal repair operation followed by an also longer rehabilitation time.