Rehab After Meniscus Repair Surgery

Rehabilitation following a meniscus repair is more significant than if the torn piece of meniscus is simply removed through a partial meniscectomy. If the torn meniscus is removed, the patient is usually up and walking within a day or two of surgery, and back to normal activities within several weeks. Following a meniscus repair, the rehab is more extensive.

meniscus repair rehab
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Because your surgeon will not know with certainty if a meniscus repair can be performed prior to arthroscopic knee surgery, patients should understand that their rehabilitation will not be certain until the exact surgical procedure is known.

Therefore, patients having meniscus surgery should be aware that rehab may be more extensive and restrictive if a meniscus repair is performed. Exactly what rehabilitation is needed depends on several factors, and you should always check with your healthcare provider prior to initiating or changing your post-operative rehab in any way.

This is especially important because there are other procedures that may be performed at the same time as the meniscus repair that may alter the normal post-operative rehab schedule.

Typical Rehab Schedule

There is quite a lot of controversy in the sports medicine world as to "the best" rehabilitation from meniscus repair surgery. Traditionally, the rehab was very slow, with activities restricted for many months after surgery.

More recently, faster rehab has been attempted. However, there is still no consensus, and many surgeons vary in their recommendations. Always follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions for post-operative rehab.

The most common rehab after meniscus repair is listed here. It is about 'middle of the road' between very conservative and very aggressive.

Immediately Post-Operative

Upon awakening in the recovery room, patients are placed in a knee brace. The brace used may either be a knee immobilizer or a hinged knee brace. A knee immobilizer holds the knee fully extended, while a hinged knee brace can allow for controlled motion of the knee.

If a hinged knee brace is used, it is locked with the knee fully straight. Patients are given crutches and instructed to walk with the crutches. Most often, patients will be allowed to place weight on the operated leg so long as the knee is held fully straight (either with a knee immobilizer or a hinged knee brace locked in extension).

The First Weeks

Patients can remove the knee brace or immobilizer while not walking and bend the knee. Your surgeon will typically restrict the amount you can bend your knee, since pressure on the meniscus increases as you bend your knee.

Often the brace will allow the knee to only bend a certain amount, such as 60 or 90 degrees, depending on your surgeon's recommendation. Patients should continue to use a brace whenever walking, and only place weight on the leg if the knee is held fully straight by the brace.

The First Months

After a month or so, the emphasis is placed on regaining more mobility. Patients can generally walk with the knee in the brace, but usually, within six weeks the knee is allowed to bend while walking. Strenuous activities are still restricted as the meniscus continues to heal.​

Three to Four Months

By three to four months, most surgeons will allow a return to full activities and no longer protect the knee. Patients must slowly return to sports and competition, but they no longer have restrictions on motion and do not require the use of a brace.

As stated before, this is just an example of a possible rehab protocol after meniscus repair surgery. Many surgeons differ in their preference and depending on other work that may have been done at the time of surgery the rehab can vary significantly. Some surgeons are pursuing a more aggressive rehab plan.

The reason for restrictions is that biomechanics studies demonstrate increased stress on the meniscus with bending (flexion) and twisting (rotation) of the knee.

However, it has not been clearly shown that these forces limit the healing of a repaired meniscus. That said, most surgeons presume they can impact healing, and therefore have the aforementioned restrictions.

You should always follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions, and if you have questions about your rehab ask your healthcare provider's opinion.

Complications of Meniscus Repair Surgery

There are potential complications of surgery that can impact the healing and recovery from a meniscus repair. The most concerning complications are injuries to the large nerves and blood vessels that are found in the back of the knee joint.

Blood vessel injury can lead to serious problems that can require emergency treatment to save the limb. These complications are very rare but have been reported to have occurred in people undergoing meniscus repair surgery.

Two large nerves, one on the inside and one on the outside of the knee, are exposed to potential harm during meniscus repair surgery. The peroneal nerve is on the outer side of the knee and provides sensation over the top of the foot and ankle, and the ability to point your ankle upward (dorsiflex the foot). Injury to this nerve can affect these functions.

On the inner side of the knee is the saphenous nerve. Injury to the saphenous nerve during medial meniscus repair can alter sensation in the foot and ankle.

Other risks of meniscus repair surgery include those also seen in knee arthroscopy. Meniscus repair is considered a very safe surgical procedure, with a low chance of complications and an exceedingly low risk of serious complications.

That said, complications can make your recovery much more challenging and your outcome less successful. Working closely with your surgeon and therapist throughout your recovery process can help to ensure you manage any issues or concerns as quickly as possible.

A Word From Verywell

Meniscus repair surgery has a longer and more specific recovery following surgery than typical arthroscopic knee surgery. It is important to protect the healing meniscus to ensure the best possible outcome.

Once the meniscus is healed, a full return to activity is anticipated, but it takes at least three months for full meniscus tissue healing. Full recovery from surgery can take even longer.

4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. Spang Iii RC, Nasr MC, Mohamadi A, DeAngelis JP, Nazarian A, Ramappa AJ. Rehabilitation following meniscal repair: a systematic reviewBMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2018;4(1):e000212. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2016-000212

  3. Gwathmey FW, Golish SR, Diduch DR. Complications in brief: meniscus repair. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2012;470(7):2059-66. doi:10.1007/s11999-012-2303-x

  4. Friberger pajalic K, Turkiewicz A, Englund M. Update on the risks of complications after knee arthroscopy. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2018;19(1):179. doi:10.1186/s12891-018-2102-y

Cluett

By Jonathan Cluett, MD
Jonathan Cluett, MD, is board-certified in orthopedic surgery. He served as assistant team physician to Chivas USA (Major League Soccer) and the United States men's and women's national soccer teams.