Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair Surgery
Meniscus repair surgery is intended to preserve meniscus tissue and help you retain use of your knee. Once your meniscus is repaired and you undergo proper rehabilitation and physical therapy, you will see an improvement in your ability to:
- Bend your knee at (or near) a 90-degree angle
- Absorb the shock of physical activity without significant pain
- Perform weight-bearing motions
Meniscus repair is minimally invasive, which means your recovery time is likely to be much shorter and you may regain use of your knee more quickly. Though this form of surgery generally allows for a speedier recovery, your knee must still be protected postoperatively in order to avoid further injury.
What Will Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Be Like?
Orthopedic surgeons often recommend 30-minute exercise intervals 3 times a day after a meniscus repair surgery. Staying on top of your therapy and undergoing the prescribed amount of stretching, walking, and exercise is absolutely essential to making a full recovery.
Weeks 1-4
Generally speaking, you will wear a brace for at least 4 weeks after your surgery. During this time, the primary focus of your rehabilitation and physical therapy will be to reduce pain and swelling and work on your passive range of motion by doing the following:
- Dangling your leg off the edge of the bed to gently stretch and passively flex the knee
- Walk with a brace that keeps your knee locked into position in order to gradually improve weight-bearing status (using crutches for the first few weeks)
- Engage in aerobic exercises such as cycling and rowing without using the affected leg
Weeks 4-8
After 4 weeks, your doctor will typically remove your brace and your workout and therapy regimen will change. The next phase of your recovery will involve working on functional motion, regaining strength increasing your passive range of motion to 135 degrees, and increasing your body’s ability to tolerate weight-bearing exercise, such as:
- Walking unassisted without (full weight-bearing status)
- Full squats, in which thighs are parallel to the floor
- Climbing steps
- Seated leg press
Weeks 8-16
This is when you will begin to feel as though you are nearing the point of full recovery and use of your knee. While you are certainly on your way to mobility and proper joint function, you must continue and complete physical therapy in order to achieve the best results.
At this phase of your recovery, you can expect the following out of your physical therapy:
- Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, cycling, etc.
- Lateral strengthening exercises such as squats, step-ups, etc.
- Full range of motion restored
Full Recovery Requires an Experienced Physical Therapist
At ProFysio Physical Therapy, we have the knowledge, experience, and expertise necessary to help you regain weight-bearing ability, complete range of motion, and full use of your knee. If you are preparing to undergo meniscus repair surgery, it’s not too early to get in touch with one of our physical therapists in Aberdeen and begin making the necessary preparations.
Contact us to learn about the knee rehab and physical therapy we offer, and schedule your first appointment by calling (732) 333-6360 today.