Full recovery from meniscus surgery can take anywhere from six weeks to three months. Your care after surgery may involve: Crutches to take stress off the knee as it heals. Knee brace to stabilize the joint as you recover.
How long is non weight bearing after meniscus repair?
As this healing occurs, patients progress towards bearing weight, increasing their range of motion, and leaving the knee brace behind. How quickly this progress occurs varies by surgeon, but a typical range is 4-8 weeks. Patients are usually out of the brace and walking without crutches around 2-3 months.
How soon can you bend your knee after meniscus surgery?
Meniscus (cartilage) Repair patients cannot do twisting, pivoting, squatting, deep knee bends or impact activities for four months. It is vital that meniscus repair patients do not squat for at least four months after the repair.
How often should I do physical therapy after meniscus surgery?
For the best results, both home and in-person physical therapy exercises should be done. We recommend exercising at least 3 times per week after surgery. Rehab usually lasts 4 to 8 weeks. After this time, your therapist and surgeon may clear you to perform gym-based exercises.
What is the fastest way to recover from meniscus surgery?
You will recover more quickly if you carefully follow all your doctor’s instructions. In your first days after surgery, you will need apply ice frequently and elevate your knee above your heart to help relieve swelling. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, to help your body heal.
Can I climb stairs after meniscus surgery?
Avoid activities that cause pain or swelling to the knee. Examples include climbing stairs or standing or sitting for long periods. Begin other activities as advised by your doctor.
What should I avoid after meniscus surgery?
Avoid long periods of sitting (without leg elevated) or long distance traveling for 2 weeks. No driving until instructed otherwise by physician. May return to sedentary work only or school 2-3 days after surgery, as tolerated.
Should I wear a knee brace after meniscus surgery?
After the first two weeks, you can sleep without the brace if you prefer. In most meniscus repair cases the brace is recommended for the first 6 weeks after surgery.
Can you sleep on your side after meniscus surgery?
Sleeping on your back can be an adjustment in and of itself. If you do choose to sleep on your side, roll to the non-surgery side and put a pillow between your knees. Use this position only if you’re having no luck getting to sleep on your back, and remember not to bend the knee.
Is torn meniscus surgery worth it?
What are the benefits? Surgery to repair tears in the meniscus relieves symptoms 85% of the time. That means that of 100 people who have this surgery, 85 have relief from pain and can use their knee normally, while 15 do not. Surgery to repair tears may reduce the risk of long-term joint problems.
Can you overdo it after meniscus surgery?
The goal is to not be overly active. If the knee is not tremendously painful, walking can occur without crutches; however, do not overdo it in the first two to three days after surgery since this could result in more swelling than is necessary.
How do I rehab my knee after meniscus surgery?
- Quad sets, glute sets.
- Ankle pumps.
- Hamstring and calf stretches.
- Multi-angle isometrics for quads (90 to 60 degrees)
- Straight leg raises (multi-plane)
- Knee extension, open chain 90 to 40 degrees.
- Patellar mobs.
- Heel slides to tolerance.
Can physical therapy make a meniscus tear worse?
Physical Therapy vs Surgery for Knee Meniscus Tear In fact, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that physical therapy can be just as effective. Physical therapy for meniscal tears shows similar rates of functional improvement and pain scores as compared with meniscal surgery.
What are the side effects of meniscus surgery?
- You may still have pain and joint stiffness after surgery.
- Surgery has risks, such as: Infection. Damage to nerves or blood vessels around the knee. Blood clots in the leg. Damage to the joint. Risks from anesthesia.
- Your age and your health can also affect your risk.
Can I use a walker instead of crutches after meniscus surgery?
Activity: You should use cane, crutches or a walker for the first 3 to 5 days following surgery. As your knee feels more comfortable, you may increase the amount of weight you put on the operated leg. You may stop using the cane or crutches/walker once you can walk comfortably without a limp.
How long after meniscus surgery can I shower?
You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. When you shower, keep your bandage and incisions dry by taping a sheet of plastic to cover them. If you have a brace, take it off if your doctor says it is okay. It might help to sit on a shower stool.
How much does a meniscus surgery cost?
Arthroscopic surgery[2] , the standard outpatient treatment for more troublesome tears, typically costs about $7,400-$9,000 or more, depending on the age of the patient, the severity and exact location of the injury, whether related injuries are present, and the hospital where the procedure is performed.
What is the success rate of meniscus repair?
Success rates after meniscal repair range from 60% to 95%, but many reports are based on a small number of patients.
How often should you ice your knee after meniscus surgery?
Ice helps with the swelling and can help to decrease pain after surgery. For the first few days after the surgery, “the more, the better.” Ice for approximately 30 minutes 3–5 times per day. The first night and first day following surgery, you should ice as much as possible.
How long should I keep my knee wrapped after surgery?
While you can remove the white fluffy dressing the day after surgery, you should use the ace wrap for at least a few days after surgery, or as long as your leg or knee has some swelling. You should stop the Ace wrap about 9-12 days after surgery.
Which is worse lateral or medial meniscus tear?
Is the lateral meniscus tear worse than a medial meniscus tear? It is hard to differentiate what type of tear is worse if it is repairable. However, it is well known that if a lateral meniscus is taken out, the consequences are almost always worse than having a medial meniscus resected.
Is meniscus surgery painful?
Pain and pain management Arthroscopic meniscus repair is moderately painful. Because more soft tissue surgery is performed, it is more painful than a standard arthroscopy, but less painful than a ligament reconstruction or another procedure that requires drilling holes through the bone.
Why does my knee still hurt 3 months after meniscus surgery?
Most meniscal surgeries (95%) are partial meniscectomies where part of the meniscus is actually removed, not just repaired. Therefore, the remaining meniscus is now smaller and does not perform as well.
What is the best therapy for a torn meniscus?
- Rest. Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain, especially any activity that causes you to twist, rotate or pivot your knee.
- Ice. Ice can reduce knee pain and swelling.
- Medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers also can help ease knee pain.
What are 3 signs of a meniscus tear in the knee?
- A popping sensation.
- Swelling or stiffness.
- Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee.
- Difficulty straightening your knee fully.
- Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.
- Feeling of your knee giving way.