If only surgical treatment worked so perfectly that the patient would hop of the operating table, cured, with no painful recovery required. For knee surgery, that is not the case.
Today, most surgical procedures on the crescent-shaped, fibrous knee joint cartilage called the meniscus are performed with tiny incisions, cameras and instruments. Thus, the recovery timeframe is much shorter than for the once more common open-knee surgeries.
The meniscus, the knee’s shock absorber, is composed of rings of spongy cartilage located between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). When the meniscus is torn by injury and surgery is recommended, postsurgical measures frequently include the use of crutches. How long you use them will depend on several factors, including whether the meniscus tear was actually repaired or if, more simply, a piece of it was just removed (partial meniscectomy).
With a partial meniscectomy, crutches may be needed until you can walk without limping (usually five to seven days). With a proper rehabilitation program, you can usually expect to resume sports within four to six weeks after the surgery.
Following a repair, you will typically use crutches for at least three weeks to allow the repaired tissue to become attached and to avoid retearing the meniscus. Maximal weight training is not allowed for two to three months, and a return to running and agility sports is permitted after three to four months if strength and motion have returned and there is no pain in the joint. Of course, your pre- and postoperative condition and the progress of your overall recovery will influence that timeframe.
In addition to using crutches, you may also engage in physical therapy to
- strengthen your leg muscles
- strengthen and regain full motion in your knee
- return to a normal activity level
We will be happy to work with you and your surgeon to customize a physical therapy plan that will meet your goal of returning to work, home responsibilities and sports as quickly, comfortably and safely as possible.
