Included studies were those with levels of evidence 1 through 4, with minimum 2 years follow-up and in an English publication. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28815275 . Patients are usually out of the brace and walking without crutches around 2-3 months. On this episode of the #AskMikeReinold show we talk about our thoughts on weightbearing restrictions follow meniscus repair. This will involve either a partial meniscectomy, or repair surgery. Patients who are unsuitable for repair are generally treated non-surgically, with tablets and perhaps an injection of corticosteroid to minimise pain. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. Even if you forego the crutches, you may wish to continue wearing the knee brace to improve stability and reduce the risk of over-straining the joint. The knee meniscus: Management of traumatic tears and degenerative lesions. See video here: Goblet squats. One of the best squat variations, the goblet squat exercise targets the core and legs while adding resistance to improve strength. Meniscus Surgery is one of the most common knee surgeries in orthopedics today. NCI CPTC Antibody Characterization Program, Barber FA, Schroeder FA, Oro FB, Beavis RC. meniscus; rehabilitation; repair; weightbearing. Meniscectomy, or removal of torn meniscus tissue, typically has no post-op restrictions. Meniscus tears can occur from an injury or wear and tear on the joint over time. Recovery time from a partial meniscectomy (partial removal of the meniscus) is quicker than recovery from a meniscus repair. Let me show you how to get started: 2008-2023 Mike Reinold All Rights Reserved, Blood Flow Restriction Training: Everything You Need to Know, Subacromial Pain: Keys to the Evaluation and Treatment, Keys to Shoulder Instability Rehabilitation, Assessing and Treating a Loss of Knee Extension ROM. This exercise is a standard across all knee surgeries and should be done as frequently as possible. . Perkins C, et al. This is a great exercise to do early in rehab tp the strengthen the hip. See video here: Side lying hip abduction. Each time you should start increasing the amount of weight put into the surgical leg until you can do a single leg balance with minimal pain. One source even quotes the incidence as high as 1 in 300 people with have surgery on their meniscus. Should we Still be Using Rehabilitation Protocols? Theres a lot to explore here! Conclusion: Weight bearing as tolerated after meniscal repair for peripheral, vertical tears does not result in a higher failure rate than traditional, non-weight bearing over a five-year follow-up period. These hoop stresses are thought to be helping the healing process in many tears by approximating the tissue. Depending on the extent of your meniscus tear, your surgeon may recommend removing or repairing part of the meniscus via a knee arthroscopy. Weight-bearing is gradually progressed as shown in Table 30-1, and patients are encouraged to use a normal gait that avoids a locked knee and assumes normal flexion throughout the gait cycle. Our detailed examination process, all our treatment progressions, and detailed information on nonoperative and postoperative treatment of ACL, patellofemoral, meniscus, articular cartilage, osteoarthritis injuries, and so much more. In terms of location for meniscus tears, 25% tear in the outer layer. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. While we lean towards allowing weightbearing, there are some important things you have to consider. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil. Protected weight bearing for 4-6wks with crutches. The site is secure. Then slowly bring yourself back up. Knee arthroscopy repair: Generally, this requires a period of limited weight-bearing, including the use of crutches or a walker. Surgery on the meniscus is done by an orthopedic surgeon. Rehabilitation following a meniscus repair has to be more conservative, however, despite research saying otherwise, there are still many rehabilitation protocols floating around the orthopaedic and sports medicine world that recommend limiting weight-bearing and range of motion after a meniscal repair. To assess the value of postoperative limits to motion, weight bearing, and agility activities, a comparison was made of our previously published "standard" rehabilitation program with an "accelerated" program permitting unlimited weight bearing, full motion, and no restrictions on pivoting sports. Theyll help you make the best decision based on your age, overall health, and lifestyle. Goals: 1. There is so much "Just DO It". If the eccentric step down is our favorite exercise then this is a close second one. So, the best answer will be, it's completely dependent on their body muscles and their daily routine . Surgery for a meniscus tear - Trimming vs. repair. The first weeks you will use this many times a day. While there are some initial inconveniences associated with the surgery and healing process, the long-term benefits of addressing this condition at the earliest stages are more than worth it. Thankfully, the surgery required to fix torn knee cartilage (also known as meniscus) can be done through a very small incision that leaves minimal scarring that will fade over time. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Fast-Fix meniscal repair: mid-term results. Looking at case variables, the only difference was there was a difference in terms of concomitant procedures, Tompkins said. This timeline can vary depending on the patients age, fitness level, and commitment to appropriate physiotherapy following the procedure. The Injury: What came first, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or my awesome dancing at a wedding? (2017). With a meniscus repair you may be allowed to bear some weight on your repaired knee with the assistance of crutches and a brace immediately following surgery. I want to help you learn to do the same. One involves repairing the meniscus, or sewing it back together. We typically immobilize people in full extension during weightbearing, locked in a brace for 4-6 weeks after meniscal repair surgery. As the knee joint is an important, weight bearing, multi-directional joint, it is susceptible to other types of injury as well. Following your prescribed exercises as directed will go a long way towards ensuring a complete return to healthy knee function. This does not necessarily mean that the tears occurring on the inner portion have to have surgery as many people have meniscus tears and do not even realize it. A relatively early weight-bearing protocol for meniscal repair can be applied because the repaired meniscus can be spared from weight-bearing by the load-shifting effect of the OWHTO. Timeline In general 6-12 weeks and you will be back to normal. We start with a reverse lunge vs a forward lunge because it is less stress and force through the knee joint. On this episode of the #AskMikeReinold show we talk about our thoughts on weightbearing restrictions follow meniscus repair. My physio is limited to the meniscus repair plan (more conservative than just ACL) but I was allowed to weight bear right away. Wear a knee brace as directed by your doctor. I had a feeling I'd gotten a repair done instead of a removal, and was quickly told that was the case. This is often found on most MRIs especially in older patients and is not considered serious. Blood Flow Restriction Training is an exciting new adjunct to exercise. This does most often require surgery to fix the motion block. This might make all the difference in the degree of treatment and recovery time that will be required. Activate the quadriceps muscles . Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Use of Crutches Following Meniscal Repair-Crutches for partial weight bearing should be used by this stage and progression to full weight bearing should be achieved by the 10th week following meniscal repair knee surgery. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Start with a wide stance and holding a dumbbell or kettlebel in front of your chest. I help people feel better, move better, and perform better. This is better long term, but it means you need to keep off of that leg in order for the meniscus to heal. It usually takes about 4 to 8 weeks for patients to increase weight bearing and range of motion. These types of tears often do not need or respond well to surgery. This is the beginnings of single leg squat trainging. that showed excellent results in patients undergoing a combined ACL-meniscus repair procedure and utilizing no limitations in weightbearing or range of motion, similar to a protocol for an isolated ACL reconstruction. 2011;34:298-305. See video here: Quad sets with heel prop. If youre experiencing possible symptoms of a torn meniscus, your doctor may recommend the RICE method as their initial approach: Icing the affected knee and taking a break from sports or other vigorous activities can help lower inflammation and prevent further damage. Careers. Squat down as deep as the knee will tolerate and hold for 2-3 seconds. Arthroscopy. Epub 2017 Aug 16. Although, many patients can walk without a knee brace and crutches in about 2-3 months. Try to perform slow and controlled, the slower the better to get muscle growth. Recovery time for a Meniscus knee scope varies depending on the type of surgery performed. Usually patient's are non-weight bearing for 4-6 weeks after meniscus repair surgery. See video: Bulgarian Split Squat. 2022 Aug 5;23(1):753. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05662-6. Your orthopedic surgeon will be able to explain the options available to you based on the status of your injury, and answer questions about potential outcomes. J Orthop Res. Doctors will usually advise against performing certain exercises when you have a meniscus tear. Pts are usually walking without crutches within a weeks time. Its important to be aware of possible complications that may arise from a meniscus surgery. This is not a substitute for a medical appointment. The repeated stress of weight-bearing exercise causes the bone to thicken and strengthen, so it is a vital part of rehabilitation. So, if you're wondering what to expect after meniscus surgery, well, I'm your gal. With walking projected at about 10 days. This meant: -No weight bearing/must be on crutches for 6 weeks. This is dependent on the surgeon and a great question to ask. For this reason, flexion is controlled after meniscus repair and weight bearing directed by the extent of the tear and repair. The first thing to emphasize is that I allow full weight bearing immediately after surgery. They may also debride or clean up the edges of the tear. Resting when you feel tired, getting plenty of sleep, and eating a healthy diet can all be helpful in ensuring a quicker recovery. Further use of the injured menisci can lead to chronic swelling, pain, and clicking noises. How low are you going to go? Effect of Meniscal Treatment on Functional Outcomes 6 Months After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. To thicken and strengthen, so it is a standard across all surgeries. 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