Meniscus Repair Post-Operative Physical Therapy Meniscus surgery is a common knee procedure that has different timelines in which patients should begin physical therapy (PT) to recover. Patients usually start PT around 4 weeks post-operatively with progressive rehabilitation to return them to more advanced activities. We break down the recovery process from multiple viewpoints below:
Timeline of Recovery
Phase 1 (Weeks Sliding Scale): The goal of this initial phase is to rest and protect the repair. In such instances, the patients are usually taught to rest and apply ice on their knee and practice compression as well as elevation of the leg — better referred to as RICE method. Too aggressive of exercises can potentially cause harm to the knee, so these ones are implemented safely.
Transition Phase (4-6 weeks): For 3 to 5 session a week, starting in this phase approximately around the fourth postoperative week, patients begin performing more kinetic chain activities. For that reason, it is very important to rebuild strength and range of motion within a controlled setting during this time with a professional.
Rehabilitation – Advanced Phase (6 Weeks and beyond) Patients may return to sports by 4-6 weeks
The Role Of Guided Rehabilitation
Physical therapy is a valuable component for reducing risks such as developing scar tissue and returning to athletics or daily activities in the least amount of time feasible. A customized rehabilitation program is aimed in optimizing recovery outcomes for patients, based on the kind of meniscal injury and surgical repair taken up.
Supervised PT may result in greater improvement compared to unsupervised exercise regimens, particularly for knee function and pain over time.
Risks of Prematurely Returning to Activity
Going back to sports or high-impact activities too early can also cause second injury. So, it is more important to strictly stick to the rehabilitation timeline suggested. Immediate discharge is not recommended, and patients should listen to their body’s signals; anyone who tries any similarly severe sports or martial arts practice without consulting the physical therapist treating them after a hip correction will regret it.
So overall, PT usually starts approximately 4 weeks after surgery for meniscus injury with a slow advancement process that is adjusted to the abilities of your body in recovery. This systematic approach is critical to maximal return in function and injury prevention.meniscus surgery rehabilitation (ad)
