Meniscectomy Surgery and Rehab 

Partial Meniscectomy Instructions

Initial Post Op Rehab

Brace: we recommend a sleeve brace to help with swelling

Weight Bearing: Crutches are used following surgery. You will be weight bearing as tolerated - put as much weight on the leg as comfortable while using an ambulation assistive device (walker, crutches, cane).

Physical Therapy o Prior to starting, and in addition to formal PT, do the following home exercises:

 Quad sets: 3 sets performed four times a daily. Sit or lie on your back with leg straight.  Tighten your quadriceps muscle on the front of the thigh.  Hold for 3 seconds, relax.  Repeat x 10.

 Heel pumps: 3 sets preformed four times daily. Sit or lie on your back with leg straight.  Bend your foot up and down at your ankle joint, pumping the foot.  Complete 10 pumps. 

 Straight Leg Raises: 3 sets preformed four times daily. Lie on your back with leg straight, flat on the bed. Start by tightening your quads, lift your leg off the bed until your heel isn't touching it anymore. Lower your leg down. Repeat as tolerated, work up to 10. 

Formal Rehab PT Protocol can be found HERE.

Meniscectomy Surgery

Acute meniscus tears often happen during sports. These can occur through either a contact or non-contact injury — for example, a pivoting or cutting injury.

As people age, they are more likely to have degenerative meniscus tears. Aged, worn tissue is more prone to tears. An awkward twist when getting up from a chair may be enough to cause a tear in an aging meniscus.

Knee arthroscopy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. In this procedure, the surgeon inserts a miniature camera through a small incision (portal) in the knee. This provides a clear view of the inside of the knee. Surgical instruments are inserted through two or three other small portals to trim or repair the tear.

 

Illustration and photo show a camera and instruments inserted through portals in a knee.

AAOS Info