Meniscus injuries are a common source of knee problems, particularly among athletes and others who lead physically active lives. While surgical repair can help restore knee function, the question on most athletes’ minds is, how soon can I return to my sport?
Thomas E. Powell, MD, and the team at Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine are skilled in the most advanced sports medicine therapies, including state-of-the-art meniscus repair surgery. In this post, they offer some simple guidelines about what to expect during recovery and how quickly you may expect to return to the activities you love.
Before discussing recovery, it’s important to have a general understanding of meniscus injuries and the surgical approach used to repair them. A meniscus is a wedge-shaped piece of cartilage that cushions your knee and acts like a shock absorber and a secondary stabilizer. Each knee has two menisci, one located along the outside of your knee joint and one located along the inside of the joint.
Meniscus injuries or tears happen when the knee is twisted or subjected to extreme impacts like a severe fall or car accident. Some severe injuries require partial or complete replacement of a damaged meniscus, while other injuries can be repaired by joining the torn areas with sutures.
Dr. Powell typically uses a minimally invasive type of surgery called arthroscopy. This approach uses very small incisions and special instruments to facilitate faster recovery while reducing tissue damage associated with more invasive surgery. Following a rehabilitation plan after surgery is essential for getting you back to your regular routine.
While surgery may be able to mend a torn meniscus, that doesn't mean you can get right back to your regular activities. Like most orthopedic surgeries, meniscus repair is followed by a period of rehabilitation to improve healing and build strength, flexibility, and function in the joint and the muscles and tissues that support it.
Recovery and rehabilitation are designed to progress with you, with exercises and routines changing as your knee heals. The first few weeks of rehabilitation will primarily focus on reducing inflammation and improving the knee’s range of motion. However, after a meniscal repair, motion will limited for a period of time to allow healing. Strength-building typically occurs later, and over time, your rehab program can be tailored to the demands of your particular sports and lifestyle activities.
Over time, your therapist introduces new exercises and routines to restore normal knee function. Eventually, your routine includes activities that support a gradual return to your sport without putting too much strain on your knee.
So how long does all this take? Because your knees are weight-bearing joints and subjected to considerable strain during many sports, the timeline for your own recovery can vary, depending not only on your sport but also on how well your knee responds to rehab following surgery. Most patients can expect to return to their sport within about 3-6 months, but your recovery could be longer or shorter.
Meniscus injuries can definitely put a cramp in your lifestyle, but with prompt and appropriate treatment, including arthroscopic surgery and rehab, you can get back to your active lifestyle before you know it. Follow your plan, ask questions as they arise, and avoid pushing yourself too hard to prevent reinjuring the joint.
To learn more about knee surgery and recovery, call 205-606-5232 or request an appointment online with Powell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, today.
