How Long Does Meniscus Repair Take To Heal?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Full recovery from meniscus surgery can take anywhere from

six weeks to three months

. Your care after surgery may involve: Crutches to take stress off the knee as it heals. Knee brace to stabilize the joint as you recover.

How long does pain last after meniscus repair?

The pain settles

usually within two to three weeks, but may take upwards of six weeks

. Swelling in the whole knee up to six weeks. Tenderness around the wound sites up to four weeks. Muscle wasting in the thigh, improves as swelling and pain decrease.

What is the fastest way to recover from meniscus surgery?

You will recover more quickly if you

carefully follow all your doctor’s instructions

. In your first days after surgery, you will need apply ice frequently and elevate your knee above your heart to help relieve swelling. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, to help your body heal.

How long after meniscus surgery can I bend my knee?

Meniscus (cartilage) Repair patients cannot do twisting, pivoting, squatting, deep knee bends or impact activities for

four months

. It is vital that meniscus repair patients do not squat for at least four months after the repair.

Why does my knee still hurt 3 months after meniscus surgery?


Swelling, infection, inadequate rehabilitation, spontaneous osteonecrosis, and arthritis in the joint

are a few of the factors that cause continued knee pain after surgery.

How do you know if your meniscus repair failed?

If the knee does well and there are no significant symptoms, then it follows that the tear must have healed up and the repair was successful.

If, however, a patient is unlucky enough to develop recurrent symptoms and ongoing problems with the knee

, then the assumption is that the attempted repair has failed.

Why does my knee hurt worse after meniscus surgery?

That’s where – because a portion of the meniscus has been removed, the bones around the knee joint “see” more stress when you walk and they react by becoming very inflamed and can actually at it’s worse, cause a stress fracture which is quite painful.

Why does the back of my knee hurt after meniscus surgery?

People have knee pain after meniscus surgery because

some of them had too much meniscus removed

. The meniscus is a pad. It acts as a shock absorber to prevent the bottom of the thigh bone from crashing into the top of the shin bone.

Can a meniscus tear lead to knee replacement?

Conclusions: In patients with knee osteoarthritis

arthroscopic knee surgery with meniscectomy is associated with a three fold increase in the risk for future knee replacement surgery

.

Why is my knee so tight after meniscus surgery?


The fluid in your knee often remains there for at least 4-6 weeks after surgery until your body can reabsorb it

. This fluid will make your knee feel tight or stiff, especially with deep knee bending or squatting.

How do I strengthen my knee after meniscus surgery?

  1. Quad sets.
  2. Straight-leg raise to the front.
  3. Straight-leg raise to the back.
  4. Hamstring curls.
  5. Heel raises.
  6. Heel dig bridging.
  7. Shallow standing knee bends.

Is walking good for meniscus tear?


Many people with a torn meniscus can still walk with the injury

. Some athletes may even continue to play their sport with the injury, especially immediately after the incident as it may take several days for the stiffness and swelling to develop fully.

Can you have meniscus surgery twice?


If that repaired meniscus does not heal, you will typically need a second surgery

, often just 9-12 months down the line.

Why does my knee still hurt 5 months after meniscus surgery?


Most meniscal surgeries (95%) are partial meniscectomies where part of the meniscus is actually removed, not just repaired

. Therefore, the remaining meniscus is now smaller and does not perform as well.

What happens if meniscus surgery doesn’t work?

Following a failed meniscal repair your doctor will recommend

conservative therapy with pain medication and activity modification if the symptoms are minimal

. If a residual tear is diagnosed, the meniscus may be trimmed before considering a second surgical repair of the meniscus.

Can a meniscus Retear after surgery?

An attempt should be made to preserve meniscal function by repairing tears, but

even after arthroscopic confirmation of stable healing repaired menisci may tear again

. The long-term rate of healing may not be as high as is currently reported.

What is the difference between meniscus repair and Meniscectomy?

Meniscus Tear Removal vs.

There are two basic approaches to treating a torn meniscus:

removing the torn part of the meniscus (a procedure called a meniscectomy); repairing the meniscus by suturing the torn parts together

.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.