If you just found out that the pain and swelling in your knee is a torn meniscus, you probably have a decision to make about how to treat it. A 12week exercise therapy program in middleaged patients with. Acl reconstruction rehabilitation protocol 10 caring for your knee 1 the first night and day after the surgery you can expect the bandages to get bloody. Mediallateral partial meniscectomy postoperative rehabilitation protocol. Wulf, md meniscal root repair mensical radial tear. The primary goal of this protocol is to protect the reconstruction while.
Dependent upon the location and size of the repair, weight bearing status postoperatively as well as the intensity and time frame of functional activities may vary. It is held together by several important ligaments. Athletes, particularly those who play contact sports, are at risk for meniscus tears. State of the art of rehabilitation protocols related to surgical procedures. Meniscus repair rehabilitation the following protocol is a guideline for rehabilitation following meniscus repair.
Postoperative knee meniscus repair rehabilitation protocol from san francisco orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon dr. Rehabilitation protocol for meniscus repair this protocol is intended to guide clinicians and patients through the postoperative course for a meniscus repair. If you have questions, contact the referring physician. This blood supply is necessary for a tear or a repair to heal. Knee arthroscopy meniscectomy anatomy and biomechanics. Change dressing, keep wound covered, continue ted hose pod 710.
Meniscal repair protocol brigham and womens hospital. The decision by the surgeon to repair or remove is based primarily on the location of the meniscal tear. Lowe this rehabilitation protocol was developed for patients who have isolated meniscal repairs. Find out when it helps, what to expect, and how long youll need to do it for. The outer onethird of the meniscus has a rich blood supply. The described neuromuscular and strengthtraining program should be considered for rehabilitation of middleaged individuals with degenerative meniscus tears. Knee meniscus repair post operative rehabilitation protocol.
Anterior cruciate ligament acl and meniscus repair rehabilitation protocol general notes. The treatment plan was designed for a soccer player who had a partially torn meniscus. Incorporate bilateral jumping and bounding exercises, making sure to watch for compensatory patterns and any signs of increased pronation andor valgus moment with takeoffs or landings. Fritz in a case study described the rehabilitation protocol used in the recovery phase of a young man after meniscus transplantation. When people talk about torn cartilage in the knee, they are usually referring to a torn meniscus. The protocol may be modified depending on the location and extent of the meniscal tear and subsequent repair. For most tears, some simple exercises can help maintain muscle strength in the front of the thigh quadriceps, back.
The purpose of this clinical commentary is to provide a brief background on meniscal root anatomy. The treatment chosen will depend on the location of the tear, the athletes sport, ligamentous stability of the. The intent of this protocol is to provide the clinician with a guideline of the postoperative rehabilitation course of a patient that has undergone a meniscal repair. For most tears, some simple exercises can help maintain muscle strength in the front of the thigh quadriceps, back of the thigh hamstr. Work with your doctor to plan a rehabilitation rehab program that helps you regain as much strength and. How well the knee will heal and whether surgery will be needed depends in large part on the type of tear see figure in appendix and how bad the tear is. Specific changes in the program will be made by the. The 2 therapists followed the same detailed test protocol, and 1 common practice session was performed prior to the start of the study. Additional studies are needed to better clarify the interplay between tear type, repair method and optimal rehabilitation protocol. Physical therapy exercises for a knee meniscus tear. You may do the rest of the exercises when the pain in your knee has decreased. Brace knee immobilizer ted hose to be worn until ambulation has returned to normal presurgery level or two weeks crutches. The medial meniscus is semicircular in shape and the lateral meniscus is almost a.
The primary goal of this protocol is to protect the reconstruction while steadily progressing towards and ultimately achieving. A 12week exercise therapy program in middleaged patients. The aim of phase 3 of a meniscus tear rehabilitation program is to ensure full range of movement in the knee, regain normal strength with the ability to perform a full squat and start to return to running and normal training. It can also be caused by wear and tear and doing everyday activities. Manual stretching for extension with overpressure or recurvatum. Common tears include longitudinal, parrotbeak, flap, bucket handle, and mixedcomplex. We have remained at the forefront of medicine by fostering a culture of collaboration, pushing the boundaries of medical research, educating the brightest medical minds and maintaining an unwavering commitment to the diverse communities we serve. They may also prescribe physical therapy and antiinflammatory. Gallandkirby acl reconstruction with meniscus repair postsurgical rehabilitation protocol postop days 1 14 dressing.
Rehabilitation protocol for meniscal repair rehabilitation guidelines. Knee arthroscopy meniscectomy south shore orthopedics. Rehabilitation depending on the severity of the damage the rehabilitation process may take from 412 weeks. Chief, division of sports medicine associate professor of orthopaedic surgery tel. Introduction the menisci reduce stress by increasing the. Meniscal root repair mensical radial tear repair this protocol provides general guidelines for initial stage and progression of rehabilitation according to specified time frames, related tissue tolerance and directional preference of movement. Small meniscal tears commonly medial tears will often lead to a quicker rehabilitation period than a more complicated tear, especially if the lateral meniscus is. After meniscal surgery, rehabilitation with a physical therapist or athletic trainer is needed to restore range of motion, strength, movement control and guide the athletes return to sport. Antonio f, raffaello f, erika g, costanza f, patrizia p. Rehabilitation exercises a meniscus tear is a common knee joint injury. Specific intervention should be based on the needs of the individual and should consider exam findings and clinical decision making. Acl reconstruction with meniscal repair rehabilitation protocol.
Specific time frames, restrictions and precautions. Manske claimed that meniscus transplants are under more stress in a joint with early degenerative processes, consequently a conservative rehabilitation protocol results more appropriate49. The orthopedic surgeon may modify the time frames and weight bearing status, as necessary, to allow adequate healing time. The intent of this protocol is to provide the clinician with a guideline of the post operative rehabilitation course of a patient that has undergone. Meniscal cartilage tear exercises summit medical group. Gentle strengthening protecting the healing meniscus. The following is a protocol for postoperative patients following an isolated meniscus repair. Knee pain, meniscus tear everything you need to know. The gundersen sports medicine meniscus repair rehabilitation program is an. Rehabilitation guidelines for meniscal repair uw health. Jan 16, 2016 postoperative knee meniscus repair rehabilitation protocol from san francisco orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon dr. The intent is to provide the therapist with a general framework. The medial meniscus is semicircular in shape and the lateral meniscus is almost a complete circle.
The types of meniscus tear are classified as longitudinal, double longitudinal, horizontal, radial, or flap tear, all of which are repairable when there is. The first phase is designed to protect the repair and allow for maximal healing. Using therapeutic exercises, a rehabilitation program can be created for athletes who do not wish to pursue surgery. Re 17 chris ales m 7 rtho ln rownsbur i 6112 317263632 rthoindcom acl reconstruction with meniscal repair rehabilitation protocol basic acl protocol but no passive range of motion prom greater than 90 degrees for four weeks. Small meniscal tears commonly medial tears will often lead to a quicker rehabilitation period than a more complicated tear, especially if the lateral meniscus is injured. However, headtohead comparison of programs in a randomized design is needed to determine if this specific program is significantly better than other interventions. Bledsoe style brace for concomitant gr iii mcl injury if present. Wilk, pt, dpt general principles this protocol for rehabilitation after knee meniscus repair surgery is designed to provide the rehabilitation professional with a general guideline for patient care with the alterg antigravity treadmill antigravity treadmill. Background exercise is a viable treatment alternative to arthroscopic partial meniscectomy in patients with degenerative meniscus tears. When the meniscus root is repaired there will be a prolonged. Meniscus repair rehabilitation program gundersen health system. The rehabilitation guidelines following meniscal repair at our institution are divided into three phases and are outlined in table 2.
Anterior cruciate ligament acl and meniscus repair. Do this exercise if you are unable to extend your knee. Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries. Meniscal repairs located in the vascular zones of the periphery or outer third of the meniscus are progressed more rapidly than those repairs that are. Often times these tears can be diagnosed by taking a thorough history and completing a physical examination. Knee arthroscopy with meniscus repair rehab protocol longitudinal bucket handle tears this protocol provides you with general guidelines for initial stage and progression of rehabilitation according to specified time frames, related tissue tolerance and directional preference of movement. Physical therapy pt can be useful for a torn meniscus whether or not you have surgery. Rehabilitation is initiated immediately postoperatively. If an athlete suffers a meniscal root tear, the three options for treatment. Patients should be weaned into a home program with emphasis on their particular activity.
Jan 21, 20 manske claimed that meniscus transplants are under more stress in a joint with early degenerative processes, consequently a conservative rehabilitation protocol results more appropriate49. Rest and elevate the knee when not doing your rehabilitation exercises. The knee is also cushioned during weight bearing by two cartilaginous discs, called the medial inside and lateral outside menisci. Rehabilitation guidelines for meniscal repair of root and. Be sure to rotate your leg outward laterally slightly to gain a better activation of the medial inner side of the quadriceps. Op rehabilitation protocol the following is a protocol for postoperative patients following an isolated meniscus repair. Hospital has accepted this protocol as our standard protocol for the management of patients sp meniscal repair. Complete and pass sports test 1, initiate pre running drillsplyometric. The knee is a hinge joint at the connection point between the femur and tibia bones. As tolerated should be understood to include with safety for the reconstructionrepair. Meniscus rehab exercises the physical therapy advisor. The lateral translates 9 to 11mm in the anterioposterior plane. A meniscus tear is a common knee injury that often affects people who play contact sports.