A meniscus tear is a knee injury that is experienced by athletes and non-athletes. Often, no trauma occurs to cause a meniscus tear. Symptoms of a torn meniscus include pain, swelling and/or stiffness that may be accompanied by a catching/popping sensation in the affected knee. If you are exhibiting signs of a torn meniscus, an experienced orthopedic physician can offer advice on your best treatment option. Depending on the severity of your tear and factors such as your age, surgery may be recommended. As with any procedure, knowing what to expect after meniscus surgery is crucial when deciding whether to pursue this treatment.
What to Expect After Meniscus Surgery
Here are a few things to keep in mind about the recovery process for meniscus surgery:
- – Most patients are on crutches for only 1 or 2 days after surgery on the meniscus. Sometimes, you may be instructed to be on crutches for 4-6 weeks, but this is much less common. Prior to scheduling surgery, you’ll want to have a discussion with your orthopedic doctor about whether you will have such restrictions. This way, you can prepare accordingly by obtaining crutches if necessary.
- – You may also need to wear a brace after meniscus surgery to help stabilize your knee and control range of motion while it heals.
- – Physical therapy is commonly prescribed to help strengthen the knee and restore range of motion following meniscus surgery. Asking your orthopedic doctor whether you are likely to need physical therapy will help you know what to expect after meniscus surgery.
- – The timeline for your recovery will depend largely on what type of meniscus procedure you undergo. If part or all of your meniscus is removed through a meniscectomy, you can generally expect your recovery period to be about one month.
- – The recovery time for surgical meniscus repair can be a bit longer – around three months, generally speaking. Your physician can give you an idea of what to expect in terms of recovery time. Bare in mind that this will only be an estimate, as healing time varies from patient to patient.
Hopefully, this information has given you valuable insight into what to expect after meniscus surgery and you now feel better prepared to decide whether surgery is appropriate for you.
Reading, PA Residents Trust Dr. Soffer for Their Knee Care
Dr. Stephen Soffer is not only a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with years of experience in diagnosing and treating knee injuries, but also fellowship trained in knee surgery and shoulder surgery by Dr. James Andrews. When you see him for your knee care, Dr. Soffer will take a compassionate, individualized approach to alleviating your symptoms.
If Dr. Soffer suggests a surgical procedure for your meniscus injury, he will thoroughly explain what to expect after meniscus surgery. Whether you decide to pursue surgery or to try non-surgical methods, Dr. Soffer will offer the most cutting-edge treatments available.
If you are interested in exploring your knee care options with Dr. Soffer, call our office at 610-375-4949 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you recover from your knee injury and get back on your feet as quickly as possible.
