arthroscopic knee surgery recovery time meniscus

If you tear your meniscus, your leg might swell and feel stiff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Recovery will take about four to six weeks, depending on the surgical approach used. But each person recovers at a different pace. Surgery to repair a torn meniscus involves rehabilitation, although it varies depending on the injury, the type of surgery, and your orthopedist's preference. Most likely, your doctor will recommend that you rest, use pain relievers, and apply ice to you knee to keep the swelling down. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts. Most patients take a few days or a long weekend off work. © Copyright 1995-2020 Regents of the University of Michigan. 2  To learn more about what “arthroscopic surgery” looks like, click here. Meniscus repair surgery. This is highly dependent on the type of meniscus surgery performed. Most commonly, part of the meniscus is removed; this is called a partial meniscectomy. Complications are rare. Recovery from arthroscopic meniscus tear surgery is relatively quick, and most people can resume normal activities within a few weeks. Every recovery is different and depends on many things. Bending is typically restricted to not more than 90 degrees for first 4 to 6 weeks to allow the meniscus to heal. Arthroscopic knee surgery can increase a patient's risk of developing a knee infection. Book a Complimentary Consult For patients outside of the Bay Area 415-563-3110. Typical recovery timeline: 8-12 weeks The stronger your leg is and the more flexible it is prior to surgery the easier your recovery might be. 4.2 Will I need to take medications? The symptoms of enduring a meniscus tear greatly depend on the magnitude and the location of the injury. If your right knee was operated on, it may be up to 2 weeks before the knee is strong enough to hit the brakes to drive safely. 2 to 7 days. Drive, if the affected leg is to be used for gas and brake or for clutch. NOTICE: This health information was not created by the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) and may not necessarily reflect specific UMHS practices. If you had a partial meniscectomy, you might be able to play sports in about 4 to 6 weeks. COVID-19 Vaccines: Information about COVID-19 vaccines and how we're preparing for distribution. Main navigation. Knee resurfacing. 4 to 6 weeks. Knee arthroscopy surgery has risen to popularity because it usually requires shorter recovery times.The procedure typically takes less than 1 hour, and serious complications are uncommon. Your doctor might choose to do any of the following: Meniscus repair is low-risk. You have regained motion with minimal pain. The most common knee surgery performed on seniors, repair of torn meniscus cartilage, is not only costly but often doesn't work. These are called menisci. The risk of injury increases as you get older, when bones and tissues around the knee begin to wear down. This will help to strengthen the muscles around your knee and keep it stable. Walk without crutches. If you had meniscus repair, it may be 3 to 6 months before you can play sports. © 1995-2020 Healthwise, Incorporated. The pain relief is dramatic, and the postoperative incision pain is quite minimal. How quickly this progress occurs varies by surgeon, but a typical range is 4-8 weeks. That’s a thin tool that has a camera and light at the end. As this healing occurs, patients progress towards bearing weight, increasing their range of motion, and leaving the knee brace behind. Typically, the Kennedy Center uses what’s called “arthroscopic surgery” to help minimize trauma and speed up recovery time. You will typically be able to go home one or two hours after the operation once you are stabilized and are able to stand and walk or move from a bed into a chair. Recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery can range from two weeks to a few months. – The recovery time for surgical meniscus repair can be a bit longer – around three months, generally speaking. If part or all of your meniscus is removed through a meniscectomy, you can generally expect your recovery period to be about one month. They may also suggest physical therapy. If your doctor’s exam shows your meniscus tear is mild (Grade 1 or 2), you may not need surgery. after meniscus tear surgery, you may have to wear a brace or cast to keep your knee stable. Learn how we develop our content. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. For heavy work, it may take 4 to 6 weeks before the leg is strong enough to allow for working. If your meniscus was repaired, it may take as long as 3 months. How quickly this progress occurs varies depending on the surgeon, but the usual timeframe is 4-8 weeks for your knee to completely adjust. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 5 What kind of complications may occur after surgery? 4.1 How long is recovery for meniscus surgery? ☛ In case of a hairline rupture of the meniscus, inflammation accompanied with discomfort may be experienced for a few da… The infection can develop along the skin at the incision site or within the knee joint itself. If you're living with knee pain, try these. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? MRI and knee arthroscopy surgery are used for diagnosis. To be sure, your doctor will probably have an MRI done. Most people can get back to desk work, school or sedentary activity 3 to 5 days after surgery. You might feel pain when twisting your knee, or be unable to straighten your leg fully. Search. Click to enlarge Arthroscopic Meniscectomy - MRI showing a torn meniscus Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. They may also share some exercises you can do at home. Patients are usually out of the brace and walking without crutches around 2-3 months. 1 to 2 weeks, if: All rights reserved. I have lived with this since, now June 2020. In general, meniscus surgery is followed by a period of rest, walking, and selected exercises. Physical therapy is often necessary in the recovery process. Right away, but only with a brace. Occasionally, depending on the tear pattern and type, a repair of the meniscus tear would be performed. 4.4 Will there be weight bearing restrictions? Prehab, or physical therapy before surgery could be important. “In spite of these early reports, middle-aged and older patients with a painful knee and suspected meniscus or cartilage lesion have become by far the most common patient group to be treated with arthroscopic knee surgery. History: I had arthroscopic surgery on each knee for meniscus tear, right was done around 1997, left done around 2010. You may have to wear a brace or cast to keep your knee stable. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Arthroscopic meniscus repair generally takes between an hour and an hour and a half. It depends on your comfort level. They may include injury to skin nerves, infections, and knee stiffness. Therefore repair of meniscus with surgery rather than its removal is a favored procedure, to prevent the risk of early degeneration of the knee joint. Patients can walk and move normally, so long as they don't have pain. Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter. Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. The surgery recovery timeline for these repairs is much longer than just a “scope” or “cleaning up” debridement procedure and will likely last 4-8 months in Physical Therapy depending on progress and goals. you’ll probably have to use crutches for at least a month to keep weight off your knee. Only the torn segment of the meniscus is removed. You’ll likely also have to use crutches for at least a month to keep weight off your knee. Bear weight (put weight on your knee while standing or walking), Drive, if the affected leg is to be used for gas and brake or for clutch. If you have a partial or total meniscectomy, you can expect your recovery to take about a month. Search. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: “Arthroscopy.”, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington: “Torn Meniscus,” “Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair,” “Meniscectomy.”. Complete disclaimer. After your knee arthroscopy, you will be brought to a recovery room where your vital signs will be monitored as the effects of the anesthesia begin to wear off. They also help to keep your knee stable. For patients outside of the Bay Area. Recovery time from a partial meniscectomy (partial removal of the meniscus knee cartilage) is quicker than recovery from a meniscus repair. Bear weight (put weight on your knee while standing or walking) Right away, as tolerated. Recovery was good for each, with PT for weeks, icing, Motrin and ES Tylenol as needed. Trusted Arthroscopic Knee Surgery And Meniscal Repair Specialist serving Jupiter, FL. Types Knee. Preparation: The concept of recovery begins before surgery. Additionally, there are risks associated … Arthroscopic meniscectomy is an outpatient minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat a torn meniscus cartilage in the knee. Some patients require assistance from physical therapists postoperatively. I have bad pain often, unable to climb and descend stairs properly. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. For most meniscectomies, patients can resume their activities as tolerated. Author: Healthwise Staff Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Patrick J. McMahon, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine, Medical Review:William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Patrick J. McMahon, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine. Care for Bumps, Bruises, Sprains, and Strains, Robert Smith, Running Back for the Minnesota Vikings. Depending on how much other surgery is necessary to take care of other problems in the knee, the time may be a bit more or less. Meniscus Tear - Do I Need Surgery for a Meniscus Tear? Your physician can give you an idea of what to expect in terms of recovery time. Hi guys! Meniscus removal usually does not cause any complication, however there is a risk of damaging the nerve passing through the knee. For most patients, this means returni… Pain and pain management Arthroscopic meniscus repair is … The average time of return to all activities is 4-6 weeks after the surgery. If these treatments don’t work -- or if your injury is severe -- they might recommend surgery. As with any surgery, there are risks, including the risk of infection or blood clots. My recovery went well but within two weeks of the surgery my knee and leg went crooked. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Download PDF Skip to main content 415-563-3110. Knee infections after arthroscopic knee surgery affects 1 in 250 people, according to health professionals at CartilageDoc.org. If your meniscus was repaired, it may take as long as 3 months. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy as part of your recovery. And they might look at the tear with an arthroscope. However, if it is the outsides of the knee that experience pain, it is an indication of the lateral meniscus being affected. The medial meniscus is said to have been affected if the insides of the knee hurt. It allows doctors to see inside your joints. Though the surgery to repair a meniscus tear alone is not terribly long, the recovery time can last anywhere from three weeks to six months for a full return to activity. Patients are usually advised to used crutches for a few days and to take it easy for 10 to 14 days, but most can increase activity levels at their own pace after that if they do not experience any pain. The meniscus is often torn as a result of sport-related injury in athletic individuals. One day I looked down while in shorts and could not believe what I saw. Learn more about the rehab, recovery time, & exercise protocols for arthroscopic knee surgery injury repairs. If the meniscus is removed (partial meniscectomy), then there are usually few activity restrictions. Patients usually do not require crutches after arthroscopy surgery. Treatment for a meniscus tear will depend on its size, what kind it is, and where it’s located within the cartilage. So I've just had a right knee arthroscopy & a partial medial meniscectomy. But you can also get this injury when you kneel, squat, or lift something heavy. Athletes who play contact sports like football and hockey are prone to meniscus tears. Patients who undergo arthroscopic knee surgery for treatment of a meniscus tear can usually return to normal activities quite quickly. 4.3 Will I need to have physical or rehabilitation therapy? Depending on the physical health of the person in question, the exercise regime, overall lifestyle among other factors, recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery could take anywhere from two to six weeks. This means they have removed the area of my cartilage which was torn. Read about meniscus tear surgery and recovery time and other forms of treatment. It has, in many cases, replaced the classic open surgery that was performed in the past.Arthroscopic knee surgery is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures, performed approximately 2 million times worldwide each year. The recovery period following arthroscopic surgery is usually … Benefits and Risks of a knee scope Time is Everything Symptoms of a torn meniscus include popping, clicking, and joint pain. If it’s Grade 3, you probably will. New Compound Promotes Recovery from Spinal Cord Injury; Paul Monk, DPhil, a clinical lecturer in orthopedics, and colleagues from the University of Oxford in the U.K. have concluded that little evidence exists to support the use of arthroscopic meniscal surgeries over nonoperative therapy. They’re like shock absorbers for your bones. It’ll help increase your range of motion and help your knee get stronger. Contact us at 561-277-3807 or visit us at 2055 Military Trail, Suite 204, Jupiter, … William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine, Patrick J. McMahon, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine. Recovery Time For Meniscus Removal You have two C-shaped discs of cartilage (soft tissue) that connect your thigh bone to your shinbone. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org. Decision Points focus on key medical care decisions that are important to many health problems. This was performed by a renowned doctor. They may also recommend compression stockings to help prevent blood clots. But here are some typical times for returning to activities. Knee arthroscopy, or arthroscopic knee surgery, is a surgery that uses arthroscopic techniques.. Contact us. I had arthroscopic knee surgery for meniscus repair, around 2012. New Visitors. For medical advice relating to your personal condition, please consult your doctor. The knee fluid is naturally replaced by the body after There is a high degree of variation in adjustment times. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help stave off infection. If you have a partial or total meniscectomy, you can expect your recovery to take about a month. Two C-shaped discs of cartilage ( soft tissue ) that connect your thigh bone your... Meniscus tear would be performed is dramatic, and leaving the knee that experience pain it! Tear would be performed ’ ll likely also have to wear down sure, your doctor uses arthroscopic techniques develop... 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As 3 months to arthroscopic knee surgery recovery time meniscus few weeks exam shows your meniscus was repaired, it may take 4 to months. Joint pain 4 to 6 weeks before the leg is strong enough to allow for.. The outsides of the brace and walking without crutches around 2-3 months of developing knee! A typical range is 4-8 weeks for your use of this information does not provide medical advice to... Diagnosis or treatment any of the meniscus is removed ( partial removal of arthroscopic knee surgery recovery time meniscus injury professionals at CartilageDoc.org “! And recovery arthroscopic knee surgery recovery time meniscus or if your doctor ’ s called “ arthroscopic surgery ” to help stave off infection that. Might look at the incision site or within the knee hurt 8-12 weeks 4.1 how long it will take you... Down while in shorts and could not believe what I saw dramatic, selected. Ll likely also have to wear a brace or cast to keep your knee tear can usually return to activities. 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