Rehabilitation Guidelines for Meniscal Repair
There are two types of cartilage in the knee, articular cartilage and meniscus cartilage. Articular cartilage is made up of collagen, proteoglycans and water and lines the end of the bones that meet to form a joint. The primary function of the articular cartilage is to provide a smooth gliding surface for joint motion. Rubbing articular cartilage on articular cartilage is approximately 5 times more smooth, or with less friction, than rubbing ice on ice.1
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| Figure 1: Meniscus cartilage (shown here from above the knee, without the femur) |
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| Figure 2: Medial (inside) view of the knee |
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| Figure 3: Normal MRI (saggital view) of the knee, lateral (outside) view |
The meniscus cartilage in the knee includes a medial (inside) meniscus and a lateral (outside) meniscus. Together they are referred to as menisci. The menisci are wedge shaped, being thinner toward the center of the knee and thicker toward the outside of the knee joint (Figures 1–3). This shape is very important to its function. The primary function of the menisci is to improve load transmission. A relatively round femur sitting on a relatively flat tibia forms the knee joint. Without the menisci the area of contact force between these two bones would be relatively small, increasing the contact stress by 235-335% (
Figure 4). The menisci also provide some shock absorption, lubrication and joint stability.
There are two categories of meniscal tears: acute traumatic tears and degenerative tears. Degenerative tears most commonly occur in middle-aged people. They typically occur through repetitive stresses to the menisci over time, which severely weakens the tissue. This process of tissue degeneration makes it very unlikely that a surgical repair will heal or that the surrounding meniscus will be strong enough to hold the sutures used to repair it. One report showed that less than 10% of meniscal tears occurring in patients greater than forty years of age were repairable. Symptoms of a degenerative meniscus tear include swelling, pain along the joint line, catching and locking. Most often degenerative tears are surgically removed. Occasionally a patient may be able to regain function through rehabilitation without surgery.
Acute traumatic tears occur most frequently in the athletic population as a result of a twisting injury to the knee when the foot is planted. Symptoms of an acute meniscus tear include swelling, pain along the joint line, catching, locking and a specific injury. Often times these tears can be diagnosed by taking a thorough history and completing a physical examination. An MRI may be used to assist in making the diagnosis. If an athlete suffers a meniscal tear, the three options for treatment include: non-operative rehabilitation, surgery to trim out the area of torn meniscus, or surgery to repair (stitch together) the torn meniscus. The treatment chosen will depend on the location of the tear, the size of the tear, the athlete's sport, ligamentous stability of the knee and any associated injury.2
The location of tear is important because the outer portion of the meniscus has a good blood supply whereas the inner portion has a very poor blood supply.
Figure 6 shows the blood vessels (perimeniscular capillary plexus) entering the outer portion of the meniscus.
3 This blood supply is necessary for a tear or a repair to heal. Without an adequate blood supply, the area of torn meniscus will have to be removed.
After mensical surgery, rehabilitation with a physical therapist or athletic trainer is needed to restore range of motion, strength, movement control and guide the athlete’s return to sport. When the meniscus is repaired there may be a period of restricted knee flexion, especially during weight bearing, to protect the repair sutures and the meniscus. The rehabilitation guidelines are presented in a criterion based progression. Specific time frames, restrictions and precautions are given to protect healing tissues and the surgical repair/reconstruction. General time frames are also given for reference to the average individual, but individual patients will progress at different rates depending on their age, associated injuries, pre-injury health status, rehabilitation compliance and injury severity. The size and location of the meniscal tear may also affect the rate of post-operative progression.
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| Figure 4: Schematic representation of the meniscal effect on contact pressure in the knee. |
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| Figure 5: MRI (saggital view) of a lateral meniscus tear (yellow arrows) |
Figure 6: Figure 6: Perimeniscular capillary plexus (thick arrow) providing blood supply to the outer third of the meniscus. |
PHASE I (Surgery to 4 weeks After Surgery)
| Category |
Information |
| Appointments |
Rehabilitation appointments begin 3 to 5 days post-operatively and then approximately 1 time per week |
| Rehabilitation Goals |
Protection of the post-surgical knee
Restore normal knee extension
Eliminate effusion (swelling)
Restore leg control
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| Precautions: Dr. Baer |
The patient may gradually wean from two crutches to one crutch to no crutches as long as the knee is in the locked ELS brace, and there is no increase in pain or swelling for 4 weeks.
ELS brace locked for all weight bearing activities for 4 weeks.
Do not flex the knee past 90°
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| Precautions: Drs. Graf and Keene |
The patient may gradually wean from two crutches to one crutch to no crutches as long as the knee is in the locked ELS brace and there is no increase in pain or swelling for 4 weeks
ELS brace locked for all weight bearing activities for 4 weeks.
Knee flexion exercises should be limited so that the movement does not create any posterior knee pain.
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| Range-of-Motion Exercises |
Knee extension on a bolster
Prone hangs
Supine wall slides
Heel slides (caution with posterior medial meniscus repair secondary to the semimembranosus insertion)
Knee flexion off the edge of the table
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| Suggested Therapeutic Exercise |
Quadriceps sets
Straight leg raises
4-way leg lifts in standing with brace on for balance and hip strength
Abdominal isometrics
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| Cardiovascular Exercise |
Upper body circuit training or upper body ergometer |
| Progression Criteria |
4 weeks after surgery
Pain-free gait without crutches
No effusion (swelling)
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PHASE II (begin after meeting Phase I criteria, usually 4 weeks after surgery)
| Category |
Information |
| Appointments |
Rehabilitation appointments are once every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Rehabilitation Goals |
Single leg stand control
Normalize gait
Good control and no pain with functional movements, including step up/down, squat, partial lunge (between 0° and 60° of knee flexion)
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| Precautions |
No forced flexion with passive range of motion with knee flexion or weight bearing activities that push the knee past 60° of knee flexion
Avoid post-activity swelling
No impact activities
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| Suggested Therapeutic Exercise |
Non-impact balance and proprioceptive drills
Stationary bike
Gait drills
Hip and core strengthening
Stretching for patient-specific muscle imbalances
Quadriceps strengthening, making sure that closed chain exercises occur between 0° and 60° of knee flexion
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| Cardiovascular Exercise |
Non-impact endurance training: stationary bike, Nordic track, swimming, deep water running or cross trainer |
| Progression Criteria |
Normal gait on all surfaces
Ability to carry out functional movements without unloading affected (injured) leg or pain, while demonstrating good control
Single leg balance greater than 15 seconds
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PHASE III (begin after meeting Phase II criteria, approximately 3 months after surgery)
| Category |
Information |
| Appointments |
Rehabilitation appointments are once every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Rehabilitation Goals |
Good control and no pain with sport and work specific movements, including impact
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| Precautions |
Post-activity soreness should resolve within 24 hours
Avoid post-activity swelling
Avoid posterior knee pain with end range knee flexion
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| Suggested Therapeutic Exercise |
Impact control exercises beginning 2 feet to 2 feet, progressing from 1 foot to the other and then 1 foot to the same foot
Movement control exercises beginning with low velocity, single plane activities and progressing to higher velocity, multi-plane activities
Strength and control drills related to sport specific movements
Sport/work specific balance and proprioceptive drills
Hip and core strengthening
Stretching for patient specific muscle imbalances
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| Cardiovascular Exercise |
Replicate sport or work specific energy demands |
| Return To Sport/Work Criteria |
Dynamic neuromuscular control with multi-plane activities without pain or swelling
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These rehabilitation guidelines were developed collaboratively by Marc Sherry, PT, LAT, CSCS (
msherry@uwhealth.org) and the UW Health Sports Medicine physician group.
References
- Ulrich GS and Aronczyk SP. The basic science of meniscus repair. Tech in Ortho, 8(2): 56-62, 1993.
- Fowler PJ and Pompan D. Rehabilitation after mensical repair. Tech in Ortho, 8(2): 137-139, 1993.
- Arnoczky SP and Warren RF. Microvasculature of the human meniscus. Am J Sport Med, 1982.
Updated 4/2009
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At UW Health, patients may have advanced diagnostic and /or treatment options, or may receive educational materials that vary from this information. Please be aware that this information is not intended to replace the care or advice given by your physician or health care provider. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional advice. Call your health provider immediately if you think you may have a medical emergency. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any question you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright 2009 UW Health Sports Medicine Center
