Meniscus repair

Meniscus repair is a surgical procedure to fix a torn meniscus in the knee. The meniscus, a C-shaped cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the knee joint, can tear due to direct impact, forceful twisting, or degenerative conditions. Following a successful surgery, physical therapy becomes a critical part of recovery and rehabilitation.

Causes

Meniscal tears often occur during activities that cause direct impact or forceful twisting of the knee, such as certain sports. In older adults, degenerative conditions can lead to meniscal tears even without significant injury.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of a meniscal tear include knee pain, swelling, stiffness, a popping sensation during the injury, difficulty moving the knee, and feeling like the knee may give way or lock up.

Treatment and Physical Therapy

After a meniscus repair, physical therapy at Excel Physical Therapy plays an instrumental role in your recovery. Here's what to expect from the treatment:

1. Pain and Swelling Management: We will initially focus on reducing pain and swelling using a variety of techniques and modalities such as cold therapy, compression, and elevation.
2. Mobility Exercises: To restore your knee's range of motion, your therapist will guide you through gentle stretching and mobility exercises. These are designed to increase flexibility and decrease stiffness.
3. Strength Training: As your mobility improves, your therapist will incorporate exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee, particularly the quadriceps and hamstrings. This helps to support the knee joint and prevent further injury.
4. Balance and Stability Training: We will also guide you through balance exercises to improve the stability of your knee and to help prevent future falls or injuries.
5. Functional Training: To aid you in returning to your everyday activities, your physical therapist will include functional training in your routine. These exercises will be specific to your needs and activities, such as climbing stairs or squatting.
6. Education: At Excel Physical Therapy, we believe that an informed patient is an empowered patient. We provide you with information about your condition, recovery expectations, and a home exercise program to support your ongoing knee health.