People with more serious meniscal tears, or those who don’t respond to physical therapy, may need surgery. Surgery to remove the torn cartilage (a procedure called a meniscectomy) is usually a simple procedure. It requires physical therapy treatment after surgery to help you restore function and recover. After surgery, and about four months of physical therapy treatment, many people are able to return to their previous activity levels, including sports. However, each person is different. Your physical therapist will design the safest, most effective treatment plan to meet your specific needs and goals.

Meniscus removal. After a simple removal of the torn part of your meniscus, your physical therapy treatment plan will be similar to that for nonsurgical meniscal injuries. Your physical therapist may use ice and compression to control pain and swelling. They will show you how to use these treatments at home. The main focus of your treatment will be on helping you get back your strength and movement. Your treatment plan will include a series of exercises done in the clinic and at home. Your physical therapist also may use hands-on treatment (manual therapy). At first, you likely will need to use crutches or a cane to walk. Your physical therapist will help guide you toward gradually placing weight on your knee to stand or walk. This progression will allow the remaining meniscus and other tissue in the knee joint to adjust to increased pressure.

Meniscus repair. Sometimes your surgeon will be able to repair instead of remove a torn meniscus. Research shows that if a repair is possible, it can reduce the risk of arthritis developing later in life. Physical therapy after a meniscal repair is slower and more extensive than with meniscal removal. This is because the repaired tissue must be protected while it is healing. The type of surgery, the extent of your injury, and your surgeon’s recommendations will determine how quickly you can:

• Put weight on your leg.
• Stop using crutches.
• Return to your previous activities.

After a meniscal repair surgery, your physical therapist will:

• Help you control pain and swelling.
• Guide you through progressive reloading of weight to the knee (i.e., standing and walking). This will allow the cartilage to slowly adjust to increased stress and pressure.
• Help restore your knee and leg range of motion.
• Teach you exercises to help restore your muscle strength.

Return to activity. Whether your torn meniscus recovered on its own or required surgery, your physical therapist will play an important role in helping you return to your previous activities. They will help you learn to walk without favoring the leg and perform activities like going up and down stairs with ease.

Return to work. If you have a physically demanding job or lifestyle, your physical therapist can help you return to these activities. They will help teach you how to properly perform repeated movements in order to put less stress on your knee.

Return to sport. If you are an athlete, you may need a more lengthy course of physical therapy to return to your prior level of activity or competition. Your physical therapist will help you maximize your return to sport and prevent reinjury by working with you to fully restore your:

• Strength.
• Endurance.
• Flexibility.
• Coordination.

Return to sport varies greatly from person to person. It depends on the:

• Extent of your injury.
• Specific surgical procedure.
• Surgeon’s recommendations.
• Type of sport in which you take part.

Your physical therapist will consider these factors when designing and adjusting your treatment program. They also will work closely with your surgeon to determine when it is safe for you to return to sports and other activities.