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Surgery to remove the meniscus and rehabilitation. Surgery on the knee joint, on the meniscus: reviews

The most complete answers to questions on the topic: "meniscus tear knee joint recovery after surgery."

The layer of cartilage in the knee joint, located between the surfaces of the femur and tibia, is called the meniscus. It functions as a shock absorber and stabilizer, but under certain types of load, especially during sports, it may rupture. This injury is one of the most common and accounts for about 75% of all closed injuries of the knee joint.

Restoring the meniscus after a tear is possible using stitching with a special thread. If this cannot be done, then it is removed. In some cases, synthetic prostheses are implanted, which take on the functions of the meniscus.

Rehabilitation after surgery consists of physical therapy and physiotherapy; the duration of this recovery period depends on the nature of the injury.

Rehabilitation set of exercises

If resection of the meniscus (its complete or partial removal) was performed arthroscopically*, then the restoration complex can begin 1-7 days after the operation.

* That is, using special video equipment through two punctures on the sides of the knee joint.

If the injury caused damage to the ligaments or the removal of the meniscus was performed using an open method, then physical therapy will have to be postponed, because the knee needs rest at first. The same situation is observed in the case of suturing the edges of the meniscus, which need to heal before putting weight on the knee again. This period can take up to 5-7 weeks after surgery, depending on individual characteristics.

Early recovery

The main goals of early rehabilitation after surgery include:

normalization of blood circulation in the damaged joint and elimination of inflammation;
strengthening the thigh muscles to stabilize the knee;
prevention of contracture (limitation of range of motion).

Physical therapy should be carried out in different body positions:

sitting, passively extending the operated leg, placing a cushion under the heel;
standing on a healthy limb;
lying down, tensing your thigh muscles for 5-10 seconds.

All these exercises can only be performed with the permission of the attending physician in the absence of effusion (inflammatory fluid) and blood in the joint after surgery.

Late recovery

The objectives of late rehabilitation are:

elimination of contracture if it forms;
normalization of gait and restoration of joint function;
strengthening the muscles that stabilize the knee.

For this purpose, the most effective classes are in gym and in the pool. Cycling and walking are very beneficial. Do not forget that the first few weeks after meniscus resection, it is not advisable to squat and run.

Examples of exercises

Squats with a ball. Starting position: standing, slightly leaning back, the ball is located between the lower back and the wall. Perform squats to an angle of 90 degrees. It is not worth going deeper, as the load on the knee joint increases significantly.

Walking backwards. It is advisable to perform this exercise on a treadmill while holding the handrails. The speed should not be higher than 1.5 km/h. It is necessary to strive for full straightening of the leg.

Exercises on the step (a small platform used for aerobics). After the operation, a low step of about 10 cm is first used, and the height is gradually increased. When performing descents and ascents, it is important to ensure that the shin does not deviate to the right or left. It is advisable to control this visually - in the mirror.

An exercise using a 2-meter long rubber band, which is fixed to a stationary object on one side and to a healthy leg on the other. By swinging to the side, you train the muscles of both limbs.

Jump on your leg first over the line, then over the bench. This trains coordination and muscle strength.

Balance training is carried out using a special oscillating platform. The main task is to maintain balance.

When performing exercises on an exercise bike, you must ensure that your leg is straight at the lowest point.

Jumps can be on a flat surface or on a steppe. For greater efficiency, you need to jump straight and sideways.

Running with side steps and walking in water can be done after the wound has completely healed.

Step platform

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy in the postoperative period is aimed at improving blood circulation and metabolism in the knee joint, as well as accelerating regeneration processes. Massage, laser therapy, magnetic therapy and electrical muscle stimulation are effective for these purposes.

Massage should be performed when there is swelling and limited mobility of the knee. For greater effectiveness, it is advisable to teach the patient self-massage, which he will perform several times a day. It is not recommended to massage the joint itself in the early postoperative period. To perform other physical procedures, you will need to visit the clinic.

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Surgical repair of meniscus

The meniscus plays an important role in the normal functioning of the knee joint, so during surgery it is not completely removed, but rather an attempt is made to preserve the maximum amount of intact tissue. There are two main methods for surgically restoring the meniscus after injury:

Applying a suture, which is performed in cases of linear rupture, if no more than a week has passed from the moment of damage. It makes sense to apply it only in an area of good blood supply. Otherwise, the tissue will never heal and after some time it will rupture again.
Meniscus replacement with special polymer plates is used quite rarely, usually with extensive destruction and removal of most of the cartilage tissue. In addition, there is the possibility of transplanting fresh frozen donor tissue.

In conclusion, it is worth recalling that if you have suffered a knee injury, you need to contact an experienced traumatologist. The doctor will determine the nature of the damage and conduct necessary treatment. Performing simple exercises for rehabilitation and restoration of meniscus function after surgery will very soon allow you to forget about the unpleasant incident and return to your previous active life.

The question of in what situations is knee surgery on the meniscus needed is heard quite often. It is difficult to answer this unequivocally. Reviews from people who have experienced various problems with this organ indicate some caution before surgery, so they sought conservative treatment methods. In order to more fully cover the topic of the need for surgical intervention, you need to understand what the meniscus is.

What are knee menisci?

Cartilage pads, which are a kind of shock absorbers and stabilizers, as well as increases its mobility and flexibility, are called menisci of the knee joint. If the joint moves, the meniscus will compress and change its shape.

The knee joint includes two menisci - the medial or internal and the lateral or external. They are connected to each other by a transverse ligament in front of the joint.

A feature of the external meniscus is its greater mobility, which is why its incidence of injury is higher. The internal meniscus is not as mobile, it depends on the internal collateral ligament. Therefore, if he is injured, then this ligament is also damaged. In this case, knee surgery on the meniscus is necessary.

Causes of various meniscus injuries

So why do they get damaged, and in what cases is knee meniscus surgery necessary?

Injuries that are accompanied by movement of the lower leg in different directions lead to rupture of the cartilage pad.
The meniscus of the knee joint can be damaged (treatment, surgery and other methods will be discussed below) in case of excessive extension of the joint during adduction and abduction of the tibia.
Ruptures are possible due to direct impact on the joint, for example, from a blow from a moving object, hitting a step, or falling on the knee.
With repeated direct bruises, chronic trauma to the meniscus may occur, which can result in a rupture during a sharp turn.
Changes in the menisci can occur in certain diseases, such as rheumatism, gout, chronic intoxication (especially in those people whose work involves prolonged standing or walking), and chronic microtrauma.

Meniscus treatment methods, reviews

Surgery is not indicated in all cases, since damage to this tissue can vary. There are several ways to restore the functionality of the meniscus. For this purpose, physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out, various medications are used, and traditional medicine recipes are also used.

Many patients choose more conservative methods, as evidenced by their reviews. But they also note the risk of losing time for recovery. When they chose physical therapy or treatment instead of undergoing the surgery recommended by specialists folk remedies, it only got worse. In such cases, an operation was still performed, but it was more complex and with a long recovery period. Therefore, it sometimes happens that knee surgery on the meniscus is inevitable. In what cases is it prescribed?

When is knee meniscus surgery prescribed?

When the meniscus is crushed.
If there is a rupture and displacement. The body of the meniscus is characterized by circulatory insufficiency, therefore, in the event of a rupture, there is no question of independent healing. In this case, partial or complete resection of the cartilage is indicated.
In case of hemorrhage into the joint cavity, surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint is also indicated. Reviews from patients indicate fairly rapid rehabilitation in this case.
When the body and horns of the meniscus are completely torn off.

What types of manipulations are used?

Surgeries are performed to stitch together or partially remove the cartilage. Sometimes surgery to remove the meniscus of the knee joint occurs for the purpose of transplanting this organ. In this case, part of the damaged cartilage is removed and replaced with a graft. This is not a very dangerous surgical intervention, although some patients, according to their reviews, were afraid to resort to transplants. After such manipulation there are few risks, since donor or artificial menisci take root without any problems. The only disadvantage in this situation is long-term rehabilitation. On average, it takes 3-4 months for the transplant to survive successfully. After this, the person’s performance is gradually restored. Anyone who does not want to waste so much time on rehabilitation resorts to radical methods of restoring his torn cartilage.

Application of knee arthroscopy

With arthroscopy, the surgeon can see most of the structures inside the knee joint. The knee joint can be compared to a hinge, which is formed by the terminal sections of the tibia and femur. The surfaces of these bones adjacent to the joint have a smooth cartilaginous covering, thanks to which they can slide when the joint moves. This cartilage is normal white, smooth and elastic, three to four millimeters thick. Arthroscopy can detect many problems, including a torn meniscus in the knee. Surgery using arthroscopic technique will help solve this problem. After it, the person will be able to move fully again. Patients note that today this is the best procedure for restoring the function of the knee joint.

Knee meniscus surgery – duration

During arthroscopy, surgical instruments are inserted into the joint cavity through small holes. The arthroscope and instruments used in this procedure allow the doctor to examine, remove, or stitch together the tissue inside the joint. The image through the arthroscope appears on the monitor. The joint is filled with liquid, which makes it possible to see everything quite clearly. The entire procedure lasts no more than 1-2 hours.

According to statistics, among all knee joint injuries, half are due to damage to the meniscus of the knee joint. The operation makes the patient feel better and relieves swelling. But, patients note, the result of this procedure is not always predictable. It all depends on the looseness or attrition of the cartilage.

Rehabilitation during treatment with conservative methods, reviews

Rehabilitation is required not only after meniscus surgery, but also as a result of any treatment for this cartilage. Conservative treatment involves two months of rehabilitation with the following recommendations:

Apply cold compresses.
Devote time every day to physical therapy and gymnastics.
The use of anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs.

Rehabilitation after surgery

Slightly different recovery requirements involve surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint. Rehabilitation in this case requires a little more effort, as patients note. This is due to the fact that there was more serious damage to the meniscus, as well as penetration through other tissues of the body. To recover after surgery you will need:

Initially, it is necessary to walk with support so as not to load the joint - this can be a cane or crutches, the duration of use of which is determined by the doctor.
After this, the load on the joint increases slightly - movement occurs with the load distributed on the joints of the legs. This occurs 2-3 weeks after the operation.
Then independent walking is allowed with orthoses - special joint fixators.
After 6-7 weeks, it is necessary to begin therapeutic exercises.

Postoperative complications

What negative consequences can be left behind by surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint? Reviews indicate that postoperative complications are rare, but they still happen.

The most common infection is intra-articular infection. It can get into the joint if the rules of asepsis and antisepsis are not followed. An existing purulent focus in the joint can also lead to infection.
Damage to cartilage, menisci and ligaments also occurs. There have been cases of surgical instruments breaking inside the joint.
If you approach rehabilitation incorrectly after surgical intervention on the knee joint, its stiffness is possible, up to ankylosis.
Other complications include thromboembolism, gas and fat emboli, fistulas, adhesions, nerve damage, hemarthrosis, osteomyelitis, and sepsis.

Exercising after surgery

Professional athletes try to return to activities as quickly as possible after a meniscus injury and surgery. With a specially developed rehabilitation program, this can be achieved within 2 months, they note. For quick recovery, strength machines (bicycle ergometers), swimming pool exercises, certain exercises, and so on are used. When rehabilitation comes to an end, you can run on a treadmill, pass a ball, or imitate exercises related to a particular sport. Reviews from such patients indicate difficulties in rehabilitation in this way, since it is always difficult to treat a diseased joint. But after hard work and patience, you can achieve good and quick results.

Proper rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint leads to a complete recovery. The doctors' prognosis is favorable.

Damage to the menisci of the knee - frequent injury received in sports, both professional and amateur. It is not uncommon for such injuries to occur when running, walking on snow and ice as a result of twisting a leg, etc. The pathogenesis of meniscus damage is different.
Tears may be observed: complete or incomplete, and even dislocation of the meniscus. Based on the location of the menisci, they are divided into internal and external, which differ in their anatomical and physiological characteristics, but for rehabilitation it is not of fundamental importance. As has already been said in other specialized sections, treatment of menisci is often surgical, but recent advances in medicine allow this manipulation to be performed quickly, effectively and with comfort for the patient. Rehabilitation of damage to the menisci of the knee joint is also based on the principles of determining the severity of the injury. Often it takes no more than a week and several sessions for the patient to fully return to their previous work.

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Learn more about recovery from a knee meniscus tear

In case of severe injuries, especially those combined and complicated, for example, by arthritis, rehabilitation of damage to the knee meniscus is accompanied by long recovery courses, which require an integrated approach.

Rehabilitation terms (general)

conservative treatment: 1 - 2 months;
after resection of the meniscus (surgery): 1.5-3 months.

When creating a program for a patient after a meniscal injury, one should take into account the patient’s age, lifestyle, and the goal of rehabilitation (return to professional sports, amateur sports, return to the pre-injury lifestyle).

The body, whether it is an injury or surgery, reacts in the same way - swelling, muscle spasm and pain. Due to long-term immobilization, atrophy of the thigh muscles occurs. In order to lose muscle volume, as experience shows, one to two weeks of inactivity is enough.

The condition of our joint depends on the condition of our muscles. Why? Because when walking or running, the muscles take on most of the load, whereas in the absence of well-developed muscles, the entire load falls on the articular surfaces of the knee joint, which causes swelling, pain, stiffness, etc. Based on the above, we can identify the goals of the passive (and then active) stage of rehabilitation after damage to different parts of the meniscus.

PASSIVE STAGE OF REHABILITATION

Since after surgery on the knee joint for resection of the meniscus, you can step on your leg and give full support from the first day, the passive stage of rehabilitation is short-lived.

Goals:

Relieve swelling through physiotherapy, compresses, cold and kinesio taping. Duration - approximately 5-10 days.
Relieve pain (reducing swelling and spasm leads to decreased pain).
Regain control of your thigh muscles and achieve a confident gait.
Improve passive range of motion in the joint.
The general goal of the passive stage can be called preparation of the joint and muscles for further rehabilitation in the exercise therapy room

I STAGE OF ACTIVE REHABILITATION

Term: 2-4 weeks after surgery.

At this stage, all exercises are performed in a gentle manner with a gradual increase in amplitude and load! Exercises are given in a lying, sitting and standing position.

Goals and objectives of stage I:

Regain control of the thigh muscles of the operated leg through strength and coordination exercises (proprioception).
To promote the development of muscle strength and endurance to static loads, especially the inner head of the quadriceps femoris muscle, as well as the posterior group of muscles of the thigh and lower leg, which ensure the restoration of the support ability of the leg.
Help achieve full extension of the knee joint by performing flexibility exercises.
Achieve a flexion angle in the knee joint of 90? and less, by performing strength exercises and flexibility and stretching exercises, as well as various massage techniques, which include mobilization of soft tissues around the knee joint, patella, etc.
Formation of the correct gait, which is possible only after achieving the goals described above.

An example of exercises performed at this stage:

Lifting legs with weights while lying on your back.

STARTING POSITION (IP):

Lying on your back, arms at your sides, healthy leg bent at the knee joint, foot on the floor, second leg straight 5 cm from the floor, toes pointing towards you. On the sore leg, a weight of 1 or 2 kg, depending on the condition of the patient’s muscles.

DOING THE EXERCISE:

Slowly raise your leg up to an angle of 45? (we reproduce the tension of the quadriceps muscle, which we learned at the stage of passive rehabilitation - THIS IS IMPORTANT).
Hold the position for 2-3 seconds.
Accept IP.
Perform the exercise 15 times for 3 sets.

The main thing to remember when performing this task is that the leg should be as straight as possible, we try to pull the kneecap up due to the tension of the quadriceps femoris muscle, the toe should always be pulled towards itself and the exercise should be performed slowly without jerking. Following all principles rehabilitation medicine, rehabilitation of knee ligament damage will take place with maximum efficiency and without any problems.

Upon achieving the goals and objectives of STAGE I, we move to STAGE II of the active phase of rehabilitation.

STAGE II ACTIVE REHABILITATION

Term: 4-8 weeks after surgery.

At this stage, we propose to perform more complex exercises, which are performed mainly while standing and are closest to such natural movement as walking, etc. We also include strength training equipment for straightening and bending the legs in static-dynamic mode, inertial exercises on a trampoline or barefoot.

Goals and objectives of stage II:

Contribute further development Build strength, power and endurance in your thigh and calf muscles without pain by performing more challenging strength and coordination exercises.
Achieve a flexion angle in the knee joint of less than 60°.
Help improve the proprioceptive sensitivity of the knee joint by performing balance exercises on bare feet or a trampoline.
Prepare the muscles for running exercises by performing training exercises (various lunges on bare feet, etc.).
Promote a gradual return to sport-specific functional activities.
Achieve correct running execution.
Achieve muscle volume of the operated leg equal to muscle volume of the healthy one. The difference in volumes can be no more than 20%.
To form the correct motor stereotype of landing after jumping by performing plyometric exercises with and without interference.

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An example of a stage II exercise aimed at developing the quadriceps femoris muscle in the static-dynamics mode “Leg extension while sitting in a machine.”

STARTING POSITION: sitting, back straight, lower back pressed against the back of the machine, shins firmly resting on the bolsters, knee joint has an angle of more than 90 degrees, hips do not extend beyond the seat.

DOING THE EXERCISE:

Bend - straighten your legs at the knee joint for 30 seconds. During this time, you need to have time to do 20-24 repetitions. There should be 3 such approaches. Rest between sets for 30 seconds.
The movement should be uniform (without jerking).
A burning sensation in the muscle is an indicator of the correctness of the exercise.

Stato-dynamic training is performed twice a week, one training is tonic in nature, the second is developmental. after several weeks, when positive result testing the legs, we proceed to running and jumping exercises. The goal of following a running and jumping program is to prevent recurrence of the injury. Quite often, repeated injury occurs due to the inability to land correctly after a jump; an incorrect motor pattern in running can also lead to swelling and pain in the knee joint. About how to correctly alternate strength and running training Your rehabilitation therapist will tell you.

The functions of the meniscus of the knee joint are shock-absorbing and stabilizing, in addition, they help reduce friction of the contacting bones lower limbs. The knee joint has two menisci - internal and external or medial and lateral.

Injuries to the meniscus of the knee joint

Injuries to the meniscus do not always lead to its removal. Bruises, minor tears and injuries are usually treated conservatively and often with a complete recovery. More severe pathology, such as a meniscal tear of varying severity, accompanied by severe pain, joint blockade, or even separation of part of the meniscus, requires urgent attention. surgical intervention.

A meniscus tear can be of several types: complete or incomplete, longitudinal or transverse, in the form of flaps or completely fragmented. Often such injuries result in removal of the meniscus.

Meniscectomy or removal of the meniscus is performed when more than half of the meniscus is torn, since such injuries do not heal on their own and are accompanied by severe pain with the development of edema and sharply limit the movement of the joint due to its blockade.

Modern medicine has the ability to perform such operations using arthroscopic devices, which reduces additional trauma to the limb and significantly shortens the postoperative and rehabilitation periods. Also, such methods reduce the risk of complications after surgery.

Arthroscopic removal of the meniscus is a more gentle operation than meniscectomy. Therefore, many experts prefer it. This is also due to technical conveniences, for example, when performing an operation with an arthroscope, the doctor has the opportunity to see the joint from the inside, using a light bulb and a video camera attached to one of the three tubes. Using the second tube, sterile fluid is supplied to the joint as needed, and the third is designed to insert a special instrument.

To perform this operation, it is enough to make three half-centimeter incisions required to insert the arthroscope, which is also advantageous in cosmetic terms, since no visible damage remains. Removing the meniscus is no different than if it was performed with an open meniscectomy, the surgical technique remains the same. It takes about two hours in length. After pumping out the fluid from the joint cavity, the arthroscope is removed, the incisions are sutured and covered with a sterile bandage.

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Rehabilitation after removal of the meniscus of the knee joint

A rehabilitation period is mandatory after such a surgical intervention. Its duration depends on the degree and nature of the damage and is determined individually for each patient. In most cases, after 24 hours, you are allowed to get up and move around with minimal stress on the sore leg.

When removing a meniscus, it is recommended to avoid horizontal loads on the injured limb if possible for about a week. Functional support during this period is provided by crutches, allowing the patient to move independently and follow the doctor’s instructions.

Therapeutic exercise promotes more rapid recovery functions of the knee joint. In order to prevent inflammation in the cavity and to relieve pain, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications are usually prescribed. Products are used topically to improve blood supply and relieve swelling.

On average, the rehabilitation period lasts two to three weeks, which is significantly less than with open surgery. Arthroscopic operations can not only reduce postoperative period, but almost a day later you can start working out the joint with a light load. All this contributes quick return the patient’s ability to work and reduces the material costs of treatment.

Modern medicine has the ability to carry out a rehabilitation period in the shortest possible time with complete restoration of the functions of the knee joint.

Complications of meniscus removal

Like any surgical intervention, removal of the meniscus also has a risk of developing complications that can occur during the operation (intolerance to anesthesia) and after it. It is possible that an infectious process may develop in the joint as a result of infection, or the formation of nerve endings near the knee joint. It is very rare for vascular damage or blood clots to form in the knee joint.

Physical education or just physical exercise, which train the ligamentous apparatus, maintaining its plasticity and flexibility are an excellent prevention of injuries to the knee joint.

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Surgeries to remove the meniscus of the knee joint - meniscectomy and arthroscopy

If a large part of the ISS has been torn apart, it is often performed meniscotomy(the injured area cannot heal on its own; swelling and severe pain appear, sharply limiting the movements of the joint due to its blockage).

IN modern medicine this type operations are performed using arthroscopic equipment, which can reduce the risk of additional damage to the limb and shorten the recovery time after removal of the meniscus. Complications may develop due to surgery; this method reduces the risk of their occurrence.

Knee arthroscopy (meniscus removal)– the operation is easier and more gentle, thanks to which it has become popular among specialists.

It is more convenient purely technically - the doctor, while performing certain actions, can look at the joint from the inside, using a light bulb and a video camera attached to the arthroscope tube. Sterile liquid is supplied through the second tube (if necessary), and a special instrument is inserted through the third tube, with the help of which the ISS will be removed.

The doctor makes three 0.5 cm incisions to insert the device (no visible damage remains after them), pumps out the accumulated fluid, removes the equipment, sutures the incision and covers it with a sterile bandage. The operation lasts at least 2 hours.

Rehabilitation after meniscus arthroscopy – exercises

The patient is in the hospital for 1-2 days, where he is monitored by doctors and nurses. After that Isometric exercises are recommended(muscles are engaged, the knee does not bend), involving tension without movement.

First

The patient needs to take a lying or sitting position in bed, and then tense the quadriceps femoris muscle so that the toes point upward and the cup is pulled up in the same direction. Alternate rest with tension for 10 seconds 10 times.

Second

The patient is in the same position, while the back of the thigh is tense (similar to the desire to bend the lower leg). Alternating tension and rest is similar to the first option.

Third

Having taken a lying or sitting position on the bed, the patient moves his leg to a distance of 20 to 30 cm, raising the heel. The limb then returns to its original position. Repeat ten times.

Fourth

While sitting (if sitting is difficult, then lying down), a person straightens his leg and raises it up to a height of 10-20 cm up to 10 times. This position should be held for 10 seconds. If pain occurs, the height of the leg lift or the time it is held should be reduced.

Fifth

The patient sits or lies, while pulling the heel (the operated leg is working) towards him, maintaining this position for about 5 seconds, then straightens it (initial position).

You need to do up to 30 repetitions. If this exercise does not cause any difficulties, you should raise your heel to a height of 3 to 5 cm above the level of the bed, while bending your leg at the knee.

Sixth

A ball or bolster (a blanket folded into a roll) is placed under the knee. The patient raises his lower leg, straightening his leg as much as possible. This position must be maintained for at least 5 seconds (up to 10 seconds). Repeat 30 times.

Seventh

This exercise after surgery on the meniscus involves developing flexion in the joint, using the weight of the lower leg. The patient should sit on the edge of the bed, hang his shin, and then, gradually relaxing the anterior thigh muscles, bend his leg at the knee.

Actions must be performed slowly, resisting gravity with the help of the thigh muscles. The healthy leg plays the role of insurance.
The operated leg should be lifted with the healthy one, placing the second one under the first and straightening it. The extension amplitude should be maximum (as far as possible).

To shorten the rehabilitation period after a meniscus tear, it is better to perform all of the above exercises, supplemented with the following two.

Eighth

Here you will need a walker or a chair with a backrest. The operated leg should be bent at the knee and hip joint. At the same time, they, as well as the foot, are directed forward. The leg returns to its original position without changing the posture. Repeat about ten times.

Ninth

Leaning on a chair or walker, you should straighten the sore leg in the same places as in the previous case, only now with the intention of reaching the buttocks. The direction of the hip, knee and foot is similar. The leg returns to its original position without changes in posture. The number of repetitions is ten.

You need to be especially careful here, as too much extension can lead to cramps in the calf muscle. If this does happen, you need to quickly pinch yourself for it and then perform all actions less intensely.

All of these rehabilitation exercises will be highly effective and will help restore knee movement after meniscal arthroscopy if perform them regularly and at least 5 times a day(Doctors recommend increasing the number of repetitions up to 8 times).

Physiotherapy after surgery for ruptured ISS

The purpose of using physiotherapy during the rehabilitation period– improve blood circulation and metabolism in the knee, speed up regeneration processes. Massage, magnetic and laser therapy, and electrical muscle stimulation will be effective for such purposes. However, massage is carried out only if the knee has limited mobility or swelling; doctors do not recommend massaging the joint itself.

After removal of the meniscus by a surgeon, the most lasting problem is intra-articular swelling, which interferes with the normal restoration of the functioning of the leg. In this case it will help lymphatic drainage massage. It should be performed by a specialist, as experience is very important here. If the massage is performed manually, the therapist makes wave-like movements, starting from the bottom of the leg, gradually moving upward (the direction of the lymphatic vessels).

Used as symptomatic drug treatment anti-inflammatory, painkillers And accelerating the repair process medicines.

An alternative, but no less effective way of recovery after meniscal arthroscopy is the use of strength training equipment aimed at training absolutely all muscles, including the damaged one. The most popular option is a bicycle ergometer. Additionally, swimming lessons are offered in the pool.

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A set of exercises for rehabilitation

If a complete or partial removal of the meniscus was performed using arthroscopy, then a set of exercises begins 2-7 days after the operation.

If the injury caused damage to the ligaments and the resection was carried out using the open method, then physical therapy is postponed for a certain period. Initially after surgery, the leg needs maximum rest and immobilization. The same thing happens if the edges of the meniscus are sutured; they will need to heal before repeated loads are placed on the knee. The period during which physical therapy can be performed can be several months.

Early period recovery

Goals that are achieved with early rehabilitation include:

Stabilizing the knee by strengthening the thigh muscles.
Eliminate inflammation and normalize blood circulation in the joint.
Limiting range of motion to prevent contracture.

This type of early rehabilitation is carried out in the following positions: sitting, standing on a healthy leg and lying down, with tension in the thigh muscles. These procedures are performed only as prescribed by a doctor and if there is no effusion in the joint.

Late period recovery

Objectives of late rehabilitation:

If a contracture forms, eliminate it.
Strengthening the muscles that stabilize the knee.
Restoring joint mobility and normalizing gait.

Examples of exercises

Walking backwards. It is recommended to perform this exercise on a treadmill, leaning on the handrails. The driving speed should not exceed 1.5 km/h.
Squats with a ball. It is necessary to hold the ball between your back and the wall and squat so that the squat angle does not exceed 90 degrees. Doing the exercise is not painful.
Using a step (a small ledge used for aerobics). First of all, use a low step (no higher than 10 cm) and gradually increase the height. It is important that the shin does not swing to the sides when ascending and descending.
Jumping over a line, then over a bench, is necessary for training muscle strength and coordination of movements.
Balance training is performed on an oscillating platform; first of all, you need to maintain your balance.
When performing exercises on an exercise bike, you need to make sure that at the lowest point your leg is straight.
Jumping on a step or on a flat surface.
Walking and running with side steps can be done in water.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

During the rehabilitation period, physiotherapy is aimed at improving metabolism and blood circulation in the joint, and it also helps speed up regeneration processes. For these purposes, magnetic therapy, electrical stimulation, laser therapy and massage are highly effective.

Massage can be performed only in the absence of reduced knee mobility and swelling. For greater effectiveness, the patient should do self-massage several times a day.

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Postoperative period

Full recovery after meniscus removal will occur within a few months. First, doctors will take a set of measures to reduce swelling, relieve pain and restore the necessary range of motion. In a hospital setting, the patient will undergo electrical stimulation of the quadriceps femoris muscle.

This procedure is necessary to restore stability to the knee joint. There will also be a course of massage aimed at reducing pain and swelling.

In some clinics, rehabilitation after meniscus removal involves passive development of the operated joint. It is carried out using manual therapy or a special apparatus - artramot. This device is a robotic splint that flexes and extends the knee joint within doctor-recommended limits. In addition, a set of individually selected exercises is prescribed to maintain muscle tone. Taken together, these measures can speed up recovery by 1-2 weeks.

Possible consequences of surgery

Traumatologists warn that the consequence of meniscus removal may be a number of complications associated with the use of anesthesia. Epidural anesthesia is quite popular now. However, it is not recommended for use by people suffering neurological diseases and congenital disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, before choosing a method of pain relief, it is necessary to consult an anesthesiologist. It should also be taken into account that some patients may not tolerate anesthesia due to a weak cardiovascular system and a tendency to allergic reactions.

Often after removal of the meniscus, damage to the nerves in the area of the operated joint is observed. They manifest themselves as numbness or, conversely, the appearance of chills, a sensation as if goosebumps are running down the knee. This complication goes away on its own within two weeks after surgery. However, at first the patient will feel discomfort, which, unfortunately, cannot be relieved by using medications.

Also, after surgery to remove the meniscus, damage to blood vessels, accumulation of blood in the joint cavity, or thromboelic complications are possible. But, judging by statistics, these complications are quite rare. More often, arthritis develops due to infection entering the cavity of the operated joint. Arthritis manifests itself as redness, swelling and pain in the joints, which worsens general state sick. Therefore, in the postoperative period, the doctor will definitely prescribe antibiotics to prevent possible consequences of infectious genesis.

Basic rehabilitation measures

In order to remove the meniscus of the knee joint (the consequences of the operation can be avoided by choosing good clinic) did not affect the patient’s further performance, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to recovery. It is known that a dense scar forms closer to 6 weeks after surgery. During this period, it is necessary to develop the limb under the supervision of a physiotherapist. First, a set of measures is carried out to restore normal gait, then they begin to give strength loads. Until this period, traumatologists categorically prohibit walking without support - crutches.

Popular exercises after meniscus removal include:

extension-flexion movements in ankle joint and toes;
isometric tension in the quadriceps femoris muscle;
fixation of the knee joint in extension or flexion;
raising and lowering a limb.

Each exercise should be discussed with a physiotherapist or sports doctor. In just 1.5 months you will be able to squat, rise on your toes, and walk up the stairs. And after 2 months, doctors recommend cycling, running, jumping, swimming and squats with alternating loads on one leg to fully restore the previous physical form.

Sports rehabilitation

Athletes return to training fairly quickly thanks to the use of alternative techniques. For the purpose of rapid rehabilitation, strength training equipment is used that is designed to train all muscle groups, including the muscles of the operated limb. The most popular exercise machine of this type is a bicycle ergometer. Also used are exercises in the pool, which consist of walking on water, special exercises to completely eliminate the finishing effects of contracture, crawl style swimming on the back and chest for 30-35 minutes.

At the last stages of recovery, running on a treadmill, receiving and passing a soccer ball, as well as simulation exercises according to your sport are used. Thanks to active training, athletes, on average, return to their previous shape within 2 months after surgery. Provided that all recommendations are followed, the functional indicators of the operated limb will correspond to those of the healthy leg.

In general, the medical prognosis is favorable for everyone. A removed meniscus cannot cause gait disturbance if the patient undergoes an adequate recovery course in time.

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Meniscus of the knee joint

To ensure mobility of the knee joint, cartilaginous structures are located in its cavity, which serve as stabilizers and shock absorbers; these are the menisci. Thanks to this arrangement, the knee can withstand heavy physical loads and is not limited in movement.

Normally, the knee joint has 2 similar structures, internal and external (medial and lateral), they are connected to each other by a transverse ligament in the anterior section.

The outer one is more susceptible to injury, since it has greater mobility and is located at the edge of the joint. If a meniscus rupture of the knee joint suddenly occurs, surgery must be performed as soon as possible.

Types of knee injuries

What type of injury can lead to disruption of the integrity of the joint? There are quite a lot of such injuries, and pathology occurs:

If at the time of injury the shin bones are displaced in different directions (for example, the foot to the left and the knee to the right).
Against the background of severe hyperextension of the knee.
In case of strong physical impact on the knee area (collision between a person and a car).
With a simple fall on a bent leg.
In a previously injured knee, the meniscus is restored incorrectly or incompletely, and another awkward movement of the leg can damage it again.
During the course of some diseases (gout, rheumatism), destruction of the cartilage plate occurs.

There is a high risk of cartilage injury in people who spend a lot of time standing on their feet, in athletes and weightlifters (frequent microtraumas).

All of the above situations can most likely lead to a violation of the integrity of the knee joint. How to recognize that a person has damaged such cartilage?

Clinical signs

Any excessive physical impact on our body is accompanied by severe pain, knee injury is no exception. The peculiarity of a joint injury is that when the integrity of any of its structures is violated, the mobility of the limb is sharply limited. Additionally, there is pronounced swelling of the joint, a local increase in temperature and stiffness (especially in the morning or evening).

Treatment of joints can be conservative (medicines), surgical and folk. Most people prefer to be treated with tablets and ointments, but this is not always the best solution. Depending on the injury and the extent of the damage, surgical treatment is sometimes more preferable and effective.

Operation

Surgery is the last resort to cure the patient. The operation is performed if the following criteria are met:

Large gap.
Crushing of cartilage tissue.
Rupture into several large and small parts.
Not effective conservative methods treatment.

Only after a thorough examination is the patient sent for surgery.

Surgery to remove the meniscus can be performed using an open approach (cutting through the skin, ligaments and other structures to reach the desired area) or endoscopically (arthroscopy of the meniscus is performed). Method 2 is much safer and is the “gold standard” today. Its main advantages:

Low impact. Instead of large incisions, small punctures are made and thus reach the desired area.
Good review and diagnosis. Modern devices allow you to evaluate the joint cavity using a small, movable camera.
Dissection is excluded joint capsule. This is where joint fluid accumulates and is stored to lubricate the joint.
Damage to nearby tissues and structures is excluded.
At the time of surgery there is no need to fix the leg in one position. The more mobility is preserved, the easier it is at the rehabilitation stage.
Removing the meniscus of the knee joint in this way reduces the time spent in hospital bed and in the hospital in general.

In progressive countries, this method of treatment is chosen for patients with damaged joints.

How is arthroscopy performed?

The patient is prepared for surgery (anesthesia is given), the required area of the leg is sterilely isolated from the body and the surgical field is formed. Then 2 punctures are made into the joint cavity. The arthroscope itself (a small metal tube) is inserted into the first one; it transmits the image to the monitor to the surgeon, thanks to which a physiological solution is injected into the joint (this is necessary to enlarge the joint cavity, which will allow more mobile movement of the manipulators). The second hole serves as a conductor for other tools (for scissors, scalpel, clamp, etc.). After arthroscopy of the meniscus, the surgeon assesses how much work needs to be done and what surgical tactics to follow:

Restoration of damaged cartilage plate. Performed if the injury was received not so long ago (no more than 48 hours ago). If there is a small tear of the meniscus, the operation is performed as follows: the edges of the meniscus are brought together and sewn together with a special suture. Additionally, the entire structure is fixed to the joint capsule to limit mobility.
Partial or complete resection of the meniscus of the knee joint. This procedure is performed in case of total destruction of cartilage tissue, with its complete dysfunction. Partial removal of the cartilage and its destroyed structures is performed, and the whole, undamaged part remains without intervention (partial meniscus replacement). Complete removal of the meniscus of the knee joint is much more difficult and traumatic. All damaged structures are identified and removed. All this is replaced with prostheses or other cartilaginous tissues that can perform a similar function.
Transplantation of a new cartilage plate (transplantation). This is a method of transplanting cartilage tissue from a donor (frozen identical tissue) or transplanting synthetic material.

After surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint, there is a risk of complications. Which undesirable consequences may occur:

Bleeding from damaged vessels. It can be noticed and eliminated at the stage of surgical intervention.
Damage to nearby ligaments. A very serious complication that can lead to complete dysfunction of the joint.
Attachment of an infectious process. The joint capsule is a very favorable place for the development of inflammation.
Injury to nerve endings and roots.
Surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint may result in rejection of the installed implant. In this case, surgical procedures will be aimed at repeated revision and replacement of cartilage.
Inadequate revision of the joint capsule can lead to the loss of some parts of the broken cartilage. In the future, the symptom of “joint mouse” may develop. This is a symptom in which there is a sharp limitation in the mobility of the knee due to wedging of the free part of the cartilage into the joint space during movement.

Depending on the complications that arise, recovery after meniscus surgery should include a combination of medicinal and physical treatments, long-term observation and further monitoring of the patient’s well-being.

Rehabilitation period

Recovery after meniscus arthroscopy lasts at least 2 months. Combine application medicines(painkillers, anti-inflammatory, chondroprotectors and others), physiotherapy and gymnastic exercises. For successful and efficient postoperative rehabilitation necessary:

Use additional support when walking. This could be a cane or crutches.
Gradually increase the load on the affected leg. Daily training should restore muscles and ligaments.
After some adaptation of the body to new structures, it is necessary to maintain them in good shape using orthoses. These are specialized products that protect and fix the knee in the correct position.
It is necessary to start full-fledged therapeutic exercises from 6–7 weeks.

Rehabilitation after meniscus removal occurs a little further, as the body needs to adapt to the foreign tissue. It often happens that the body does not accept the installed implant and its rejection begins. This is a very dangerous complication, as our own defense mechanisms begin to work against us. To prevent such situations, they try to transplant the patient’s own tissue or special synthetic prostheses. If the resection of the meniscus is partial, then the patient is monitored for a long time for a timely response to possible rejection.

Further rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint consists of following a gentle regimen for the knee, following a diet, and regularly performing gymnastics and physical therapy (we help restore muscle tissue). To ensure good blood supply to the limb, it is recommended to attend massage sessions, physical therapy and manual therapy. After resection of the meniscus, you are under the supervision of a doctor for a long time and note all your sensations in the knee.

Resection is the removal (partial or complete) of an organ. Resection of the meniscus of the knee involves surgery to restore a person's ability to move the joint. When may meniscus resection be required, and how is rehabilitation carried out after this operation?

A few words about the meniscus

This shock-absorbing element of the knee joint plays a vital role in the functioning of the knee and maintaining its health. Speaking about the meniscus, you need to remember that there are two of them in the knee - lateral and medial. The first is freer and is attached to the synovial capsule, the tibia and the condyle of the femur - with the help of ligaments connecting the femur with posterior horn meniscus

The attachment of the medial meniscus is more rigid and limited. It is attached with its outer edge to the thickening on the capsule, as well as at two points - to the anterior and posterior tibia. It is this rigid fastening that causes more frequent damage to the medial meniscus.

Indications for partial (partial) resection and possible complications

Removal of this part of the joint is necessary in the following cases:

The meniscus is crushed to such an extent that it is not possible to restore it by any other means.
Degenerative changes in the tissues of the meniscus. If they damage this part of the joint so much that a person cannot move the knee, then there is no point in them.
Severe rupture of meniscal tissue. In this case, the torn sections can mechanically interfere with the normal functioning of the knee joint: they become pinched internal structures, mainly with bones, as a result of which a person loses the ability to move a joint.

In these cases, the surgeon will remove those damaged pieces of the knee meniscus that can no longer perform their function.

What complications may the patient encounter? Most often the patient complains:

persistent bleeding at the puncture or incision site;
increased body temperature;
difficulty breathing, causing a coughing attack;
swelling of the knee;
swelling of the fingers on the limb where the operation was performed;
increased sensitivity of the joint.

In the vast majority of cases, such complications indicate the presence of an infectious process. Perhaps pathogens got inside the joint during surgery. It is worth noting that arthroscopy in this sense is considered more progressive and safer, because all actions are carried out through small punctures, which means there is much less opportunity for pathogens to penetrate.

If after surgery your knee hurts and the pain intensifies, then there is a high probability of developing post-traumatic arthrosis, which requires urgent medical intervention. The specialist will prescribe medications that eliminate inflammation and stop destructive processes inside the joint. Why is this happening?

It is believed that the cause of this pathology is scars that appear on excised tissues, because the restoration of damaged tissue integrity does not always pass without a trace. Scars interfere with normal blood circulation, and nutritional components do not reach the joint in full.

Synovitis as a dangerous complication

The most serious complication after resection of the meniscus is synovitis - the accumulation of fluid in the joint. Synovial fluid serves as a natural lubricant for the joint, but if too much of it is produced (and this sometimes happens after surgery), then the excess leads to negative consequences. The accumulation of excess synovial fluid will be indicated by redness in the knee area and severe swelling this zone.

Removal of excess fluid from the joint is carried out under local anesthesia. In addition to removing the pus, it is necessary to rinse the joint cavity

Throbbing pain prevents a person from moving normally. Synovitis can be serous and purulent. The second form of the disease is more common than the first. If you study the composition of the liquid, then in addition to synovial lubricant, it contains particles of pus and blood. In the absence of the necessary therapeutic measures, the capsule with its contents will simply rupture, and this, in turn, will lead to infection of many bone structures, as well as the entry of pus into the bloodstream (blood poisoning, intoxication).

Traditionally, treatment is carried out with medications, but in some cases it may be necessary to remove the fluid surgically. A puncture is performed under local anesthesia, the fluid is pumped out, and then the cavity is washed and drugs are administered - corticosteroids or antibiotics.

Arthroscopy and arthrotomy

Arthroscopy is a surgical laparoscopic intervention in which the surgeon performs all actions through small punctures in the joint. Using a manipulator, he can perform all the necessary actions, including plastic surgery of the joint or removal of part of it. In this case, the surgeon monitors the condition of the joint on the monitor screen, rather than examining the joint live.

During knee arthroscopy, a person makes several punctures in the joint to insert manipulators and a lighted camera. Arthroscopy performed to resect the meniscus lasts about two hours. Arthrotomy involves opening the joint, most often using an oblique incision. It is much larger in size than arthroscopic punctures.

The operation is performed layer by layer, that is, the specialist performs actions with those fragments of the knee that are located in close proximity. At the end of the operation, the incision is sutured with surgical thread.

Arthrotomy is an outdated method that modern surgery almost never uses. It was used even before the advent of laparoscopes, which are now equipped even in regional medical institutions.

Rehabilitation of such patients lasted much longer. As a rule, such a patient will have to spend several days within the walls of a medical institution. After arthroscopy, the very next day patients are sent home for outpatient treatment.

When performing arthroscopy, the surgeon controls his actions on the monitor, where he sees the entire process in real time

Rehabilitation after surgery

Resection of the knee joint, like any surgical intervention, can only be effective if the recommendations of the rehabilitation period are followed. Doctors highlight the main stages of the recovery period:

Relief from swelling and pain.
Gradual return of mobility of the knee joint.
Training, performing exercises that help strengthen muscle tissue in order to regain full control of the knee.
Complete restoration of knee function, return to normal pace of life.

Recovery after surgery should be gradual, and the sequence of the listed stages should be maintained.

So, for the first 4-5 days a person must use crutches to move. Ideally, it is better to avoid heavy loads and walking, because the tissues of the knee joint need to recover. After 5 days, you can start walking, but also gradually, day by day increasing the load when walking.

Exercises that restore knee function should be shown by a specialist. It is necessary to periodically visit the attending physician, who will examine the surgical site in order to promptly identify symptoms of complications.

When a patient may be refused surgery

Even if such an operation is catastrophically important for the patient, in some cases it has to be canceled or rescheduled. So, before the doctor and patient decide on the need for meniscus resection, a period of preparation for the operation follows. The patient undergoes blood and urine tests, the blood type and Rh factor are determined (in case an urgent blood transfusion from a donor is required), as well as the condition of the heart (using the electrocardiogram method).

But even if the patient has passed this stage, he may still be denied surgery, for example, if at the expected time of the procedure he falls ill with respiratory diseases. Exacerbation of chronic viral diseases(for example, herpes) is also a reason for refusing the operation at the moment.

It is necessary to undergo treatment and achieve remission of a chronic disease. Doctors also refuse to perform operations on women during or immediately after menstruation. On other days there are no restrictions on surgical intervention.

Consequences of refusing surgery

Some patients are very afraid of surgical intervention, believing that it is very difficult to predict its outcome, and therefore they delay the decision to surrender to the hands of surgeons until the last minute. The consequences of such a prolongation of the situation can lead to such an unpleasant condition as chondromalacia - the sequential destruction of the knee joint by torn cartilage, which creates friction.

This process occurs gradually, step by step bringing a person closer to disability. It can be compared to arthrosis, when at the last stage degenerative processes almost completely change the anatomy of the joint and destroy all its tissues.

Why is it that sometimes when a meniscus ruptures they are limited? conservative treatment? Each case is individual, and the choice of therapeutic method depends on the area of injury, its location and other factors. Small tears in the cartilage pad can actually heal on their own with just rest for a few days.

The consequence of refusing surgery may be the development of contracture

Moreover, sometimes refusing surgery in favor of applying a plaster cast is a gross medical error. Thus, with large ruptures, the middle areas are most severely affected, and they heal very poorly with conservative treatment.

In addition, immobilization (immobilization of the leg due to a plaster cast) further impairs blood circulation, stops regenerative processes and contributes to the development of persistent contractures. Often, after the removal of the cast, there is a need for surgery, and a larger area of the meniscus has to be restored than immediately after the injury.

Let's sum it up

Meniscus resection is a necessary and frequently performed operation. You should not be afraid of it, because refusing it can leave a person completely disabled. It is also necessary to promptly inform the doctor about any discomfort after surgery in order to prevent possible postoperative complications.

Rehabilitation after surgery consists of physical therapy and physiotherapy; the duration of this recovery period depends on the nature of the injury.

* That is, using special video equipment through two punctures on the sides of the knee joint.

Early recovery

The main goals of early rehabilitation after surgery include:

normalization of blood circulation in the damaged joint and elimination of inflammation;
strengthening the thigh muscles to stabilize the knee;
prevention of contracture (limitation of range of motion).

Physical therapy should be carried out in different body positions:

sitting, passively extending the operated leg, placing a cushion under the heel;
standing on a healthy limb;
lying down, tensing your thigh muscles for 5-10 seconds.

All these exercises can only be performed with the permission of the attending physician in the absence of effusion (inflammatory fluid) and blood in the joint after surgery.

Late recovery

The objectives of late rehabilitation are:

elimination of contracture if it forms;
normalization of gait and restoration of joint function;
strengthening the muscles that stabilize the knee.

For this, exercises in the gym and in the pool are most effective. Cycling and walking are very beneficial. Do not forget that the first few weeks after meniscus resection, it is not advisable to squat and run.

Examples of exercises

An exercise using a 2-meter long rubber band, which is fixed to a stationary object on one side and to a healthy leg on the other. By swinging to the side, you train the muscles of both limbs.

Jump on your leg first over the line, then over the bench. This trains coordination and muscle strength.

Balance training is carried out using a special oscillating platform. The main task is to maintain balance.

When performing exercises on an exercise bike, you must ensure that your leg is straight at the lowest point.

Jumps can be on a flat surface or on a steppe. For greater efficiency, you need to jump straight and sideways.

Running with side steps and walking in water can be done after the wound has completely healed.

Step platform

Physiotherapy

Surgical repair of meniscus

Applying a suture, which is performed in cases of linear rupture, if no more than a week has passed from the moment of damage. It makes sense to apply it only in an area of good blood supply. Otherwise, the tissue will never heal and after some time it will rupture again.
Meniscus replacement with special polymer plates is used quite rarely, usually with extensive destruction and removal of most of the cartilage tissue. In addition, there is the possibility of transplanting fresh frozen donor tissue.

In conclusion, it is worth recalling that if you have suffered a knee injury, you need to contact an experienced traumatologist. The doctor will determine the nature of the damage and provide the necessary treatment. Performing simple exercises for rehabilitation and restoration of meniscus function after surgery will very soon allow you to forget about the unpleasant incident and return to your previous active life.

Meniscus – important anatomical education in the knee joint, acting as a shock absorber. It prevents friction of the articular surfaces during movement, which increases the mobility of the knee joint. Removing the meniscus is an operation performed in extreme cases. In case of a normal sprain, dislocation, subluxation or bruise of the meniscus, it is not removed. The operation is performed only when completely damaged(rupture) of the body of the meniscus. The operation itself is called meniscectomy.

Important! Meniscectomy is a low-traumatic surgical intervention on the knee joint. Despite its low traumatic nature, removal of the meniscus requires rehabilitation. The duration of recovery and rehabilitation depends on the individual characteristics of the patient and ranges from several weeks to several months.

Postoperative period: recovery and rehabilitation in hospital

Immediately after meniscus removal surgery, the doctor draws up a specific recovery and rehabilitation plan, which must be followed strictly.
The first 3 weeks of treatment are the most difficult for the patient. During this period, physical activity is limited. From the moment the sutures are removed (on the 8-10th day), a training program is drawn up for the patient, designed for 2-3 weeks in advance. The exercises are designed in such a way that the simplest ones are performed first, and complex multi-stage workouts are performed closer to discharge.

Important! In the early postoperative period (the first days after removal), the patient’s movement around the ward is only possible on crutches, since the prosthetic menisci have not yet been developed and have not taken root. Avoid excessive physical exercise and stress when the joints are not yet prepared, so as not to cause complications.

First week – knee extension training

In the first days, when complete bed rest is indicated, the patient is recommended to perform the following exercise to restore motor function:

I.p. Lying on the bed. Tighten the muscles on the front of your thigh so as to slightly straighten your leg at the knee joint. Then rest for 10 seconds and repeat the exercise 10-15 times. Do the same with the muscles of the back of the thigh, as if trying to straighten your leg.

When the doctor allows you to sit in bed, the training is made more difficult to speed up rehabilitation:

I.p. Sitting in bed. Raise your shin to a height of 20 cm, straightening your leg at the knee joint, then return it to its original position. Repeat at least 10 times with rest breaks. Static leg hold can be performed while lying in bed. To do this, lift your entire leg, bending it at the hip joint to a height of up to 20 cm, at least 10 times a day.

Week 2 – Knee Flexion Training

Development of flexion in the knee joint is allowed by the end of 1-2 weeks after surgery to remove the meniscus. To do this, do the same set of exercises, only in the opposite direction. That is, instead of extension, the patient bends the leg at the knee joint, pulling the lower leg towards him. To begin with, it is recommended to perform bending while lying in bed with a small amplitude. Then sitting in bed with limbs hanging freely.

The third week of treatment – restoration of normal functioning of all joints

The third week is devoted to restoring the simultaneous functioning of the knee and hip joints. To do this, the patient, lying in bed, must bend his leg so as to rest on his foot. In this case, both the knee and hip joints are involved in the work, which contributes to the greatest versatility of the prosthetic menisci.

Important! If you experience cramps during exercise, don't panic. Pinch yourself firmly on your shin and thigh and continue doing the exercises with less amplitude and intensity.

The exercises must be performed regularly, throughout the days spent in hospital treatment. Only in this case can you feel the first effect of rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy for rehabilitation

Another component of inpatient treatment after meniscus removal is physiotherapeutic procedures. It is recommended to carry out several procedures simultaneously:

Electrical stimulation of the muscles of the reed and lower leg in order to maintain their tone and performance.
UHF therapy to relieve swelling, muscle spasms, improve blood circulation and lymph flow.
Laser therapy.
Therapeutic massage of the thigh and calf muscles is an effective treatment method used to relieve swelling and spasm, as well as improve blood and lymph circulation. Doctors do not recommend massaging the joint itself.

Correcting the patient's condition in the hospital after meniscus removal also involves the use of medications.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of local action in the form of ointments and gels, as well as for oral administration. Drugs in this group not only relieve inflammation, but also pain, which significantly facilitates the rehabilitation process.
Cytoprotective and regenerating agents in the form of solutions for intravenous drip administration. They accelerate healing and protect newly formed tissues from damage by aggressive factors of the internal environment.

Thus, the main goal of inpatient treatment is to prevent the formation of ankylosis and joint contractures, and maintain the tone of the thigh and lower leg muscles.

Recovery and rehabilitation at home

After discharge from the hospital, rehabilitation continues at home, but under the supervision of a physiotherapist. To do this, sports training is carried out aimed at developing movements in the knee joint.

Important! The physiotherapist observes the patient for at least 21 days after discharge from the hospital, when the postoperative scar on the meniscus is fully formed.

The ultimate goal of all training is to restore gait and full mobility of the knee joint, eliminate ankylosis and contractures. For this purpose, simulators and other special devices are used. The number of exercises and their duration are determined individually by the physiotherapist.

Home exercises

To begin with, use simple flexion and extension at the knee joint, raising and lowering the leg, while straining the muscles of the thigh and lower leg. However, they are performed with a greater amplitude than in a hospital, and in several approaches. When lifting a limb, try to hold it at the top for 3-5 seconds, then lower it. Static tension is needed to strengthen muscles.

The use of weight training equipment and a treadmill is possible only with the permission of the attending physician. Classes begin with light loads, gradually increasing the number of approaches and repetitions. In parallel with strength training for rehabilitation, exercises in the pool, swimming, hiking on fresh air. Don't limit yourself in movement. On the contrary, regular exercise is needed to restore normal motor function.

An approximate list of exercises that need to be performed after meniscus removal surgery:

Aerobic exercise: steps on a step platform with a certain interval and rhythm. Steps begin to be performed on a low platform, gradually increasing its height.
Jumping on your feet over an obstacle.
Exercises on an exercise bike (limbs should be straightened at the lowest point of support).
Squats and lunges.
Walking on a treadmill with straight legs.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

After discharge, treatment with physiotherapeutic procedures does not stop. Exposure to UHF currents, laser treatment and magnetic therapy give tangible results. They improve blood flow, relieve inflammation and swelling, and stimulate tissue regeneration. In addition, the patient is advised to continue to visit the massage room regularly.

If necessary, continue taking anti-inflammatory and painkillers.

Educational video: Quick rehabilitation after meniscus removal

Forecast for life

Important! Habitual labor activity after removal of the meniscus, the patient can perform surgery as early as 6 weeks of the postoperative period in the absence of contraindications and complications.

It is believed that by the end of the second month of the recovery period, the sore leg completely restores lost functions that correspond to all the parameters of a healthy leg.

In conclusion, it is worth saying that there is no need to deviate from the treatment, recovery and rehabilitation plan drawn up by the doctor. Get treatment from an experienced traumatologist. A meniscus injury is not something to joke around with. If you follow the treatment and all the recommendations, within a couple of months you will return to your normal lifestyle and forget about these experiences forever.

The meniscus in the knee joint (KJ) is very important because it plays the role of a shock absorber and stabilizer, helping to reduce friction between the bones in contact. However, the resulting injury does not always require surgery on the meniscus (recovery is quite quick, but it complicates life).

Conservative methods of treating injuries such as bruises and lacerations are usually sufficient. A meniscus tear (incomplete/complete, longitudinal/transverse) requires urgent surgical intervention, accompanied by pain, joint blockade, and in the worst case, separation of part of the ISS.

Surgeries to remove the meniscus of the knee joint - meniscectomy and arthroscopy

In modern medicine, this type of operation is performed using arthroscopic equipment, which can reduce the risk of additional damage to the limb and shorten the recovery time after removal of the meniscus. Complications may develop due to surgery; this method reduces the risk of their occurrence.

Knee arthroscopy (meniscus removal)– the operation is easier and more gentle, thanks to which it has become popular among specialists.

Rehabilitation after meniscus arthroscopy – exercises

Since the goal of the surgery was to return the patient to a normal and active life, it is important to begin all exercises as early as possible.

First

Second

The patient is in the same position, while the back of the thigh is tense (similar to the desire to bend the lower leg). Alternating tension and rest is similar to the first option.

Third

Having taken a lying or sitting position on the bed, the patient moves his leg to a distance of 20 to 30 cm, raising the heel. The limb then returns to its original position. Repeat ten times.

Fourth

On the second day of rehabilitation after meniscus resection, the doctor usually recommends starting exercises that directly involve the knee itself.

Fifth

The patient sits or lies, while pulling the heel (the operated leg is working) towards him, maintaining this position for about 5 seconds, then straightens it (initial position).

Sixth

Seventh

To shorten the rehabilitation period after a meniscus tear, it is better to perform all of the above exercises, supplemented with the following two.

Eighth

If a person, while performing exercises, feels sharp or sharp pain that is difficult to endure, you should immediately seek advice from a specialist. If it is mild and tolerable, you can continue to exercise (damaged muscles hurt).

Ninth

Physiotherapy after surgery for ruptured ISS

Used as symptomatic drug treatment anti-inflammatory, painkillers And accelerating the repair process medicines.

For damage to the meniscus, it is prescribed various treatments, which depends on the stage of development of the disease. In case of severe injuries, or due to the lack of results of traditional treatment, removal of the meniscus of the knee joint is prescribed, and the presence of consequences after surgery depends on the rehabilitation period.

Purpose of the meniscus

To understand the possible consequences of a torn meniscus in the knee, you need to know the purpose of this inner part of the knee.

The meniscus is a cartilage plate that performs special functions:

distributes the load on the articular area, increasing its supporting surface;
more elastic cartilage tissue, in relation to other cartilages, serves as a shock absorber for the limb during various movements;
If damage to the cruciate ligaments in the knee occurs, the meniscus prevents displacement of the large femur.

Each knee is equipped with two menisci (internal and external). The outer (lateral) meniscus is fixed more freely in relation to the articular parts, and therefore is rarely subject to injury.

Damage occurs mainly to the medial (inner) knee shock absorber, due to the rigid fixation to the tibia.

Injuries and consequences from damage

Not all meniscus injuries result in surgical procedures. Damage can occur independently, or it can be caused by certain provoking factors.

Meniscus injuries include:

tears of the ligaments and the menisci themselves (partially or completely);
separation of the shock-absorbing cartilage from the fixing area.

The most dangerous injury to the meniscus of the knee joint is considered to be its tear, and the consequences of late seeking medical help can be the most serious:

joint tissues begin to deteriorate, which can lead to disability;
at an advanced stage and unhealed damage, the knee joint goes through several stages of chondromalacia (gradual destruction of torn meniscal flaps and other tissue surfaces of the joint). Osteoarthritis begins;
friction of the joint parts is created, arising from a lack of synovial fluid;
the occurrence of inflammatory pathologies in the knee.

If you treat in a timely manner, the consequences of a knee joint injury can be avoided and you can manage traditional method treatment ( medications together with physiotherapy).

Types of surgical treatment methods

The following methods of knee meniscus surgery are distinguished:

excision (incomplete);
reconstruction of cartilage tissue by stitching;
resection of the damaged area and its replacement with an implant;
arthroscopic method.

Arthroscopy is considered the most effective method surgical intervention, and at the same time the least traumatic.

Surgery to remove the meniscus of the knee joint can be complicated by consequences. This happens due to sharp increase joint load, and the subsequent course of arthrosis or arthritis of the knee joint.

Complete resection of a damaged meniscus is rarely performed. If the meniscus is removed, the consequences may overshadow the entire effect of surgical manipulations.

When an operation is performed with sutures, a postoperative consequence such as re-rupture of the meniscus is possible.

The sooner treatment begins, the greater the opportunity to avoid surgery and further unwanted complications.

Recovery after surgery

The rehabilitation period after meniscus surgery depends on the severity of the injury, the type of surgical intervention, and will be individual for each patient.

The following complications are possible after surgical procedures:

inflammation may develop due to infection entering the cavity;
injury to blood vessels (rare cases), and the occurrence of blood clots;
pinching of nerve fibers in the periarticular area;
allergic reactions after undergoing anesthesia.

The listed complications are possible, but they do not happen often.
To restore motor activity, it is necessary to adhere to medical prescriptions in the postoperative period on the meniscus of the knee joint. When the cartilage plate is removed, you need to take care of the limb for a week, avoiding stress. To move around, it is recommended to use crutches to reduce the load and because a splint is placed on the limb.

Performing special gymnastics to recover from a meniscus injury begins on the second day after surgery. Specific classes are selected for each patient.

Regardless of the method of surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint, it is necessary to prescribe traditional treatment. To exclude postoperative pathologies, anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed, which simultaneously eliminate swelling and normalize blood flow. In the first days after the operation, painkillers are prescribed.

It is necessary to follow the following basic rules for the rehabilitation and restoration of the meniscus after a rupture and surgery:

in the first week, when moving, be sure to use support (cane or crutches);
Loading on the operated limb should be done gradually. To do this, special exercises are performed to restore muscle tissue and joint ligaments;
it is necessary to use special knee braces (orthoses). Orthopedic products protect the fragile limb from damage and support the knee in the correct position;
more complex physical exercises can be started 6 or 7 weeks after surgery.

If resection of the meniscus of the knee joint is performed, recovery after surgery lasts longer compared to arthroscopy. It happens that the body does not accept the implant and rejects the foreign body. To exclude such a serious complication, the patient’s well-being is monitored by a doctor. Light exercise is allowed no earlier than 6 weeks after surgery.

For professional athletes who have suffered a knee injury and subsequently undergone surgery, a special recovery technique has been developed. Rehabilitation activities are aimed at developing individual muscle groups. Specially designed exercises are used for this purpose.

Recovery after arthroscopy

The operation using arthroscopy is a modern and gentle method of partial resection of the meniscus. The essence of the manipulation lies in the following surgical points:

several incisions are made in the articular cavity through which the optical device is inserted;
with the help of an inserted probe, the torn part of the cartilage is removed;
the edges of the pointed fabric are carefully sewn up;
At the last stage of surgery, the remaining elements of the meniscus are fixed to the joint capsule.

The gentle technique allows you to eliminate postoperative complications and, with further adherence to the recovery period, return to your previous lifestyle.

During the recovery time after arthroscopy, you must adhere to the following rules:

Complete restoration of the knee joint is possible after 3 months or a year. Recovery period calculated according to individual characteristics body, and severity of injury;
starting from the second day after arthroscopy, you need to perform special exercises. Walk with crutches for at least 3 weeks, and then for the same amount of time with a special brace (orthosis);
Any full-fledged physical activity or sports activities are allowed after six months from the date of surgery. If the patient was involved in a team sport before the injury, then training is allowed no earlier than after 9 months.

During the entire rehabilitation period, it is necessary to follow medical prescriptions. Usually massage sessions, physiotherapy courses, and special physical education are prescribed. To restore joint tissue, a course of medications is prescribed.

Rehabilitation after suturing a torn meniscus

In the first postoperative days, any movement is carried out only with crutches. Small, partial loads are allowed after a month.

Normal, everyday exercise is allowed at week 5.

If a doctor’s permission has been received, then you can start training after 2 months, once the recovery measures are completed. Extended, long-term training is allowed after six months from the date of surgery.

Injury prevention

Anyone can get injured in the knee. But, if you take basic care and take preventive measures, you can avoid injuries.

If you engage in professional sports, you must definitely use special fixing knee pads that protect the knee from impact and prevent injuries when falling.

Moderate physical activity is required. Among sports activities, it is better to give preference to such as cycling, race walking, jogging. With such sports activities, the knee joint will be strengthened, and the likelihood of injury will be minimal.

With increased physical activity, there is always a possibility of damage to the knee joint.

Rehabilitation after removal of the meniscus of the knee joint involves restoring mobility and normal functionality of the joint after surgery; this is an important aspect of treatment. Surgery to remove the meniscus is indicated if restoration of mobility by conservative methods is impossible. This is a complex surgical procedure, after which complex rehabilitation measures consisting of several complexes are required.

Why is rehabilitation necessary?

Menisci are small layers of cartilage tissue located in the knee joint and bearing important functions, such as shock absorption and stabilization of the entire joint, which prevents injury and premature wear of the cartilaginous lining of the articular surfaces. Surgical interventions for damaged meniscus play an important role, since they recover on their own only with small tears, and the menisci take a very long time to heal after repair surgery.

But if the injury is serious, leading to significant tears of the meniscus, then this, as a rule, leads to a blockade, that is, limited mobility in the joint, and the appearance of severe pain. The condition does not respond to conservative treatment measures; in addition, there is a feeling of instability and looseness of the joint.

These phenomena serve as direct indications for meniscectomy, since when the meniscus ruptures, serious damage and disintegration of the bodies do not recover on their own, but painful sensations and impaired motor capabilities of the joint greatly impact the patient’s quality of life.

There are two ways to remove the meniscus:

open;
closed, arthroscopic.

The first is not used in modern medicine, the reason for this is high trauma, as a result of opening the joint cavity. A meniscectomy performed arthroscopically allows the surgeon to perform the operation with minimal damage to the structures and minimizing the risk of unpleasant consequences.

The arthroscope allows you to illuminate and transmit to the monitor an image of what is happening in the joint; multifunctionality and video control allow the surgeon to excise a part, suture a defect, or completely remove the damaged meniscus from the joint cavity with high accuracy, without the risk of damaging nearby structures. And the closed nature of the surgical intervention minimizes the risk of infection, which does not complicate rehabilitation and recovery.

Recovery after surgery

Measures to restore the field of meniscus surgery are aimed at returning the patient to full activity as quickly as possible, so rehabilitation is a very important component of treatment. A speedy recovery and return to normal activity is impossible without the participation of the patient himself, which requires a responsible attitude to all requirements and strict implementation of all recommendations and measures.

For reference! On average, after removal of the meniscus, rehabilitation takes about 3-4 months, but the most difficult, usually, are the first few weeks, when the patient is not able to fully move independently.

Postoperative period

While in the hospital during the postoperative period, the patient undergoes various sets of procedures, primarily aimed at removing swelling, reducing pain, preventing the appearance of contractures and normalizing blood circulation:

Various massages for the joint are prescribed.
Almost immediately you need to start doing exercises to maintain muscle tone, mainly the quadriceps.
For early development of the joint, a special device can be used to bend the limb at the knee at the required small angle.

Early rehabilitation after meniscus surgery involves two types of exercises, isometric and those that involve the joint itself. Isometric exercises are called exercises to maintain muscle tone until movement in the joint is allowed:

While lying down or sitting on the bed, the patient tightens the quadriceps femoris muscle every ten seconds so that the patella bone is pulled slightly upward. Also, in this position, the muscles of the posterior thigh, which are responsible for flexing the lower leg, tense.
Having taken a sitting or lying position in bed, you should raise your heel and move your leg 30-40 centimeters, then return it to its original position; this is also an effective exercise for training muscles.
Another exercise is performed as follows: It is necessary to raise the straightened leg by 15 - 20 centimeters and hold it in this position for several seconds. Later, on the second or third day after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint, doctors allow exercises with knee flexion in order to develop the joint itself, if this is not physically difficult.
In a supine position on the bed, the patient, bending his leg, pulls his heel towards him; if this does not hurt, then you can lift it.
A good effect is achieved by bending the knee under the body's own weight. To do this, you need to sit on the edge of the bed and, slowly relaxing the thigh muscles, bend the limb at the knee; you can also do this while standing, leaning on something.

All activities should be performed carefully, wearing a knee brace for fixation. This complex of physical therapy will help develop the knee and restore muscle tone; it should be performed 5-6 times a day, after which the developed joint can move normally, and the patient is discharged.

The main set of rehabilitation measures requires proper attention, since neglecting them can adversely affect a person’s subsequent performance. If the dynamics of the rehabilitation period are positive, patients are allowed to perform the following actions after 1-5 months:

squat;
walking up stairs;

bike rides;
gymnastics;
jogging;
jumping;
squats with additional weight4
swimming lessons.

Exercise therapy for a meniscus injury and other exercises will help to effectively restore functional activity in the joint, the tone of the muscle groups that provide movement in it, and eliminate or prevent the development of contractures.

Forecast

The prognosis for surgery and recovery after meniscal resection is favorable for all patients.

Important! Removal of the meniscus will not cause complications or impairment of the joint’s motor capabilities and will allow the return of full functional activity. If the request was timely, the operation was successful, adequate rehabilitation was completed after removal of the meniscus, the prognosis is favorable.

The rehabilitation period largely depends on the quality of the operation performed, the experience of the operating surgeon, the severity of the injury and other aspects. Modern medical technology make it possible to increasingly use minimally invasive techniques to remove menisci, which can significantly facilitate and shorten the period of postoperative recovery. This allows patients to return to Everyday life As soon as possible.

The meniscus is one of the significant structural parts of the knee joint, acting as a stabilizer and shock absorber of the knee, a load balancer. The most important organ in this section is not in its only form: it is represented by the medial and lateral bodies. What are they? These are fibrocartilaginous formations on a collagen and elastin basis, characterized by high strength, elasticity and excellent elasticity. The menisci are crescent-shaped and are located between the articulating articular surfaces, separating the femoral and tibia. The peculiar cartilages are sometimes called cartilage spacers.

Despite their extreme physiological strength, the meniscus bodies are not immune to damage. And especially from pathological ruptures that can occur due to various knee injuries. Such an unfortunate excess often occurs during sports, with axial physical loads in combination with rotation of the lower leg. Often, to eliminate a cartilage defect, surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint is used, the postoperative period after which has its limitations. If the injury is not serious, then, in principle, it can be treated conservatively. In any case, it is necessary to undergo specialized diagnostics so that competent therapy can be prescribed.

Traumatic ruptures, according to practical observations, occur mainly at the age of 20-30 years, and degenerative ones - after 40 years. In the group of patients with similar pathologies, athletes and males dominate. Statistics show that men are almost 4 times more likely to have problems with the meniscus than women. The cartilage lining can also be damaged under the influence of chronic degenerative-dystrophic processes localized in the knee joint, which is mainly observed in adulthood and old age. Destructured cartilage may well rupture without a traumatic factor; those who suffer from grade 2-3 gonarthrosis should know about this.

What happens if a meniscus injury is not treated?

It is impossible not to warn about the possible negative prospects that await the patient if he did not consider it necessary to receive medical help immediately after the traumatic incident. Walking with an incomplete element is fraught with the development of very unpleasant consequences, including:

complete separation of a fragment of cartilage;
severe degradation of the adjacent hyaline covers lining the surfaces of the articular bones;
violation of the ligamentous apparatus;
muscle atrophy of the problematic lower limb;
the occurrence of arthrosis, arthritis, synovitis;
intra-articular hemorrhage;
“jamming” or instability of the knee, etc.

And this is just a small part severe complications, which threaten a person if qualified surgical care is not provided in a timely manner. People with pre-existing arthrosis or rheumatoid arthritis of local localization also need to be on alert, since a violation of the integrity of this body can happen even in a state of rest. Therefore, a systematic examination by the attending physician, diagnostic procedures, and a preventive course for such patients is a prerequisite!

Attention! The tricky thing about untreated meniscus injuries is that first strong pain It may be disturbing for some time, and then it will subside altogether, creating an imaginary idea of a successful recovery. And after several years, the once hidden pathogenesis manifests itself, but in a more sophisticated form - in addition with a complex of degenerative-dystrophic changes that generally cover the entire bone joint. Coping with significant degradation will already be very problematic. It is not a fact that all this will not ultimately lead to the forced need to remove the articular structure and install a total endoprosthesis.

Indications for surgery

For what diagnoses is surgery indicated - suturing the meniscus of the knee joint, cutting off the disintegrated edges or its complete removal, inserting a synthetic implant? Common problems requiring corrective surgery include the following types of injuries, confirmed by MRI and radiography:

separation of a flap (fragment) of the meniscus;
central longitudinal gap;
large-scale fragmentation;
peripheral rupture with or without displacement.

As for the separation of the cartilage flap: here it is urgent to perform surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint; the postoperative period will need to be taken as seriously as possible. If the necessary measures are not taken in time, the free existence of the severed body will impede movement, cause terrible pain and block the knee. The separated fragment, however, like the dangling piece, will begin to create a mechanical obstacle, since during the motor act it will fall into the main working center of the joint.

Important! It should be clearly understood that the speed and fullness of the return of functional potential subsequently depends on compliance with a special postoperative regimen, and it does not matter what type of manipulation was carried out - correction or removal.

Rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint is no less significant than the plastic surgery of the functional element itself. Therefore, in no case should you neglect the basic recommendations that will be given by a specialist. Only flawless adherence to a recovery program based on improvement of the ligamentous apparatus and regeneration of the operated area will allow for a quick and successful rehabilitation, as well as avoiding quite dangerous complications.

Arthroscopic procedure

Many people are hesitant to undergo surgery because they do not know that manipulation of the meniscus of the knee joint is not so scary. Partial or complete resection is done in the most gentle way: without pain, cuts and blood, using a safe and effective regional anesthetic. Patients are concerned about whether it is possible to run after removal of the meniscus of the knee joint (watch our video on the topic) and engage in physical exercise?

Let's just say that people are allowed to lead their usual lifestyle, where running, jumping, cycling, and so on are not contraindicated, but only after a thorough restoration of the operated area. There are many real examples where even football players return to the game after such an intervention, and actively take part in competitions, playing at a professional sports level.

It is very important for the patient’s life to undergo rehabilitation so that after surgery the meniscus of the knee joint does not change for the worse. It will be as dynamic and rich as before. Well, we already discussed the dangers of inaction at the very beginning of the article. Now, actually, let's talk about the surgical procedure itself.

Modern medical technologies allow injured cartilaginous structures to be restored minimally invasively. Thanks to this, recovery after surgery, usually a suture is placed on the meniscus, is quick and without any difficulties. For therapeutic and restorative purposes, the arthroscopy method is used. The procedure is performed using a fiber-optic endoscopic device equipped with a video device called an arthroscope.

The optical device looks like a thin probe. The probe is inserted through a puncture in the skin (diameter 5 mm) inside the joint and brought directly to the damaged object, which is visualized on the operating screen in enlarged sizes. The minimally invasive technique can also be used as a diagnostic tool if traditional diagnostic methods turn out to be insufficiently informative.
Having decided on the treatment tactics, which will depend on the type and severity of the damage, the surgeon, using an additional puncture and special instruments, begins to perform the main tasks of eliminating defects on the meniscal body. The doctor, as far as possible, will try to preserve the cartilage tissue as much as possible, sparingly removing only clearly non-viable areas.
There are two most common correction techniques: suturing the linear tear or excision of the marginal dislocated areas. In the first case, a suture will be applied using medical threads using a special technology. In the second, microsurgical instruments will be used to resect the flaps in the peripheral part, and then polish the edges of the meniscus. If free fragments are detected, the specialist removes them from the joint space.
At the end of the session, the surgical field is washed. Small skin incisions are sutured, treated with antiseptic agents and covered with a sterile dressing. No plaster needed.

In case of generalized crushing of structures or an excessively large gap cartilaginous layer, most likely, will be deleted completely. In practice, such a clinic is extremely rare. As for implantation or transplantation, today the methods of implanting artificial implants and donor cartilage grafts of the knee are at an experimental stage. Therefore, such high-tech methods in modern meniscus surgery have not yet become widespread.

General principle of rehabilitation

So, a person has had a meniscal tear in the knee joint repaired: rehabilitation after surgery is the next significant stage of treatment. Now everything depends not on the hands of the surgeon, but on the responsibility and correctness of the patient’s actions. Your first mentors, of course, throughout this period of time will be professional specialists in orthopedics, traumatology and physical therapy.

We invite you to watch video materials posted on our website about rehabilitation after surgery on the menisci of the knee joints. They contain a lot useful information and valuable advice from traumatologists. But do not forget that for each individual medical case an individual rehabilitation plan is drawn up. It is compiled by an experienced rehabilitation therapist together with the attending physician, but not by the patient himself!

You should find out not from articles or videos whether you can run after removal of the menisci of the knee joints in the near future and when restrictions will not apply to you, but from the words of your doctor. Only he knows about all the nuances of your illness, the specifics of the intervention performed, the dynamics of recovery processes, and concomitant diseases. Information sources from the Internet serve as a rough guide, and not as a call to act according to a generalized recommendation scheme.

Important! Injuries can be isolated (only the cartilage is torn) and combined (in addition, the ligaments are broken). Not all people are diagnosed with the same type of meniscus tear in the knee joint, and rehabilitation after surgery will therefore also be different in some way. This concerns the timing of immobilization; quantity, type, duration and intensity physical activity at different stages; taking medications; time of lifting the bans.

If we talk about recovery goals after meniscus surgery, they are equally based on principles such as:

normalization of blood circulation and elimination of inflammation in the knee;
elimination of pain sensitivity;
prevention of infections;
creating favorable conditions for activating reparative regeneration of cartilage structures;
strengthening the hip muscles to stabilize the knee;
prevention of the formation of contractures and blood clots in the vessels of the legs;
restoration and maintenance of the ligamentous system;
restoration of the full range of motion in the joint and the ability to support the limb.

After meniscus tears in the knee joint, rehabilitation after surgery is important to undergo under the strict supervision of an exercise therapy instructor, an orthopedic traumatologist, and a physiotherapist. On an individual basis, doctors must prescribe a leading set of rehabilitation measures, including:

physical therapy;
physiotherapeutic procedures;
drug therapy.

Depending on the surgical tactics used (incomplete or total removal), the exercise therapy complex begins on days 2-7. If the surgery involved suture repair, usually with physical activities take your time until the corrected structures heal normally. At an early stage, it is allowed to walk, protecting the leg from full axial load, and it is important to use an elbow crutch or a cane. Walking with supporting devices is indicated for at least 7-10 days if the body was completely removed, and about 1.5-2 months if it was sutured.

If there have been tears of the meniscus of the knee joint, after surgery, rehabilitation must include electrical stimulation of the soft tissues of the thigh and specially selected exercises that restore the tone of the muscles of the lower leg and thigh. Lymphatic drainage massage of the limb, magnetic therapy and laser therapy are also prescribed, aimed at reducing pain symptoms, eliminating and preventing swelling, and stimulating local metabolism.

In the postoperative period, no matter what kind of meniscus surgery you have had, you should use a knee brace or elastic bandage to fix the knee joint during any physical activity. At the initial stages, passive exercises are performed, then gradually the degree of load is increased and new exercises are added. In 3 weeks, with a competent approach, full knee flexion/extension is achieved and without unpleasant sensations.

About 7 weeks after removal of the damaged meniscus, it is likely that you will be able to start jogging (see the video for jogging style), but it is unlikely that the doctor will lift all restrictions at this time. At approximately the same stage, strength training, swimming, jumping, walking up stairs, standing on your toes, exercising on an exercise bike, working with a ball, and also doing special tasks, standing on one leg (operated). Leading an active lifestyle, regardless of medical prescriptions and contraindications, is usually allowed after about 2.5-4 months.

Rehabilitation set of exercises

Early recovery

Late recovery

Examples of exercises

Physiotherapy

Surgical repair of meniscus

What are knee menisci?

Causes of various meniscus injuries

Meniscus treatment methods, reviews

When is knee meniscus surgery prescribed?

What types of manipulations are used?

Application of knee arthroscopy

Knee meniscus surgery – duration

Rehabilitation during treatment with conservative methods, reviews

Rehabilitation after surgery

Postoperative complications

Exercising after surgery

Learn more about recovery from a knee meniscus tear

Injuries to the meniscus of the knee joint

Rehabilitation after removal of the meniscus of the knee joint

Complications of meniscus removal

Surgeries to remove the meniscus of the knee joint - meniscectomy and arthroscopy

Rehabilitation after meniscus arthroscopy – exercises

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Fifth

Sixth

Seventh

Eighth

Ninth

Physiotherapy after surgery for ruptured ISS

A set of exercises for rehabilitation

Early period recovery

Late period recovery

Examples of exercises

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Postoperative period

Possible consequences of surgery

Basic rehabilitation measures

Sports rehabilitation

Meniscus of the knee joint

Types of knee injuries

Clinical signs

Operation

How is arthroscopy performed?

Rehabilitation period

A few words about the meniscus

Indications for partial (partial) resection and possible complications

Synovitis as a dangerous complication

Arthroscopy and arthrotomy

Rehabilitation after surgery

When a patient may be refused surgery

Consequences of refusing surgery

Let's sum it up

Early recovery

Late recovery

Examples of exercises

Physiotherapy

Surgical repair of meniscus

Postoperative period: recovery and rehabilitation in hospital

First week – knee extension training

Week 2 – Knee Flexion Training

The third week of treatment – ​​restoration of normal functioning of all joints

Physiotherapy for rehabilitation

Recovery and rehabilitation at home

Home exercises

Physiotherapeutic treatment

Educational video: Quick rehabilitation after meniscus removal

Forecast for life

Surgeries to remove the meniscus of the knee joint - meniscectomy and arthroscopy

Rehabilitation after meniscus arthroscopy – exercises

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Fifth

Sixth

Seventh

The third week of treatment – restoration of normal functioning of all joints