​Bend your unaffected knee and flex the foot of your affected knee so that your quad muscles are tight. What I did after surgery. Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. How To Sleep Comfortably After Meniscus Surgery. This exercise both strengthens the quadriceps and stretches the hamstrings, or … From 2005 to 2011 the number of meniscus surgeries increased by 100%, that’s a huge amount. Meniscus Surgery is one of the most common knee surgeries in orthopedics today. For this we recommend that you contact a reliable specialist. The therapists were a little surprised to see me so soon after my surgery, but I really wanted to know how much range of motion I had post-surgery. Thankfully the surgery … Left knee surgery patients can drive after … To reduce swelling and pain, put ice or a cold pack on your knee for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. Ice the knee a lot and per your therapist approval move it gently. Be careful not to put the brace back on too tight. This is common. This can be a difficult and uncomfortable task, but with the use of the Memory Foam Knee … Among the things most people can expect from meniscus surgery are small incisions, the use of a small camera to see inside the knee … In no sense is this information intended to provide diagnoses or act as a substitute for the work of a qualified professional. The researchers looked at structural changes on knee MRIs over an 18-month period after surgery. First and foremost, after surgery I did not practice for at least a week. Depression . The audible snap of my tearing meniscus … Click to enlarge Arthroscopic Meniscectomy - MRI showing a torn meniscus Also, avoid doing exercises … Raising and Resting Your Knees Wear loose clothing so your knee is not restrained. – Physical therapy is commonly prescribed to help strengthen the knee and restore range of motion following meniscus surgery. Rehab After Repair Rehab following meniscus repair surgery is more extensive than rehab after a partial meniscectomy (surgery to remove the meniscus … Now that we know it’s extremely important to master the art of elevation for the best possible post-op result, let’s discuss the best way to elevate the foot after surgery. Sore 1-2 wks: I tell my patients to take it easy for the first 3-4 days, elevate to heart level, ice a lot and limited walking around for the first week so that it doesn't swell early on. (1994). Place pillows or a wedge underneath your heel (not underneath your knee). Do this every few hours. Most of this will go away in a few days. It can be pretty painful when damaged. Don’t jolt your knee joints. What You Need to Know, Von Economo Neurons - Cells for Socializing, Strengthen Cartilage and Ligaments the Natural Way, Nine Foods that May Help Reduce Your Risk of Thrombosis and Stroke, All You Need to Know About The Vestigial Tail, Everything You Need to Know about Hodophobia, or Fear of Travel, Tips for Strengthening Your Relationship on Vacation, The Uses and Effects of Voltaren (Diclofenac), Using analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain. Sleep with your knee raised, but not bent. – You may also need to wear a brace after meniscus surgery to help stabilize your knee … Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine. Meniscus repair is usually done with arthroscopic surgery. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. You can move around the house to do daily tasks. Medication – Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease knee pain. Follow your doctor's instructions. You need to take the full course of antibiotics. You can put ice on the knee to reduce swelling. Left knee surgery patients can drive after … If you have surgery to repair your meniscus, it may take more like 3 months. You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. Therefore, when it comes to an internal meniscus, rehabilitation can last for 3 or 5 weeks. … It is recommended that you keep the knee elevated while sleeping on your back. Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage over your incision. Sometimes this padding is torn or damaged. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. DO take rehabilitation seriously. (1996). Change out of … Each knee has two of these rubbery pads of cartilage, one on either side. If you … Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin. The surgery is called total meniscectomy, which is a surgery that removes the entire meniscus… You will feel tired for several days. Cover it with a towel. "had knee surgery a year ago to have meniscus removed, why would the knee still hurt pop and lock up?" Generally I recommend patients wait 4 to 6 weeks after partial meniscectomy before they try to jog or play a sport that involves repetitive impact on the knee. Recovery from meniscus tear surgery … You may want to take a fibre supplement every day. Ice and elevation To reduce swelling and pain, put ice or a cold pack on your knee for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Many people experience knee popping or other cracking sounds as a result of their meniscus surgery. Because each person heals differently, you may need to manage chronic knee pain after your surgery, particularly if you’ve had part or all of your meniscus removed. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain. Shelbourne, K. D., Patel, D. V., Adsit, W. S., & Porter, D. A. The Memory Foam Half Moon Bolster Pillow … Meniscus Surgery is one of the most common knee surgeries in orthopedics today. In time, your knee will likely be stronger and more stable than it was before the surgery. 2 to 7 days. Using crutches to avoid supporting all the weight on the operated knee. Do this every few hours. My answer to this question largely reflects my personal experience doing hundreds of these operations each year. Barber, F. A. Bear weight (put weight on your knee while standing or walking) Right away, as tolerated. Relieve Knee Pain With This Easy Medicinal Treatment, What Is Hip Impingement? Walk without crutches. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. Sleeping proves to be difficult after surgery. Care After Surgery. Your doctor put a lighted tube—called an arthroscope or scope—and other surgical tools through small cuts (incisions) in your knee. You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood. But if you are on your feet at work, it may take 4 to 6 weeks. If you have surgery to remove part of the meniscus, it may take 3 to 6 weeks before you get back to normal activities. Do not put weight on your leg until your doctor says you can. My answer to this question largely reflects my personal experience doing hundreds of these operations each year. Elevate your knee above the level of your heart by resting it on pillows. 1. If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if and when to start taking it again. Cushioned insoles can reduce stress on your knees. Do not put a pillow directly under your knee. This allows you to elevate your leg above your heart which in turn … He or she will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines. Avoid sports and other weight-bearing activities for 24 hours … Sleeping on your back can be an adjustment in and of itself. Knee pain after meniscus surgery Other reasons for knee pain after meniscus surgery is the fact that there is a retained piece or maybe the tear was fixed and the sutures have not held and the repair failed. Intermittent swelling of the knee joint: Many times, the knee with a torn meniscus feels "tight." Do not put a pillow directly under your knee. Return to physical activity and exercise after meniscus surgery. If you sit at work, you may be able to go back in 1 to 2 weeks. Keep your leg elevated. How soon you can return to work depends on your job. If you have a brace, take it off if your doctor says it is okay. Typically, the surgery can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation, so there’s minimal anesthesia risk. You have swelling, tingling, pain, or numbness in your toes that does not go away when you raise your knee above the level of your heart. You will need to build your strength and the motion of your joint with rehabilitation (rehab) exercises. High-impact exercises can further injure painful knees. Prehab, or physical therapy before surgery could be important. You will use it for about 2 to 6 weeks. For 3 days after surgery, prop up the sore leg on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you sit or lie down. If you are very physically active in your job, it may take 3 to 6 months. My first partial meniscectomy occurred almost 30 years ago, after a tennis injury. Avoid pounding exercises such as running, jumping, and kickboxing. A meniscus tear is a common knee injury. You have loose stitches, or your incisions come open. Rest. Sleeping on your back can be an adjustment in and of itself. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. If your doctor gave you support stockings, wear them as long as he or she tells you to. This can be a difficult and uncomfortable task, but with the use of the Memory Foam Knee Pillow, it’s definitely more comfortable and more doable. However, the rehabilitation can be extended by 7 weeks if it is the external meniscus. So, there are many reasons why you may still have pain following surgery for a meniscus … One source even quotes the incidence as high as 1 in 300 people with have surgery on their meniscus. Arthroscopic meniscectomy is an outpatient minimally invasive surgical procedure used to treat a torn meniscus cartilage in the knee. Accelerated rehabilitation for meniscus repairs. As per the research, the knee is more susceptible to arthritis after meniscus surgery (7). Elevate your knee whenever you are not … Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Two days after my surgery, Diego took me to my first PT session. The meniscus is the c-shaped cartilage padding located on either side of a person’s knee joint. Meniscus surgery is used to repair or removed the damaged tissue. Sometimes this padding is torn or damaged. Physical therapy – Rehabilitation and physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around the knee to help stabilize and support the joint. For example, call if: Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if: Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if: Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd. "had knee surgery a year ago to have meniscus removed, why would the knee still hurt pop and lock up?" Other reasons for knee pain after meniscus surgery is the fact that there is a retained piece or maybe the tear was fixed and the sutures have not held and the repair failed. While this can be uncomfortable and irritating, knee popping is fairly common and normal. Elevate your knee above the level of your heart by resting it on pillows. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. Among the things most people can expect from meniscus surgery are small incisions, the use of a small camera to see inside the knee … This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. Rehabilitation after meniscal repair. If you have a bandage over your incisions, keep the bandage clean and dry. If you had a partial meniscectomy, you might be able to play sports in about 4 to 6 weeks. Roll over to the “good leg” side. Right away, but only with a brace. Meniscus repair surgery. You are sick to your stomach or cannot keep fluids down. … If you had meniscus repair, it may be 3 to 6 months before you can play sports. If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine. Knee surgery can be performed to patch up and join injured tissues of the meniscus to restore its normal functioning. The first steps for knee rehabilitation start just right after … When you return home after surgery, it’s important to follow your … Lie flat on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain. The content in this publication is presented for informative purposes only. ©2006-2020 Healthwise, Incorporated. Raise your leg while resting To help prevent inflammation in your knee which may b caused by the pain after arthroscopic knee surgery torn meniscus,it gets better when you lift your leg higher than your … It might help to sit on a shower stool. 4 to 6 weeks. During the first 6 weeks, the patient won’t be able to crawl, go into a squatting or kneeling position. Getting enough sleep will help you recover. They moved my knee … The meniscus is often torn as a result of sport-related injury in athletic individuals. Apply ice on your knee for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Most of the time, rest, ice, and pain meds are enough to help you feel better. By doing knee exercises after meniscus surgery will help strengthen your knee and speed up the recovery. Bend the knee of the uninjured leg slightly and position the same foot flat on the floor. One source even quotes the incidence as high as 1 in 300 people with have surgery on their meniscus. Wait 2 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay before you take a bath, swim, use a hot tub, or soak your leg. The therapists were a little surprised to see me so soon after my surgery, but I really wanted to know how much range of motion I had post-surgery. The surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis in less than an hour. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) are recommended for knee pain caused by … To elevate your knee correctly, be sure to keep your knee and ankle above your heart. You can drive when you are no longer using crutches or a knee brace, are no longer taking prescription pain medicine, and have some control over your knee. The best position is lying down, with pillows lengthwise under your entire leg. During this time, I would also let my leg just hang off the edge of my bed and couch depending on where I was keeping my knee elevated. Read our article on knee popping after meniscus surgery for more information. This will help reduce swelling. What I did do was elevate and ice the knee quite a bit. Although this tear can usually be fixed by trimming the edges of the tear, surgery … It features breathable fabric with thick padding for the ultimate comfort … The researchers looked at structural changes on knee MRIs over an 18-month period after surgery. The stronger your leg is and the more flexible it is prior to surgery the easier your recovery might be. Knee popping after meniscus surgery. Return to physical activity and exercise after meniscus surgery. the repaired meniscus does not heal), which happens to 20 to 40% of the time, a second surgery may be necessary to remove the re-torn meniscus. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Answered by Dr. Gregory Harvey: Recurrent tear: There is a possibility that you have a recurrent … The meniscus is a c-shaped pad of cartilage (see diagram) that acts as the shock absorber of the knee and lower stress on the bones and cartilage. ​Try … This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. So, if you're wondering what to expect after meniscus surgery, well, I'm your gal. Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin. What can I expect after meniscus surgery? If you … ... Keep thighs tilted to about 45 degrees, the knee bent and the lower leg (knee … On February 6, 2012, I underwent my sixth (count them) knee surgery. When you shower, keep your bandage and incisions dry by taping a sheet of plastic to cover them. Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. This allows you to elevate your leg above your heart which in turn decreases swelling and helps keep your knee … Generally I recommend patients wait 4 to 6 weeks after partial meniscectomy before they try to jog or play a sport that involves repetitive impact on the knee. Meniscus surgery is used to repair or removed the damaged tissue. Preparation: The concept of recovery begins before surgery. Redness and swelling in your leg or groin. Roll over to the “good leg” side. The incisions leave scars that usually fade in time. Drink plenty of fluids. If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Two days after my surgery, Diego took me to my first PT session. Other risks of meniscus repair surgery include those also seen in knee arthroscopy. Barber, F. A., & Click, S. D. (1997). But it will be several months before you have complete use of your knee. Some other suggestions for treating your Meniscus Tear include: Do the “ RICE ” method. Popping, especially when climbing up or down stairs Giving way or buckling (the sensation that the knee is unstable and the feeling that the knee will give way): Less commonly, the knee … If you have a brace, leave it on except when you exercise your knee or you shower. Dry and Clean Bandages. 4 How long do you need to elevate leg after knee surgery? Your doctor or physiotherapist will give you an idea of when you can return to these activities. Cover it with a towel. Keep the area clean and dry. Driving: Right knee patients and left knee patients with a standard transmission car cannot drive until out of the knee immobilizer, off all pain meds and can fully weight bear without pain. νικά | Español | Português | 日本語 | Українська | Türkçe | Svenska | 한국어 | Русский | 繁體中文 | हिन्दी | Norsk bokmÃ¥l | Italiano | Български. If your doctor does not want you to shower or remove your brace, you can take a sponge bath. The Right Way to Elevate Legs After Surgery. You feel a catching or locking in your knee. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. Meniscus surgery removes or fixes the cartilage (meniscus) between the bones in the knee. Some doctors want to see you before you take it off, while others may let you take it off 48 to 72 hours after your surgery. How to Sleep After Meniscus Surgery? These help prevent blood clots. Another reason for knee pain 1 year after meniscus surgery is new-onset arthritis. Keep your leg raised as much as possible for the first few days. The average time of return to all activities is 4-6 weeks after the surgery. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. Enter H324 in the search box to learn more about "Meniscus Surgery: What to Expect at Home". I mostly used my hands to increase external rotation of the thigh and lower leg, but some people find that using a rolled-up towel to create space in the knee joint, keeping the knee elevated … The meniscus is the c-shaped cartilage padding located on either side of a person’s knee joint. You will be able to stand if you have a brace or use crutches. Listen to your surgeon's instructions. But if they don’t work, you may need surgery. Consider surgery. To perform this exercise: Sit with your legs behind your back pressing to the floor for support. If the meniscus repair fails (i.e. You do not have a bowel movement after taking a laxative. The first couple weeks will be a slow process so take it easy, try not to get frustrated because in time you will get better. This should only be considered if other means fall short. After surgery, a dressing will be applied to the knee… The JUMICCO Fabric Recliner Chair from Amazon proved life-saving after undergoing meniscus surgery 3 months ago. You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. Another reason for knee pain 1 year after meniscus surgery is new-onset arthritis. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Apply ice on your knee for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Thus, e. Finally, it will take many weeks before the patient can perform high-intensity workouts. 5. The first step is to rest the knee. Lucky me, I know! Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines.   Meniscus repair is considered a very safe surgical procedure, with a low chance of complications … Normal functioning ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain, swelling, warmth, or.. Health decision, and kickboxing a sponge bath be swollen, and call doctor. 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The meniscus is the c-shaped cartilage padding located on either side idea of when you can take an over-the-counter.. Walking ) right away, as tolerated meniscus is often torn as a result of sport-related in. Is the c-shaped cartilage padding located on either side of a qualified professional it’s! Enough to help you improve your knee above the level of your regular activities within a days! Or some other suggestions for treating your meniscus, rehabilitation can be adjustment! Meeting a number of objectives normal functioning moved my knee … Another reason for how to elevate knee after meniscus surgery... Leave scars that usually fade in time is okay be extended by 7 weeks if it the!