Rehabilitation after knee meniscus surgery

The meniscus plays a role in absorbing forces and stabilizing the load in a healthy knee joint. Sometimes it can be damaged. As a result, the patient needs surgery. When removing the meniscus of the knee joint, there are possible health consequences. After it, a period of rehabilitation begins, as a result of which the mobility of the operated leg should be fully restored.

Why a healthy meniscus is important

In the knee joint on each leg there are two sickle-shaped fiber-cartilaginous formations: on the inside and outside. They are resilient, flexible and very durable. Despite their reliability, they can be damaged. There are several reasons for this:

1. As the body ages, they can wear out, become thinner and lose strength.
2. With constant and strong impact on the joints, wear of the bones occurs, and the likelihood of damage increases.
3. As a result of an accident, a very strong impact can occur, which can lead to destruction.

A particularly difficult situation occurs when these formations are damaged, but the visit to the doctor occurs after a long time. In this case, the initial condition of the knee can significantly worsen. During surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint, the postoperative period in this case will be very difficult.

Types of operations

Surgery can be done using a variety of methods. Depending on the method of the operation, postoperative rehabilitation occurs in different ways.

The most gentle way is conservative treatment. It is used in cases where there is hope to cure the existing damage.

The following operations can be carried out:

1. The gap can be sutured. Over time, this can lead to healing of the tear. Recovery after meniscus surgery is easier in this case. This is possible only under the condition that there is a good blood supply. If this is not the case, then this treatment option will lead to failure.
2. In the presence of severe damage in which there is no hope for recovery, a complete removal is performed. In this case, a prosthesis is put in its place.

Surgery can be done through an incision in the knee. Replacement in this way severely injures the patient, and rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus of the knee requires the greatest effort.

A more gentle way is to use the arthroscopic method of surgical intervention. During the operation, two small incisions are made. Through one of them, an arthroscope is inserted - a special device for observing tissues during surgery. Through another, surgical instruments perform the necessary actions.

Consequences

With any method of surgical intervention, rehabilitation after removal of the meniscus can be divided into the following stages:

1. Postoperative care in the hospital.
2. After discharge, a sparing period is needed in order for better rehabilitation to occur after meniscus surgery.
3. Further, it is necessary to continue the rehabilitation of the knee, but in a later period, other means are used for this than before.
   If rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus was not complete, then in the future it is necessary to do exercises for the diseased knee.

At all stages of the patient's actions, it is necessary to coordinate with the attending physician.

Goals of rehabilitation

At first, during rehabilitation after removal of the meniscus of the knee joint, the knee needs rest. And only after the patient recovers a little, you can move on to more active methods of rehabilitation.

The recovery procedure can be divided into two stages:

• early rehabilitation;
• late stage.

In the first case, exercise therapy after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint is aimed at achieving the following goals:

1. Anti-inflammatory treatment.
2. Restoration and normalization of blood circulation in the operated knee.
3. It is necessary to strengthen the thigh muscles in a gentle mode. This is necessary in order to improve the degree of fixation of the knee.
4. Taking preventive measures to reduce possible limitation of movement (contractures).

At a later stage, there is a situation when healing has already begun and it is necessary to support it.

In this case, the following tasks must be solved:

1. Exercises are needed after knee meniscus surgery to deal with contracture, if any.
2. Full restoration of the functionality of the operated composition.
3. Normalization of gait.
4. Well-developed leg muscles can help stabilize the knee. Therefore, their development is an important part of recovery after meniscus surgery.

At this time, not only special gymnastics will be useful, but also some general developmental activities. For example, you can go swimming, walking or cycling.

Rehabilitation

In the first time after resection of the meniscus of the knee joint for recovery after surgery, exercises should be done very carefully so as not to interfere with healing. You can use the following gymnastics:

1. To perform the exercise, you need to sit down, placing a roller under the heel. It is necessary, without physical stress, to slightly unbend the leg, then put it in place.
2. The next movement is done while standing. In this case, the weight must be transferred to a healthy leg. The operated leg is flexed and extended at the knee.
3. In the supine position, you need to alternately strain and relax the thigh muscles. They do not make any movements.

At the initial stage of recovery, any exercises are carried out only with the permission of the attending physician.
If there is a discharge of blood or inflammatory fluid in the operated joint, then performing therapeutic exercises during rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint is not allowed. At a later stage of rehabilitation, therapeutic exercises may consist of the following exercises:

1. You can practice with a ball. You need to stand with your back to the wall and place the ball at the waist. Slightly leaning back, doing squats. Movements are not allowed to be done completely, it is enough to do a squat to the bottom until the angle in the knee joint reaches 90 degrees.
2. An effective exercise in rehabilitation after removal of the meniscus is walking backwards. The speed should be no more than one and a half kilometers per hour. It is advisable to do the exercise, holding on to the handrail.
3. An exercise is performed on a step (a special platform for aerobics) or on a step. The height of the obstacle should not exceed 10 centimeters. In this case, you need to stand on a step and go down from it. It is important not to overexert the knee. Movements are done slowly and slightly relaxed.
4. You can use a rubber band. With its help, they tie up a healthy leg, making swings to the side. In this case, they rely on the operated leg. The exercise helps to develop the muscles of both legs.
5. Another exercise for the knee after meniscus surgery is jumping on one leg over the line. In the future, they can be complicated by jumping over a low bench.
6. In order to confidently perform movements, it is necessary to train a sense of balance. This can be done by practicing on an oscillating platform.
7. A good opportunity to train the knee is exercise on a stationary bike. In order for the training to be more effective, it is necessary that when the pedals are rotated at the lowest point, the knees are fully extended.
8. You can jump sideways or forward or backward. The exercise is performed on a flat surface or by jumping onto the step or jumping off it.
9. At the end of the rehabilitation process, you can use running, in which side steps are taken. Water walking can also be used.

Physiotherapy can be used for recovery. As a result of its impact, blood circulation and metabolism in the place that was operated on will improve.

If the restriction of leg mobility has not passed or swelling is observed, massage will be an effective method of treatment.

When there is a torn meniscus of the knee joint, rehabilitation after surgery may not end for several weeks. In severe cases, the procedure will have to continue for some time.

Conclusion

By performing rehabilitation of the operated knee, in most cases it is possible to achieve a complete restoration of its functions.