Knee — Meniscal Allograft Transplantation

Saint Louis University (SLUCare)

Weight-Bearing

Partial WB with crutches and brace locked in extension; full WB by 6-8 wks; wean crutches by wk 8

Key Restrictions

Brace locked in extension all times first week (except exercises/shower); flexion strictly limited to 90 deg for 1 month; brace locked during all ambulation month 1; sleep with brace if no full extension; no frog-kick or breaststroke; high-impact activities discouraged; full return pending surgeon approval

Timeline & Phases

0-1 mo: brace locked for ambulation, flexion limit 90 deg, partial WB, quad sets, SLR; 1-2 mo: brace unlocked, wean crutches by wk 8, progress to full WB, full flexion progressed; 2-3 mo: quad exercises, step-ups, stationary bike, treadmill; 3-5 mo: closed-chain exercises, leg press, endurance training; 5-8 mo: slow jogging progressing to running; 8-12 mo: advanced strengthening, plyometrics, fast running, cutting; return to sport: quad/hamstring >90%, no effusion, functional testing at 6 and 9 months

Notes

SLU Sports Medicine; medial or lateral meniscal transplantation; high-impact activities discouraged; surgeon approval required for full return