Meniscectomy — Arthroscopic Knee — Meniscal Debridement / Chondroplasty / Meniscectomy

SOMOS (Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons) · Tri-Service Orthopedics & Physical Therapy Consultants

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with crutches as needed; D/C crutches when normal gait achieved; no brace typically required

Key Restrictions

No brace typically; WBAT from day 1; sport-specific training when quad ≥80% of uninvolved limb; jogging criteria-based (when no effusion); service fitness test 4-6 months; RTS/collision sports up to 6 months

Timeline & Phases

Phase 1 (wks 0-6): WBAT with crutches — knee AROM/PROM, patellar mobs after suture removal, ankle pumps, LE stretching, quad sets (e-stim until 10 SLRs without lag), OKC/CKC strengthening (hip/thigh/leg), gait training, core/UE; wks 2-4: DL→SL squats/leg press in tolerable range, progressive LE loading, balance/proprioception bilateral→unilateral, non-impact cardio; wks 5-6: aquatic therapy when incisions healed; Phase 2 (wks 7-12): agility drills and plyometrics DL→SL (progress gradually), jogging program when no effusion, progressive LE strengthening (increase intensity/decrease reps); after 3 months: continue Phase 2 exercises progressively; pass service fitness test 4-6 months; RTS/collision sports up to 6 months

Notes

Tri-Service guidelines (Army/Navy/Air Force); published May 2020; 2-phase protocol; sport-specific training when quad ≥80% uninvolved; jogging criteria-based (no effusion); service fitness test 4-6 months; RTS 6 months

Surgeon / Author

Tri-Service Orthopedics & Physical Therapy Consultants

Published

2020