Meniscectomy — Arthroscopic Meniscectomy / Loose Body Removal / Debridement

UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Sports Medicine · Thomas Kremen MD

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with 2 crutches; D/C crutches when no SLR extension lag, full active extension, 90-100° flexion, and non-antalgic gait

Key Restrictions

D/C crutches criteria: no extension lag with SLR, full active knee extension, 90-100° flexion, non-antalgic gait (may use 1 crutch/cane to normalize); aquatic therapy at 2 wks once incisions healed; leg press 1-45° Phase III; no concentrated CKC until Phase III criteria met

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (immediate): WBAT with 2 crutches, quad sets/SLR/heel slides, ankle pumps, FES for trace-poor quad, hamstring/calf stretching, aquatic therapy at 2 wks, stationary bike when sufficient flexion | Phase II (criteria-based): D/C crutches when criteria met, wall slides 0-45° progressing to mini-squats, 4-way hip, CKC TKE, calf raises, balance/proprioception, treadmill gait training, ITB/hip flexor stretching | Phase III (criteria-based): normal gait/full flex/good quad, HS curl, leg press 1-45°, CKC progression, Nordic Trac, pool jogging with wet vest | Phase IV (criteria-based): return to work/sport, slide board, walk/jog progression, vertical jump, cutting/figure 8/carioca, sport-specific drills

Notes

Covers partial meniscectomy, loose body removal, and general knee debridement; FES for trace-poor quad contraction Phase I; aquatic therapy begins at 2 wks once incisions healed; pool jogging with wet vest in Phase III; criteria-based progression throughout; Kremen MD UCLA PatientPop practice site

Surgeon / Author

Thomas Kremen MD