Meniscus Repair — Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair — Pediatric

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Brigham Pediatric Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

PWB with brace locked and crutches wks 0-6; DC brace/crutches at 6 wks per MD

Key Restrictions

Brace locked, PWB wks 0-6; avoid active knee flexion wks 0-3 (hamstring strain risk on posteromedial joint); knee flexion limited to <90 deg wks 0-6; does NOT apply to meniscus root repairs or transplants; more conservative approach for complex tears or all-inside repairs; Pedi-IKDC preferred; Phase V criteria: quad/HS/glut >=90%, H:Q >=70%, hop >=90%

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-3 wks): PWB brace locked, patellar mobs, extension stretches, NMES 2500 Hz, quad sets, SLR (no SLR with extension lag), hip abduction; Phase II (3-6 wks): PWB brace locked, flexion to 90 deg, UBE, lumbopelvic strengthening, balance; Phase III (6-9 wks): DC brace/crutches, stationary bike/pool, squats 0-60 deg, hamstring curls, gym equipment; Phase IV (9-12 wks): elliptical, stair climber, single leg progression, RDL; Phase V (3-5 mo): return-to-run program, agility/plyometrics; Phase VI (6+ mo): full sport

Notes

Revised 4/2024; 6-phase criterion-based protocol; Phase VI discharge: quad/HS/glut >=90%, hop >=90%; avoid active knee flexion wks 0-3 is key restriction; NMES 2500 Hz 75 bursts; machine sizing guidance for adolescents; Pedi-IKDC recommended. [Archived copy — original Massachusetts General Hospital URL retired in the Mass General Brigham site migration; Wayback snapshot 2025-02-10.]

Surgeon / Author

MGH Brigham Pediatric Sports Medicine

Published

2024-04