Meniscus Repair — Isolated Meniscus Repair (Arthroscopic)

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

PWB with brace locked and crutches Phase I; progress weight bearing per MD; consult referring MD about unlocking brace

Key Restrictions

Avoid active knee flexion (hamstring strain risk on posteromedial joint); no towel under knee; no pivoting on surgical side; more conservative approach for complex tears or all-inside repairs; does NOT apply to root repairs or transplants

Timeline & Phases

6 phases: Phase I (0-3 wks, brace locked PWB, full extension, flexion <90 deg), Phase II (3-6 wks, flexion to 120 deg, stationary bike for gentle ROM), Phase III (6-9 wks, normal gait, full ROM, joint position sense), Phase IV (9-12 wks, single-leg squat to 60 deg, KOOS-sports >70%, quad index >=80%), Phase V (3-5 months, interval running, early return to sport), Phase VI (6+ months, unrestricted return to sport, quad/HS/glut index and hop tests >=90%); includes return-to-run and agility/plyo programs

Notes

Criterion-based; NMES 2500 Hz 75 bursts; clinicians should collaborate with surgeon re: intra-op findings and repair strength; revised 4/2021; includes references.

Surgeon / Author

MGH Sports Medicine