Meniscus Repair — Isolated Meniscal Repair

Mountain Orthopaedics · Mountain Ortho Clinical Team

Weight-Bearing

PWB 40-60 lbs with crutches wks 0-4; WBAT unprotected when no limp and good quad control (wks 4-6+)

Key Restrictions

Knee immobilizer full time wks 0-2; no resistance exercises wks 4-6; no kneeling or squatting until after wk 8; does NOT apply to ACL + meniscal repair combined (follow ACL protocol); return to sport with MD ok after minimum 4 months

Timeline & Phases

Wks 0-4 (PWB 40-60 lbs, immobilizer wks 0-2 then D/C, AROM as tolerated, quad sets/SLR/ankle pumps, well leg bike); Wks 4-6 (WBAT when no limp/quad control, AROM stretches, goal full ROM by wk 6, stationary bike no resistance); Wks 6-8 (initiate CKC strengthening, no kneeling/squatting); Wks 8-12 (initiate open chain strengthening); Wks 12-16 (protected agility and sports-specific); return to sport after 4 months with MD ok

Notes

Explicitly for isolated meniscal repair only; ACL + meniscal repair patients follow ACL protocol; RTS minimum 4 months with MD clearance; no specific functional RTS criteria listed

Surgeon / Author

Mountain Ortho Clinical Team