Knee — Meniscal Repair

Saint Louis University (SLUCare) · SSM Health PT Orthopedic Residency

Weight-Bearing

WBAT with brace locked at 0 deg wks 1-4; WBAT wks 5+

Key Restrictions

No loaded knee flexion >45 deg until wk 5; no loaded knee flexion >90 deg until wk 8; no forced hyperextension if anterior horn repair; no forced flexion if posterior horn repair; avoid OKC 0-30 deg and CKC 90-120 deg if patellofemoral symptoms

Timeline & Phases

Wks 1-2: WBAT brace locked 0 deg, AROM flexion 0-90 deg, loaded flexion 0-45 deg, SLR, core/hip strengthening; Wks 3-4: AROM 0-120 deg, gait training, stair progression; Wks 5-7: full AROM, loaded flexion 0-90 deg, SL motor control; Wks 8-11: loaded flexion >90 deg, running progression; Wks 12+: hop tests >90%, sport-specific drills, return to sport

Notes

SLU/SSM Health PT Orthopedic Residency; evidence-based milestone-based protocol; updated 2022-07-27; uses Soreness Rules; 4-month duration 1-3 visits/week; distinct from meniscectomy/chondroplasty protocol

Surgeon / Author

SSM Health PT Orthopedic Residency

Published

2022