Meniscal Repair — Radial Meniscus Tear / Root Tear Repair

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

Weight-Bearing

NWB (toe touch only) x 6 wks; WBAT with 2 crutches wks 6-8; D/C crutches at 8 wks when criteria met (no SLR lag, full extension, 90° flex, non-antalgic gait); brace locked in extension for ambulation x 8 wks

Key Restrictions

NWB (toe touch) x 6 wks; brace locked in extension for all ambulation x 8 wks; brace unlocked for seated/sleeping/PT at 4-6 wks; D/C brace at 8 wks; driving at 6 wks; aquatic therapy at 6 wks (later than non-radial); leg press 0-60°; hamstring curls 0-60° Phase III; knee extensions 50-90° Phase II; swimming no breaststroke; elliptical at 8 wks; RTS ~4-6 months

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (0-8 wks): NWB (toe touch) x 6 wks then WBAT with 2 crutches wks 6-8, brace locked in extension 0-4 wks (unlocked seated/sleeping/PT at 4-6 wks; locked for ambulation 6-8 wks), heel slides 0-90°, quad sets/SLR/ankle pump/patellar mobs, aquatic therapy at 6 wks | Phase II (8 wks - 3 months): D/C brace at 8 wks, D/C crutches when criteria met, wall slides 0-45° → mini-squats, 4-way hip, stationary bike, leg press 0-60°, step-ups 2→8", knee extensions 50-90°, toe raises, balance, elliptical at 8 wks | Phase III (3-4 months): CKC progression, CKC TKE, hamstring curls 0-60°, swimming no breaststroke, pool jogging with wet vest, Stairmaster | Phase IV (4-6+ months): jog/run progression, cutting/carioca/figure 8, sport-specific drills, work hardening; RTS ~4-6 months

Notes

Specifically for radial tears and root tears; more conservative than non-radial repair (307010): NWB x 6 wks vs 4 wks, driving at 6 wks vs 4 wks, aquatic therapy at 6 wks vs 4 wks, brace locked for ambulation x 8 wks vs 4 wks; also referenced in Kremen ACL BTB+OCA protocol (306969) as a modifier requiring NWB x 6 wks when combined with ACL reconstruction; PT 2/wk Phase I, 1-2/wk Phase II; RTS ~4-6 months; Kremen MD UCLA PatientPop practice site

Surgeon / Author

Thomas Kremen MD