Q: WILL I NEED TO USE CRUTCHES AFTER SURGERY? Usually, yes. Crutches are typically used for protection for a short time after surgery. Most patients are off crutches at or around the time of the first follow-up visit after surgery (2 weeks), but some may still require them at that time.
Arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus (meniscectomy)
It may take 4-5 months for full healing. The patient should be able to bear weight on the knee while standing or walking, immediately after surgery. Crutches will be necessary for 2-7 days after surgery.
With a proper rehabilitation program, you can usually expect to resume sports within four to six weeks after the surgery. Following a repair, you will typically use crutches for at least three weeks to allow the repaired tissue to become attached and to avoid retearing the meniscus.
Most people can walk with crutches soon after meniscus surgery. Many return to normal activities within six to eight weeks. Your healthcare provider may recommend low-impact activities rather than high-impact (such as walking rather than running). If you have a physical job, you may need extra time off work to recover.
You may need to be on crutches for a while depending on your procedure. If you have a more complicated knee arthroscopy procedure, you may not be able to walk for several weeks. You may also need to use crutches or a knee brace. Full recovery may take several months to a year.
In general, most patients go home with two crutches and gradually move on to one crutch before discarding it. This may take anywhere from 1-3 weeks. Total knee replacement recovery can be a long-term process, but by following proper protocols you will give yourself no reason not to make a full recovery.
Meniscus (cartilage) Repair patients cannot do twisting, pivoting, squatting, deep knee bends or impact activities for four months. It is vital that meniscus repair patients do not squat for at least four months after the repair.
Arthroscopic meniscus repair is moderately painful. Because more soft tissue surgery is performed, it is more painful than a standard arthroscopy, but less painful than a ligament reconstruction or another procedure that requires drilling holes through the bone.
Most people are able to start driving 1-2 weeks after surgery, but use your judgment as to when you feel ready and safe to drive. Crutches are required following surgery. You should not put weight on the surgical leg until otherwise instructed by physical therapy or your physician.
You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. When you shower, keep your bandage and incisions dry by taping a sheet of plastic to cover them. If you have a brace, take it off if your doctor says it is okay. It might help to sit on a shower stool.
If a meniscus tear is considered appropriate for an attempt at repair, a number of techniques can be used. The surgery is primarily arthroscopic (minimally invasive) although additional small incisions, or cuts, may be necessary to perform the repair. A variety of devices or sutures can be used to perform a repair.
Early Weightbearing After Meniscus Repair
So, if immobilized in extension, why do we limit weightbearing? During weightbearing, compressive forces are loaded across the menisci. These tensile forces create 'hoop stresses', which expand the menisci in extension.
You can walk with your full weight on both legs (unless your surgeon has given you specific instructions). You can walk up and down stairs.
Answer: Immediately after surgery you will learn to climb stairs safely using crutches. As recovery continues and you work on flexion and extension of the new knee, you will be able to climb without crutches. With the help of physical therapy and building up the quadriceps muscles, stair climbing will be a breeze.
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E) are recommended for patients recovering from any kind of surgery, include meniscal repair. Keep these guidelines in mind to make sure you're getting the most out of this approach: Avoid whatever activity caused your injury and rest as often as possible.
Take the pain medication as prescribed. you take the medication and taper off as you feel comfortable, but keep in mind that many people have an increase in pain around day 3 or 4 after surgery.
What are the benefits? Surgery to repair tears in the meniscus relieves symptoms 85% of the time. That means that of 100 people who have this surgery, 85 have relief from pain and can use their knee normally, while 15 do not. Surgery to repair tears may reduce the risk of long-term joint problems.
It has also been shown that a knee that has undergone meniscus surgery has weaker thigh muscles and poorer quality of cartilage 4 years after the surgery [3]. This is also thought to increase the risk of arthritis.
Can you be awake during meniscus surgery? Dr Don Wallace explains that while it is possible to have meniscus surgery under local anaesthetic, it is more common to be put under a general anaesthetic.
Knee scooters (also called knee walkers, roll abouts, or non-weight bearing scooters) are an excellent alternative to crutches after foot surgery. A knee scooter is a modern solution to keeping your injured leg non-weight bearing.
Although exercise is the key to healing, you could be backpedaling progress by overworking your knee. Signs of over-exercising include swelling of the entire leg and lingering pain that stretches into the evening or into the next day.