How Soon after Meniscus Surgery can I Walk?
Can you walk right away after Meniscus Surgery?
How soon you can walk after meniscus surgery depends on whether the surgery was open or arthroscopic, whether it was a partial or total removal of the meniscus, or whether the meniscus was repaired. In any case, patients are usually advised to stay off their feet and the use of crutches may be advised for at least several days. A knee brace may also be recommended. It may take several weeks before patients can walk without a knee brace and months before they have healed enough to return to sports.
Recovery from arthroscopic meniscus repair usually requires a period of limited weight-bearing (using crutches or walker), limited motion, and sometimes use of a knee brace. It usually takes about 4 to 8 weeks for patients to increase weight bearing and range of motion. Most patients can walk without a knee brace and crutches in about 2 to 3 months.
Recovery time from a partial meniscectomy (partial removal of the meniscus) is quicker than recovery from a meniscus repair. Patients are usually advised to used crutches for a few days and to take it easy for 10 to 14 days, but most can increase activity levels at their own pace after that if they do not experience any pain. For those who have strenuous occupations, the recovery time may be up to 6 to 8 weeks before they can fully resume physically demanding activities.
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With a meniscectomy, you’ll be back in action more quickly. Here’s what you may expect:
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After your arthroscopy, you'll be taken to a room to recover from the effects of the general anaesthetic, if it was used during the procedure. You may experience some pain in the affected joint. If you do, tell a member of the hospital staff, who will be able to give you painkillers. 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.
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Make sure you elevate the joint and apply ice packs to help reduce the swelling when you get home, if advised to do so. You should also do any joint exercises that have been recommended for you.
Keep dressings as dry as possible by covering them with a plastic bag when having a bath or shower. If your dressings get wet or fall off, they'll need to be replaced. Dressings can usually be removed after 5 to 10 days.
Your wounds should start to heal within a few days. If non-dissolvable stitches were used, they'll need to be removed after a week or two.
You'll probably need at least a week or two off work, although this varies from person to person. It will largely depend on whether your job involves strenuous activity that could damage the joint.
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Source:
. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/can_you_walk_immediately_after_meniscus_surgery/article_em.htm