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HomeSummaryReview of the conditionConsidering surgeryPreparing for surgeryAbout the procedureRecovering from surgeryRehabilitationPhysical therapy Rehabilitation options Can rehabilitation be done at home?Usual response Risks Duration of rehabilitation Returning to ordinary daily activities Long-term patient limitations Costs Conclusion

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Arthroscopy in Children and Teenagers (Ages 8 to 18)

Edited By: Gregory A. Schmale, M.D.
Last updated Friday, July 22, 2005

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Rehabilitation

Physical therapy

Range of motion therapy, modalities (ice, ultrasound), quadriceps and hamstring strengthening, and proprioceptive or balance training may all be useful to a patient’s rehabilitation after surgery.

Rehabilitation options

Some surgeons recommend full, unrestricted weight bearing after meniscal repair but others believe such a program unnecessarily puts the meniscal repair at risk of failure, i.e. re-tearing of the stitched meniscus. Patients should discuss the rehabilitation options for their particular condition and treatment with their surgeon.

Return to sports before three weeks for patients who have undergone a trimming of the meniscus may result in breaking open of the small wounds or portal sites through which the arthroscopic surgery was performed.

Can rehabilitation be done at home?

Rehabilitation for arthroscopic treatment of meniscal tears can certainly be done at home, as long as some instruction has been given either preoperatively or early postoperatively regarding the desired rehabilitation program.

Usual response

For those who have undergone a meniscal repair, the return to activity may require a period of time for retraining beyond the six month point, before prior levels of competition may be achieved.

Most patients do well after trimming of a torn meniscus, with clearance for return to sports in approximately three weeks.

Risks

Early arthritis may occur despite apparently successful treatment of a meniscal tear. This condition may result in pain with activities and intermittent swelling of the knee.

Aggressive, early return to activities after a meniscal repair may lead to re-tearing of the meniscus.

Duration of rehabilitation

Therapy after arthroscopic treatment of meniscal tears usually continues until the prior activity level has been satisfactorily achieved.

Returning to ordinary daily activities

For those who have undergone meniscal repair, crutches are required for six weeks, limiting return to ordinary daily activities.

For patients who have had their tear trimmed and not repaired, return to normal activities of daily living may occur within one to two weeks.

Long-term patient limitations

There should be no long-term limitations from arthroscopic treatment of meniscal tear.

Costs

For those who have undergone a meniscal repair, a more regular and perhaps twice-weekly program of therapy visits may optimize strength and capacity for early return to activity. The costs of these programs would depend on a patient’s particular insurance benefits.

For those who have undergone a trimming of a meniscus, therapy would consist of a few intermittent appointments to confirm restoration of motion and strength of the knee.
eniscal tear.

Surgery for Meniscal tears in the knee of adolescents and children at the University of Washington

If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-987-3700 to make an appointment.

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