What precautions needs to be taken post surgery for meniscus?
Patient: Good evening I am a police officer back in 2011 I had surgery on my meniscus, prior to having another MRI four weeks ago on the same knee, I have been sent to physical therapy three times. After reading the latest MRI, I am now back in physical therapy for 7 weeks. My doctor has informed me not to walk up stairs if possible and no running as well. As a police officer that is impossible. I m taking aleve per my doctors instructions but still have inflammation in the knee after walking, what would you suggest. Doctor: hi,as you mentioned you had an meniscus injury and also undergone the surgery for the same. Well, i dont think you need any limitation of the activity as surgery was performed to get you close to normal functioning. Also, undergoing a proper rehabilitation of the knee - just like the soccer players. If they can play soccer post their ligament injury why not you have a normal functioning of your joint.Focus on not only the injured knee, but also the whole body conditioning. Strengthening the quadriceps and hamstring are the prior thing which will be followed. But extend your protocol to 12 weeks as by that time the knee is ready to fight back.Focus on strengthening the core, pelvic floor, upper limb, lower limb, spine muscles. Undergo the balance retraining using the balance board. Also, get the torque in the muscles of both the thigh bone. Make the body lighter so it can take the jumps and runs.Usually what i see patients they all can perform 99% of their physical activity like - jumping, running, climbing stairs, squatting and sprinting.Any further questions you can surely ask meRegardsJay Indravadan Patel