The affected limb will not be weighted within four weeks after meniscus suture surgery and no flexion exercises (passive knee flexion is not done either) will be performed within one week after surgery, and no active flexion exercises will be performed within four weeks.
I. Protection period (1 day to 4 weeks after surgery)
The day after surgery and the day after surgery
Immediately after surgery, the affected limb is bandaged with pressure, elevated and immobilized with a straight splint.
After anesthesia subsides, begin to try.
1. ankle pump – forceful, slow, full range of flexion and extension of the ankle joint, as much as possible. After getting off the ground, ankle pump exercises under anti-gravity can be performed.
2.Quadriceps (anterolateral thigh muscle group) isometric contraction exercises – i.e. thigh muscle tensing and relaxation. Do as many as possible without increasing pain. (Greater than 500 times / day)
3, N rope muscle (posterior thigh muscle group) isometric contraction exercise – the affected leg force down the padded pillow, so that the posterior thigh muscle tense and relax. Requirements as above, greater than 500 times / day.
(ii) Two days after surgery.
1.Start to try straight leg lift – extend the knee and lift the leg straight up to the heel at 375px from the bed, hold until exhaustion. 10 times/group, 2-3 groups/day.
2. Start leg raising exercises in all directions, 30 reps/set, 2-4 sets/day, with 30 seconds rest between sets.
(iii) 1 week after surgery.
1.Continue and strengthen the above strength exercises.
2. Passive knee flexion to 90 degrees.
(iv) 2-4 weeks postoperatively.
1.Continue and strengthen the above strength exercises.
2. Start multi-angle isometric resistance knee extension exercises to strengthen the leg. 30 reps/set with 30 seconds rest between sets, 4 sets in a row, 2-3 times/day.
3. Increase passive knee flexion angle by about 10 degrees per week.
(v) 4 weeks after surgery.
1.Intensive strength exercises.
2.Passive knee flexion to 120 degrees.
3.Active knee flexion to 90 degrees.
4.Start to practice rotation of the lower leg, range until just natural stop.
5. Begin partial weight-bearing, with a load of approximately one-third to one-half of body weight.
Second, resume the weight-bearing period (5-7 weeks after surgery)
Do not walk too much during this period, otherwise it will easily cause joint swelling and fluid accumulation, which will affect functional recovery and tissue healing.
1. Gradually increase the weight-bearing of the affected limb, and gradually put on full weight 6 weeks after surgery.
Weight-bearing and balance exercises – separate both feet under protection, move the center of gravity alternately from side to side within the range of slight pain, gradually transition to full weight-bearing standing on one leg, 5 minutes/time, 2-3 times/day.
Separate both feet anteriorly and posteriorly, move the center of gravity, and gradually transition to full weight-bearing standing on one leg.
2. 5-7 weeks after surgery, continue to perform passive knee flexion exercises with the help of the surgeon, but maintain the passive angle at 120 degrees.
3, Flexion and extension knee 0-30 degree strength exercises, 30 reps/set, 2-4 sets/day, 30 seconds rest between sets.
4.Flexion and extension knee 30 degree half squat, 2 minutes/repetition, rest 5 seconds, 10 consecutive times for 1 group, 2-3 times/day. (For those with patellofemoral joint symptoms, perform straight leg lift and 20 degree – 0 degree open chain knee extension training.)
Third, the recovery period (8-12 weeks after surgery)
1.The affected limb can be fully weight-bearing 8 weeks after surgery.
2.Passive knee flexion of more than 120 degrees and active knee movement exercises at 8 weeks after surgery.
3.In order to strengthen the posterior thigh muscle group, start “hook leg” static exercises, bend to a painless angle and hold for 10-15 seconds, 10 times/group, 4 groups/day.
4.Start the front-back and side-to-side straddle exercise, 20 times/group, 4 groups/day.
5.Fixed bicycle exercises, no load to light load. 10-20 min/set, 2 sets/day.
6.Athletes can start the training of basic technical movements of special sports three months after surgery. But must be gradual!
Knee pads can be worn for protection if necessary, but only advocated for use during strenuous exercise.
IV. Recovery period (after 3 months)
1. Gradually resume strenuous activities or special training.
2.Strengthen the muscle strength and the stability of the joint during running and jumping.
3.Through the test, the muscle strength of the affected side reaches 85% or more of the healthy side, and there is no pain and no obvious swelling in the movement, then the movement can be fully resumed.