The affected limb will not be weighted within four weeks after meniscal suture surgery and no flexion exercises will be performed within one week after surgery (passive knee flexion will also not be performed), no active flexion exercises will be performed within four weeks, and only passive exercises will be performed 1-2 times a week with the help or guidance of the doctor.
I. Protection period (1 day to 4 weeks after surgery)
The day after surgery and the day after surgery
Immediately after surgery, apply pressure bandage, elevate the affected limb, and immobilize it with a straight splint.
After anesthesia subsides, begin to try.
1 ankle pump – forceful, slow, full range of flexion and extension of the ankle, as much as possible. Once on the floor, ankle pump exercises can be performed under anti-gravity.
2 Quadriceps (anterolateral thigh muscle group) isometric contraction exercises – i.e. thigh muscle tensing and relaxation. Do as many as possible without increasing pain. (>500 reps/day)
3N 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 relaxation. Requirements as above, greater than 500 times/day.
(ii) Two days after surgery.
1 Start to try straight leg lift – straight leg lift after knee extension until heel is 15cm 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 postoperatively.
1Continue and strengthen the above strength exercises.
2 Passive knee flexion to 90 degrees.
(iv) 2-4 weeks postoperatively.
1Continue and intensify 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 postoperatively.
1 Intensive strength exercises.
2Passive knee flexion to 120 degrees.
3 Active knee flexion to 90 degrees.
4 Start exercises to rotate the lower leg with range until just natural stop.
5 Start 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 is very easy to 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 6 weeks after surgery can gradually be fully weight-bearing.
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 the 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 passive knee flexion exercises with the help of the physician, but maintain the passive angle at 120 degrees.
3 Flexion-extension knee 0-30 degree strength exercises, 30 reps/set, 2-4 sets/day, with 30 seconds rest between sets.
4 Flexion and extension knee 30 degree half squat, 2 minutes/repetition, rest 5 seconds, 10 consecutive sets, 2-3 times/day. (For those with patellofemoral joint symptoms, perform straight leg raise and 20 degrees-0 degrees 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 are only recommended for use during strenuous exercise.
IV. Recovery period (after 3 months)
1. Gradually resume strenuous activities or special training.
2. Strengthen muscle strength and joint stability during running and jumping.
3. If the muscle strength of the affected side reaches 85% or more of that of the healthy side, and there is no pain and no obvious swelling during the exercise, then the exercise can be fully resumed.