With certain injuries to the knee, the menisci can be damaged or sometimes torn. In minor tears, there may be no problem with the function of your knee. Sometimes the injury is more severe and may need surgery to correct the problem. Previously, the surgery involved removing the injured part of the the meniscus. With some severe tears, that may still be the case. However, recent innovations in the orthopedic surgery field have led to the ability to repair the meniscus without removing it. Check with your surgeon to find out which approach applies best to you.

If you have had a repair (not a removal), you will probably be told not to bear weight on your knee for many weeks. This is to allow the meniscus to heal. If you have not had the suture repair, you may be able to bear weight earlier.

Rehabilitation will begin with range-of-motion exercises and modalities to control the discomfort and swelling. After your surgeon has released you to begin weight bearing, your rehabilitation will continue with exercises that will begin with partial weight bearing and then gradually increase from that point. The meniscus is made of a thick fibrous substance and in most areas does not have a large blood flow. Much of the nutrition provided to the meniscus is by gentle compression and decompression. For this reason, the exercises are usually repetitive and performed for a long period of time (5-30 minutes) to enhance healing and nutrient availability.

Each case may be different depending on the surgeon, your injury, and the particular details of your injury.