Houston, TX
A 42-year-old male asked:
My doctor has diagnosed me with a torn medial meniscus in my right knee. he says the surgery is fairly quick, but how long should the recovery take?
5 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. James Bicosanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 23 years experience
About 6 weeks: Not all meniscal surgeries are the same. So don't compare yourself with friends or online chat sites. It depends on other factors like how much arthritis they find.
Typically it is a couple days on crutches, then regain motion , then strength, which in a routine meniscal case takes about 6 weeks.
Make sure to get the swelling down and get your quad function back soon.
Good luck.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Pushkarewicz commented
Orthopedic Surgery 39 years experience
The crutches are usually optional. Can also use a cane or just accept that you will probably limp for a few days if not using either.
Feb 27, 2013
Dr. Bradley Butkovichanswered
Orthopedic Surgery 28 years experience
It Depends: On how active you are and how much was done during surgery. For a routine knee scope i typically allow my patients back to work in 3-4 days if they have a sedentary job. Otherwise, most people can start getting back to work at 2-3 weeks depending on their job. Strengthening of the quadriceps muscle is key as this shuts down with knee surgery of any kind. Most people are near full by 4 weeks.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Ralph Morgan Lewisanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Depends on…: Condition of leg muscles that support the knee & how extensive the meniscus tear is. Pro athletes recover in about 2 weeks due to strong quadriceps & hamstring muscles & intensive physical therapy. The rest of us may take 4-6 weeks or more depending on above conditions. Orthopedic surgeon can give u better estimate based on your case.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Robert Meislinanswered
sports medicine 37 years experience
Knee recovery: "fairly quick" may depend on one's interpretation. Barring no post op complications, one can return to sport following a partial meniscectomy in about 6 weeks. Following a meniscal repair, the earliest would be 3-4 months. This all tempered by the type of sport, the type and location of the tear, associated arthritis, and age of patient.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Zubin Khubchandanianswered
Orthopedic Surgery 26 years experience
1-2 mos: Most meniscal surgeries are a meniscectomy rather than a repair. Meniscectomy recovery is about 1-2 months depending upon other factors. Meniscal healing after a repair is not a guarantee. It takes 6-12 months for full healing.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 23, 2020
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