Meniscus Surgery for Teens: What to Expect at Home

Meniscus surgery removes or fixes the cartilage (meniscus) between the bones in the knee. Each knee has two of these rubbery pads of cartilage, one on either side. Meniscus repair is usually done with arthroscopic surgery. Your doctor put a lighted tube—called an arthroscope or scope—and other surgical tools through small cuts (incisions) in your knee. The incisions leave scars that usually fade in time.

You will feel tired for several days. Your knee will be swollen. And you may have numbness around the cuts the doctor made (incisions) on your knee. You can put ice on the knee to reduce swelling. Most of this will go away in a few days. You should soon start seeing improvement in your knee.

You may be able to return to most of your regular activities within a few weeks. But it will be several months before you have complete use of your knee. It may take as long as 6 months before your knee is strong enough for hard physical work or certain sports. You will need to build your strength and the motion of your joint with rehabilitation (rehab) exercises. In time, your knee will likely be stronger and more stable than it was before the surgery.

How soon you can return to sports or exercise depends on how well you follow your rehab program and how well your knee heals. Your doctor or physical therapist will give you an idea of when you can return to these activities. If you had a partial meniscectomy, you might be able to play sports in about 4 to 6 weeks. If you had meniscus repair, it may be 3 to 6 months before you can play sports.

• Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover. Sleep with your knee raised, but not bent. Put a pillow under your foot.
• Keep your leg raised as much as possible for the first few days.
• You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. When you shower, keep your bandage and incisions dry by taping a sheet of plastic to cover them. If you have a brace, take it off if your doctor says it is okay. It might help to sit on a shower stool.
• You will be able to stand if you have a brace or use crutches. Do not put weight on your leg until your doctor says you can. You can move around the house to do daily tasks.
• If you have a brace, leave it on except when you exercise your knee or you shower. Be careful not to put the brace on too tight. You will use it for about 2 to 6 weeks.
• If your doctor does not want you to shower or remove your brace, you can take a sponge bath.
• Wait 2 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay before you take a bath, swim, use a hot tub, or soak your leg.
• If you drive, ask your doctor when you can drive again.
• How soon you can return to school depends on the type of surgery you had. You may be able to go back in 1 to 2 weeks.
• If you work, how soon you can return depends on your job. If you sit at work, you may be able to go back in 1 to 2 weeks. But if you are on your feet at work, it may take 4 to 6 weeks. If you are very physically active in your job, it may take 3 to 6 months.

• You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
• If your bowel movements are not regular right after surgery, try to avoid constipation and straining. Drink plenty of water. Your doctor may suggest fiber, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also get instructions about taking any new medicines.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • Store your prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
• If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
  • Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
  • Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.

• If you have a bandage over your incisions, keep the bandage clean and dry. Follow your doctor's instructions. Some doctors want to see you before you take it off, while others may let you take it off 48 to 72 hours after your surgery.
• If you have strips of tape on the incisions, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.
• Keep the area clean and dry.

• Knee rehabilitation is a series of exercises you do after your surgery. This helps you get back your knee's range of motion and strength. You will work with your doctor and physical therapist to plan this exercise program. To get the best results, you need to do the exercises correctly and as often and as long as your doctor tells you.

• Put ice or a cold pack on your knee for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake). Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin. If your doctor recommends using a cold therapy machine, follow the instructions that came with the machine.
• Prop up the sore leg on a pillow when you ice your knee or any time you sit or lie down during the next 3 days. Try to keep your leg above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
• If your doctor gave you support stockings, continue to wear them 24 hours a day for 3 weeks (or as long as your doctor says).