Meniscectomy recovery FAQ
All surgeries are frightening experiences, and one of the most common for athletes is a meniscus surgery. I had both menisci repaired, and then later had one trimmed in a meniscectomy. Since then, I had ANOTHER meniscectomy (on the same meniscus) in 2022.
In this post, I will share answers to some of the most common questions I get about meniscectomy. Learn more about my experience with meniscus surgery recovery in this meniscectomy recovery FAQ.
My Meniscus Injury/ Surgery
What was your injury?
I had a retorn medial meniscus. The meniscus was repaired during my ACL reconstruction in 2018, but the repair failed and my medial meniscus retore in May 2019.
The same meniscus tore again in 2022. I had a second meniscectomy September 2022.
How did you know that your meniscus repair failed?
I questioned the stability of my meniscus repair due to some shifting movement and pain I felt soon after beginning to play again. I detail how I found out my meniscus retore in this video and this post.
What was your surgery?
I had a partial medial meniscectomy. This means the damaged meniscus tissue was removed and part of my meniscus was trimmed.
What are the different types of meniscus surgery?
Not every meniscus surgery is the same. Your meniscus can be repaired or it can be removed. When the meniscus is fixed with sutures, it is a meniscus repair. When part of the meniscus is trimmed, it is a meniscectomy. Typically, the surgeon can remove only the damage and clean up the edges so you keep some of your meniscus.
Why was your meniscus trimmed instead of repaired?
I had previously had my meniscus repaired when it tore along with my ACL in 2018. When that repair did not heal correctly, it tore again. They will usually not try to repair the same meniscus injury again if it fails. Instead they remove the damage and preserve as much of the meniscus as possible.
Why did your meniscus repair fail?
Unfortunately, there is no clear answer. A sizable portion of meniscus repairs fails because the area has such little blood flow overall. Failure is more likely with the medial meniscus and when the repair was performed concurrently with ACL reconstruction. I followed every guideline in my recovery. At times, I question the fact that I was allowed to walk immediately after my first surgery when most surgeries involving meniscus repair have a 4-6 week non-weight bearing protocol. Did my meniscus repair fail in part because I was allowed to bear weight right away?
How much of your meniscus do you have left?
I do not know exactly how much of my meniscus was trimmed. I believe I have about 50% of my medial meniscus remaining.
How long did the meniscectomy surgery take?
My meniscectomy procedure was relatively short. It took about one hour.
Meniscectomy Recovery
How long was your knee swollen after meniscectomy surgery?
I battled with swelling for several weeks after my meniscectomy. Swelling drastically decreased after about a month but persisted for another month. The swelling was totally gone after 2 months according to my surgeon. I still experience occasional swelling.
Was your knee painful after surgery?
I experienced far less pain after my meniscectomy than after my ACL surgery/ meniscus repair. My knee was tender, but I did not have immense pain right after surgery or early in recovery.
When can I walk?
Since my meniscus was just trimmed, there were no stitches or sutures that needed to heal. I was able to walk immediately after surgery. It took several more weeks before I could comfortably walk for longer period of time.
When can I run?
I began jogging about 6 weeks after surgery and I followed a similar process as I did when I was returning from my first surgery. First, I started jogging very slowly for a few minute intervals and then slowly built up.
Did you wear a brace?
I never wore any brace throughout recovery. I wore a compression sleeve after working out, and sometimes would tape my knee with K-tape.
How long was your recovery?
I was cleared to begin the return-to-sport protocol after 8 weeks. I was fully playing by 12 weeks or 3 months post-op. You can watch my full meniscectomy recovery HERE.
My recovery for the second meniscectomy was a little quicker. I played soccer again after 6 weeks, but did not feel 100%/back to normal until between 9 and 10 weeks post-op.
Why was the second meniscectomy recovery faster?
I was in season with a professional team that time, so my recovery was more urgent. Furthermore, I was only 1 year out of ACL surgery when I had my first meniscectomy. It had an overall worse effect on my knee and quad since I was still not 100% after the ACL. The second time, I was not soon out of any other surgery.
Range of Motion
Did meniscectomy impact your range of motion?
My meniscus trim did not have as large of an impact on my ROM as my ACL surgery. I had full extension basically right away. My flexion was slightly stiffer and required some work, but it was only a little different and came back much quicker than after ACL surgery.
When did you get your full range of motion?
I still do not have full ROM. My ROM is the same as after my first surgery, but my knee is not he same as before both surgeries. I have full hyper-extension but not flexion, and I still feel tightness if I try to push the same flexion.
How can improve my ROM (flexion and extension)?
You must work on ROM very often and consistently to see a difference. I made two detailed videos showing the exercises I did to work on flexion and extension.
Return to Sport Meniscectomy Recovery
Can you play soccer again?
Yes, I am able to play soccer at a high level once again.
How long did it take you to play soccer again?
The first time, around 12 weeks post-op. The second time, 6 weeks post-op (but did not feel 100% until 9-10 weeks post-op).
Is your knee back to normal?
No. My knee is noticeably different than before surgery. However, keep in mind that I had a previous, more extensive surgery so I cannot say if the differences are from the meniscectomy. My knee gets sore when I increase activity too quickly. It commonly hurts in the front (patellar tendinitis) but with occasionally hurt along the medial joint line.
updated answer in 2023 after another meniscectomy: I now feel that I had lingering issue after that first meniscectomy. My knee is not 100% the same, and, again I did have ACL surgery before. But in general, I don’t experience much discomfort or pain. I can do all of the same activities.
Do you have lasting effects?
Yes. My knee cracks and crunches frequently. It gets sore and irritated from very intense exercise or adding a jump in exercise too quickly. I can sometimes feel a nagging pain on my medial joint line that will turn into shooting pains when I try to sleep after the workout.
Do you take any supplements for your knee?
Yes. Previously, I took glucosamine and chondroitin. I now take a collagen supplement. The one I use is the Vital Proteins Collagen Protein Powder(affiliate link).
Have more questions? Leave them down below and I would be happy to share my experience and add the Q&A to this post to help others!
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