Week 1 Rehab After My Second Meniscectomy

On September 9th, 2022, I had my second meniscectomy, and third knee surgery overall.

In case you have not seen my other content, I had my first knee surgery (ACL reconstruction and menisci repair) in April 2018, and my second surgery (partial meniscectomy) in May 2019.

Here is an overview of my first week of recovery after another partial meniscectomy.

How I Felt During Week 1 of Meniscectomy Rehab

The first week of meniscectomy rehab was pretty difficult for me mentally and physically. Unlike my previous surgeries, I was not at home. I got my surgery in Turkey, where I was playing professional soccer.

That meant that I did not have family or friends around. I didn’t realize how much of an impact that made until I was in the situation. I felt very alone and very much wanted to go home.

Physically, I was in a ton of pain. The first couple of days were extremely painful and I needed help with getting to the bathroom.

Experiencing that level of pain again and seeing the state of my knee was frustrating and upsetting. I was dreading recovery and wishing I could do it at home with my family around for support.

How My Knee Felt

As I’ve alluded to, my knee was in a lot of pain. It was extremely swollen, and painful to walk for the first couple of days. For the first few days, just getting to the bathroom or standing in the shower was a huge hassle.

I was feeling like I was in more pain than in my previous meniscectomy, and I did not know why. It was more difficult to walk, especially the first few days. I was really struggling with discomfort and pain almost around-the-clock. From what I remembered and watched in my old update, this was more than the last time.

During this time, I was icing almost constantly. I also used a compression wrap to help and tried to sit with my leg elevated.

Major Events

My focus for the first week was to address swelling as much as possible and get my knee fully straight.

• Walking without support by the end of the week.
• Got my knee straight within a few days.
• While it was uncomfortable, I traveled with the team and watched the friendly match.

1 Week Post-Op Meniscectomy Exercises

Here are some of the exercises/movements I focused on that week:

• Glute bridges
• Leg raises
• Glute band exercises
• Kickbacks
• Walking mechanics
• Upper body workouts
• Extension exercises, like the ones shown in previous blogs

Meniscectomy Rehab Frequently Asked Questions- 1 Week Post Op

When did you start walking?

I began weight-bearing immediately after surgery. I had to stay the night, so for the first 24 hours, I used a walker to help support my weight. However, upon leaving the hospital they did not provide any crutches or walkers and I was told to walk. This was unbearably painful the first day or so, so my roommate helped support me when I needed to walk.

Did you have pain?

Yes, my knee hurt quite a bit. I felt like this was more painful than my previous trim. Why? I can’t say for sure, but perhaps the location of the tear (and therefore trim) was in a more painful spot.

Why did your meniscus tear again?

I was not given a definitive reason why my meniscus tore yet again, likely because I did not see the same doctor who did my previous surgeries. Unfortunately, high-impact, contact sports always put you at a risk of injury. Since I had a previous meniscus trim, I did not have 100% of my meniscus, which can put more pressure on the remaining meniscus. Still, I did not experience a single “moment” where I felt a tear, so I really can’t say why it happened. For some more insight, check out my meniscectomy FAQ.