Meniscal RepairRehab Protocol

Phase 1 (0-2 weeks)

Goals
- protect repair
- reduce swelling
- restore patella mobility
- restore knee extension/quad control
- minimize muscle inhibition
Weight Bearing
- in brace kept in full extension
- may very based on repair complexity and MD will specify
Brace
- in full extension all times may remove for PT exercises and showering
Range of Motion
- 0-90 degrees when non weight bearing
Exercises
- heel slides
- patella mobilization
- quad sets
- no weight bearing exercise beyond 90 degrees

Phase 2 (2-6 weeks)

Goals
- protect repair
- reduce swelling/pain
- restore/maintain full extension
- no flexion past 90 degrees
Weight Bearing
- full in brace limit to 90 degrees
Brace
- 0-90 degrees
- may remove at night
Range of Motion
- progress to full
Exercises
- heel raises
- closed chain only
- quad sets
- SLR
- hip abduction (side lying or standing)
- no weight bearing exercises beyond 90 degrees

Phase 3 (6-9 weeks)

Phase 4 (9-12 weeks)

Goals
- protect repair
- maintain full ROM
- progress strengthening
- promote proper movement
- avoid post exercise swelling
Exercises
- progress phase 3
- may start elliptical, stair climber
- step ups
- lunges

Phase 5 (12-20 weeks)

Goals
- progress strenthening
- may start sport specific training
- promote proper movement
- avoid post exercise swelling
Exercises
- progress phase 4
- may start interval running
- may start plyometrics
Progression criteria
- appropriate follow up by MD
- quad/hamstrings/glutes index ~90%
- hamstring/quad ratio ~70%
- hop test ~70% contralateral side