Week by week

Meniscus surgery recovery, week by week

Meniscus surgery recovery depends on one answer: was it trimmed or repaired? Trim rehab usually runs about 3 to 6 weeks; repair rehab about 3 to 6 months. Here’s what’s typical at each stage.

1. Before surgery How long you’re out comes down to two things: whether the surgeon trims or repairs the meniscus, and what your job asks of your knee. Trim rehab usually runs weeks; repair rehab, months.
2. Weeks 0 to 2 After a trim, walking on the leg right away and dropping the crutches within days is common, with a normal walk the goal by about week 2. After a repair, many protocols keep weight limited and crutches on for about six weeks.
3. Weeks 3 to 6 A quad that won’t fully fire, a limp that returns on long walks, and swelling that’s still settling are common at this stage after a trim. After a repair, many protocols still have you on crutches for about six weeks.
4. Weeks 7 to 12 Swelling after a workday can still be normal now, especially with a heavy job; hospital leaflets expect it for up to about 3 months. Swelling that’s stuck or getting worse needs a look, and kneeling and deep squatting are usually the last things cleared.
5. Months 3 to 6 Good and bad days are normal now, and after a trim the leg is often still weaker than a healthy one. After a repair, this is the typical rehab window; a pop is worth logging and reporting, but re-tears are the exception.
6. 6 months or more Kneeling that still lags, and a thigh that’s somewhat weaker than the other side, can both be normal this far out. More of the re-tear risk falls in the first 2 years, so sticking with rehab still matters.