Meniscus tear repair Post Surgery

What is a Meniscal tear, and how can Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation help?

The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage in your knee that serves as a cushion between your thighbone and shinbone. It helps to reduce shock, stabilises the knee joint and allows for smooth movement. There are two menisci in each knee — a medial (inside) one and a lateral (outside) one.

The tear is an injury to such type of cartilage and principally occurs because of abrupt twisting, overuse, or external trauma. Not only do tears happen in sports, but they may also occur due to joint degeneration or just a product of this process associated with ageing. They often co-exist with MCL and ACL tears (some of the major knee ligaments).

What are the symptoms of a meniscus tear?

Do you think you could have a meniscus tear? Symptoms of injury to the meniscus may include:

• Pain: Especially when twisting or rotating your knee.
• Swelling: Usually develops within 24 hours after injury.
• Limited range of movement: You may find it difficult to fully bend or straighten your knee.
• Locking or catching sensation: Some people feel like their knee gets “stuck.”
• Instability: Your knee may feel like it’s giving out.

If you're relating to these symptoms, you must get professional advice. If you would like to see us for knee pain in Glasgow, we can guide you on what happens next based on your assessment findings. Most meniscus surgeries do not require surgery, however we can advise when you need an MRI scan or an operation.

What happens during knee surgery?

Meniscus is often performed via keyhole surgery (knee arthroscopy), which is minimally invasive. Your surgeon will create small incisions (cuts) in your knee to reach the meniscus with specialised surgical equipment and a tiny camera. They will inspect the damage, clean the area, and fix any rips. Your surgical wounds will be closed with stitches, staples, or sterile strips.

A physiotherapist will visit you before you leave the hospital to demonstrate simple exercises to help recover your knee's range of motion and strength.

A meniscectomy is typically performed as a day-case procedure, which means you may leave the hospital the same day. You will be unable to drive, so please plan for someone to transport you home after you are discharged.

How Can Physiotherapy Help Post-Surgery Recovery?

Post-surgery recovery isn’t just about resting—it’s about moving smartly and rebuilding strength. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in:

1. Reducing Pain and Swelling

Physiotherapy may use ice application, compression and exercises can help reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort. You may be asked to use a brace or use crutches. to manage load.

2. Improving Range of Motion

Stiffness after surgery is common. Your physio will guide you through gentle stretches and mobility exercises to restore flexibility in your knee.

3. Rebuilding Strength

Weak muscles around the knee can lead to further issues. Strengthening exercises target your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves to stabilise your joints and prevent re-injury.

4. Enhancing Balance and Coordination

After a meniscus tear, even walking can feel different. Physiotherapy includes proprioception exercises to improve balance and coordination, ensuring you move confidently again.

5. Return to Sport and Activity

From advice on how to walk normally, through to exercises, running plans and plyometrics Physiotherapy will help you return to sport and activity without re-injury of the meniscus or further ligament injuries.

How The Physio Clinic Glasgow Can Help Following a Meniscectomy

At The Physio Clinic Glasgow, we know the frustration of injury and its effect on mental well-being. We understand the importance of keeping you active, not just for your physical health but also for your psychological and social well-being. We offer tailored solutions to our clients and bespoke treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

Physiotherapy Assessment and Treatment for Post-Surgery

With a focus on evidence-based practice, our experienced, fully qualified expert physiotherapists will perform a thorough initial assessment, allowing us to give you a simple explanation for your injury or pain.

Your physiotherapist will guide you through your personalised rehabilitation plan to ensure it meets your needs and fits into your schedule.

Your detailed rehab plan is emailed directly, with a video demonstration and guidance on how to tackle your injury between sessions. We will continue to manage any performance-related issues to get you back to your best quickly.

We welcome any questions between sessions. If you find you have any queries concerning your rehabilitation progress, contact your physiotherapist in the first instance. Your comfort is always our priority, both physically and mentally.

Physiotherapy Review and Exercise Through Recovery and Rehabilitation

In the review sessions following your assessment, we discuss your injury management, your goals, and how we can achieve them through effective conditioning.

Your recovery progress is continually measured and evaluated, and your recovery plan is modified where necessary to guarantee results. We strive to adapt all of our plans to evolve with your changing requirements.

We will always work through any change in plan with you in our rehab space to ensure the plan works for you and addresses any symptoms effectively. This includes exercise observations and adjustments that we will sign off on once they are spot on.

Sports Massage for Sports Injuries

Whether it is for recovery or relaxation, our fully qualified massage therapist will be able to deliver a professional sports massage session tailored to your needs. That means you choose the duration, the areas requiring attention, and the intensity.

Choose a 30/45/60/90 slot to suit you. Not sure what's best? Send an enquiry through our 'contact' page!

Telehealth Assessment for Knee Pain

Can’t make it into our Glasgow clinic? Not to worry: we can deliver a thorough assessment and plan for you over a video call - thank you, technology!

We are pleased that we can now make physiotherapy more accessible for all, being well-versed in effective, remote pain management and rehabilitation.

If you need help from one of our physiotherapists but cannot make it into the clinic itself, we are only a video call away.