Meniscus Surgery Recovery: What Is It and What Does Recovery Look Like? By Mark Corry APA Physiotherapist

🦵 Meniscus Surgery Recovery: Whether You’re a Sportsperson or Just Want to Move Well Again

Whether you're chasing a ball on the pitch or just want to walk the dog without worrying about your knee, recovering from meniscus surgery takes the right approach.

A recent expert agreement between leading physios and surgeons from Europe and the US has laid out clear guidance on how to return safely to sport, work, or everyday life after meniscus surgery. Whether you’re in your 20s or your 60s, this is about getting you back to what matters most — with confidence.

 

🧠 First, What Is the Meniscus?

The meniscus is a tough, rubbery piece of cartilage inside your knee. You’ve got two in each knee, and they act as shock absorbers — protecting your joint and helping it move smoothly.

They’re commonly injured through:

  • Twisting awkwardly (in sport or day-to-day).

  • Age-related degeneration.

  • Sudden movements or awkward landings.

Surgery may involve:

  • A repair (where the tear is stitched up and needs time to heal)

  • A partial meniscectomy (where the torn bit is trimmed away)

 

💡 Meniscus Repair = A Longer but More Protective Recovery

If you’ve had a meniscus repair, your rehab might be slower to start — but it’s often better for the long-term health of your knee, especially for younger and active adults. You’ll likely have restrictions on how much you can bend your knee or put weight on it in the first few weeks.

This approach gives the meniscus the best chance to heal properly — which is especially important for older adults trying to avoid arthritis progression and athletes hoping to preserve long-term knee function.

 

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ What Does Recovery Look Like?

Here’s what a typical recovery process might include. Everyone’s different, and a physiotherapist will tailor this to your needs, whether that’s returning to sport or just managing stairs with ease.

🔹 Weeks 1–4: Healing & Gentle Movement

  • Reduce swelling and pain

  • Work on regaining range of motion — safely, and within any surgical limits

  • Rebuild early muscle activation (quads, glutes, core)

  • Learn to walk safely (you may be on crutches)

For an older adult: the goal might be comfortable walking, sitting to standing, or managing steps.

For an athlete: we’re already laying the groundwork for future power and control.

🔹 Weeks 4–8: Strength & Stability

  • Progress bodyweight strength work (squats, bridges, calf raises)

  • Improve balance and control — key for stability and joint protection

  • Start low-impact cardio (static bike, gentle cross-trainer)

  • Focus on good technique and quality of movement

🔹 Weeks 8–12: Moving With Confidence

  • More advanced strength training, depending on your goals

  • Begin more dynamic tasks: walking on hills, stairs, light jogging if appropriate

  • Functional drills: kneeling, stepping, carrying, reaching, or changing direction

Athletes will start sport-specific prep like hopping, agility, or reaction drills.

For everyday movers: focus might be on long walks, hill walking, or dancing again.

🔹 Beyond 3 Months: Returning to What You Love

  • Return to sport — gradually and with testing to ensure safety

  • Return to hobbies and work — gardening, walking, playing with grandchildren

  • Keep up strength work to maintain knee health long-term

 

🧠 Not Just Physical — Confidence Matters Too

It’s totally normal to feel nervous about trusting your knee again. Many people — especially after a repair — feel unsure about squatting, pivoting, or kneeling.

Your physio’s role isn’t just to build strength — it’s to rebuild trust in your movement. Confidence comes from structured progress and feeling the difference each week.

 

🗝️ Whether You're an Athlete or Just Want to Move Pain-Free…

Recovery from meniscus surgery is about more than just rest — it’s about:

  • Smart, guided movement

  • Restoring strength and control

  • Returning to your own goals, whether that’s the pitch or the park

 

🏥 How We Can Help

Our team works with a wide range of people after knee surgery — from GAA and rugby players to walkers, runners, and active retirees. We’ll design a personalised rehab plan that fits your body, your lifestyle, and your goals.

 

Pujol, N. et al. (2025) ‘The formal EU‐US Meniscus Rehabilitation 2024 consensus: An Esska‐AOSSM‐AASPT initiative: Part I—rehabilitation management after meniscus surgery (meniscectomy, repair and reconstruction)’, JOSPT Open, 3(3), pp. 1–9. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2025.0162.

Stuart McKayComment