How long after meniscus surgery can I play sports (and why)?
Generally I recommend patients wait 4 to 6 weeks after partial meniscectomy before they try to jog or play a sport that involves repetitive impact on the knee. It’s not that I’m worried that the patient would do further damage to the meniscus, although I suppose it’s possible.
What to expect after meniscus surgery?
what to expect after meniscus surgery A meniscus tear is a knee injury that is experienced by athletes and non-athletes. Often, no trauma occurs to cause a meniscus tear. Symptoms of a torn meniscus include pain, swelling and/or stiffness that may be accompanied by a catching/popping sensation in the affected knee.
How soon can I walk after meniscus surgery?
How soon you can walk after meniscus surgery depends on whether the surgery was open or arthroscopic, whether it was a partial or total removal of the meniscus, or whether the meniscus was repaired. In any case, patients are usually advised to stay off their feet and the use of crutches may be advised for at least several days.
How long after knee replacement can I play golf?
Golf does place a different type of force though the knee, and a general time frame for a full return to golf would be around 7 months, but that would depend on your surgeon. You may be able to head the the range, however, at around 4 months.
Can I play golf after meniscus surgery?
If you have had meniscus surgery, consider the intensity of your play, your body mechanics and the benefit of targeted exercises prior to returning to the game to decrease your risk of any issues. Be sure you are fully recovered from your injury and get the OK from your physician before you return to golf.
How long after knee surgery can you play golf?
“We usually advise patients to wait three to nine months before returning to golf,” says McLeod Orthopedic Specialist Dr. Thomas DiStefano. “To ensure a successful return, continue exercises your surgeon or physical therapist recommends until you're ready to tee it up.”
How soon can I go to sports after torn meniscus surgery?
Your doctor or physiotherapist will give you an idea of when you can return to these activities. If you had a partial meniscectomy, you might be able to play sports in about 4 to 6 weeks. If you had meniscus repair, it may be 3 to 6 months before you can play sports.
How long after ACL and meniscus surgery can you golf?
“A typical golfer post ACL surgery could be back on the golf course as soon as six months following surgery — if the golfer works with a surgeon and Physical Therapist and follows the plan of care.”
Can golf cause meniscus tear?
Because of the significant amount of turning and pivoting with golf, the meniscus is under a lot of stress. Golfing can cause meniscus tears, but they are not the most common golfing injury. Meniscus tears might also hurt more in golfers because of the constant twisting motion.
Can golf cause knee problems?
The top three golf-related injuries are: Meniscal and ligament tears. Tendonitis and tendinopathy. Provocation of degenerative change/osteoarthritis.
What is the fastest way to recover from meniscus surgery?
You will recover more quickly if you carefully follow all your doctor's instructions. In your first days after surgery, you will need apply ice frequently and elevate your knee above your heart to help relieve swelling. Be sure to get plenty of sleep, to help your body heal.
Can I jump after meniscus surgery?
After meniscus repair you should not put weight on the operated limb for 4 weeks and your leg will be kept straight in a knee brace. You should be away from sports activities (jumping, cutting, twisting activities) for at least 6 months after surgery. Use walker or crutches for walk.
How long does a meniscus repair take to heal?
It takes longer for a meniscus repair to heal than a meniscectomy. Full recovery from meniscus surgery can take anywhere from six weeks to three months. Your care after surgery may involve: Crutches to take stress off the knee as it heals.
Can I golf 4 months after ACL surgery?
A complete recovery from surgery to sport takes 4 to 6 months. If you do undergo surgery, you may continue to play golf only after complete rehabilitation and recovery to avoid further injuries.
How do I protect my left knee in golf?
2:328:38NEVER do this if you have bad knees in the golf swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we're not looking for a leg motion and leg circle like. This we're looking for that separation ofMoreSo we're not looking for a leg motion and leg circle like. This we're looking for that separation of the knee stays forwards. But the foot moves independently. And we get those rolling.
Can I golf with no ACL?
It's exceedingly rare for anyone to tear an ACL playing golf, and in fact Woods says he did it while running. Not only are ACL tears rare in golfers, but for a typical golfer, the injury won't keep you from playing.
How to repair a tear in the meniscus?
The surgery will aim to preserve the meniscus by repairing the tear or removing the torn part of the meniscus. Meniscus tear surgery is typically completed by arthroscopy, where a small camera is inserted into a tiny incision in the knee to guide the surgeon as they attempt to repair or remove the tear. To do this the surgeon will use small ...
How to treat meniscus tear?
It will depend on the location, degree, and type of tear that you are experiencing. Your age and activity level may also impact your treatment options. There are non-surgical options available, these include; Physical therapy.
What is a torn meniscus?
A torn meniscus is actually one of the more common knee injuries that are seen in many active people at any stage of life. This is also true in a relatively low-impact sport such as golf. In this article we will look at some key elements of a meniscus tear which will include; How are meniscus tears treated?
Why do I have knee injuries in golf?
Many of the golf injuries that occur in the knee joint are the result of overuse combined with poor swing mechanics. This is why it is so important to perfect your swing and ensure that you are doing everything possible to play a good game while also protecting these delicate joints.
What happens when you swing your knee?
The extreme force that is placed on the knee joint can result in torn ligaments, torn cartilage, and other soft tissue damage. Twisting motions of the knee joint while bearing weight on it during a swing can injure the intricate soft tissues which will result in pain.
Why does my knee hurt when I play golf?
Also, if you suffer from conditions such as arthritis then you may experience more knee pain while playing golf. This is due to your pre-existing joint condition. Other actions that can aggravate your knee conditions or contribute to an injury include bending or squatting to retrieve balls.
What are the most common injuries in golf?
The majority of these injuries are a result of poor mechanics or overuse. The most common golf-related injuries occur in the lower back, closely followed by the elbow, wrist and hand, and shoulder.
How long does it take to recover from a meniscus injury?
It is not uncommon for patients to take over eight weeks to recover enough from a meniscal injury to walk again.
What is the procedure for meniscus tears?
Arthroscopy for meniscus tears. Often, surgical treatment involves arthroscopy . The surgeon makes small incisions in the knee to insert the camera into the injured joint. Partial Meniscectomy. Another surgical option for meniscus injury treatment is a partial meniscectomy.
Why do surgeons use meniscal repair?
Generally, the meniscal repair is the preferred option for surgeons because it will allow more normal function of the knee and protect the articular cartilage than if part of the meniscus is removed altogether . Meniscal repair is also more commonly used for younger patients whose menisci haven’t degenerated.
What is meniscal repair?
Meniscal repair is also more commonly used for younger patients whose menisci haven’t degenerated. This option for surgical meniscus injury treatment is called transplantation, in which part of another person’s meniscus replaces the removed meniscus. This treatment is still in the exploratory and experimental stage.
What happens when the meniscus is less elastic?
The meniscus becomes less elastic. The meniscus loses some of its natural blood supply. What this means is that, with the same amount of rotation that our body handled easily in our teens and twenties, we now tear the meniscus, which unfortunately is the only cushion we have in our knee.
What is partial meniscectomy?
During a partial meniscectomy, the surgeon removes the part of the meniscus that is damaged and cannot be repaired. Meniscus Injury Repair. Yet another surgical option is called a meniscal repair, in which the surgeon uses sutures to sew the edges of the meniscus back together.
How many menisci are there between the tibia and the femur?
There are two menisci between the tibia and the femur. When you walk or run, you are actually placing two to eight times your body weight on the knee joint. It is the job of the meniscus to absorb this weight and distribute it evenly throughout the joint.
How long does it take to recover from a partial meniscectomy?
Partial meniscectomy. When you have your meniscus shaved or cut to remove a jagged edge, you may be able to return to sports in 7-9 weeks. Most athletes make a full recovery from this procedure and are able to return to their sport.
Can you recover from a meniscal tear?
Whether you play sports competitively or recreationally, every time you suit up to play, you’re at risk for various injuries, including a meniscal tear. You can definitely recover from it, and even have a good chance of returning to the court or field, but only if you take proper precautions and diligently follow the treatment plan.
Can you return to sports after a meniscal injury?
One study established a general rule of thumb for returning to sports after meniscal injuries:
Can you get a meniscus transplant if you have a tear?
If you’re dealing with a severe tear, your best option may be a complete meniscus transplant. In this case, a donor meniscus would replace your own. In all of these scenarios, the success rate is high and the risk is low.
How long after meniscectomy can I jog?
My answer to this question largely reflects my personal experience doing hundreds of these operations each year. Generally I recommend patients wait 4 to 6 weeks after partial meniscectomy before they try to jog or play a sport that involves repetitive impact on the knee.
What causes a patient to back off after jogging?
Variables affecting return to exercise and sports. Much of the recovery and return to activity depends on the individual patient. If a patient has good knee motion and strength, it can be reasonable to try more aggressive activity and see how it goes. If the knee hurts after jogging a short distance or it swells, then he backs off.
Can you heal your knees after meniscal surgery?
Unlike a meniscal repair surgery, though, there is no suture repair to heal. I often hear from patients that do try to return very soon after surgery that their knees swell and ache. Many of them say that doing too much activity in the early weeks after surgery actually caused them to have a longer overall recovery.
How long do you have to be on crutches after meniscus surgery?
Here are a few things to keep in mind about the recovery process for meniscus surgery: – Most patients are on crutches for only 1 or 2 days after surgery on the meniscus. Sometimes, you may be instructed to be on crutches for 4-6 weeks, but this is much less common.
What is a meniscus tear?
0. A meniscus tear is a knee injury that is experienced by athletes and non-athletes. Often, no trauma occurs to cause a meniscus tear. Symptoms of a torn meniscus include pain, swelling and/or stiffness that may be accompanied by a catching/popping sensation in the affected knee. If you are exhibiting signs of a torn meniscus, ...
How long does it take to return to golf?
Golf does place a different type of force though the knee, and a general time frame for a full return to golf would be around 7 months, but that would depend on your surgeon. You may be able to head the the range, however, at around 4 months.
How long does it take to recover from knee replacement?
The majority of people can return to full activity, without restrictions, in 4-6 weeks.
What is menisectomy surgery?
A menisectomy is performed when a relatively small portion of your meniscus is torn and is hindering your motion and/or function, and causing pain. This type of knee surgery is quite common. It is an arthroscopic procedure where the surgeon simply removes the torn section and cleans up the surrounding tissue.
What is the most common knee injury for a golfer?
A very common knee injury for an older (50+) golfer is a total knee replacement. This surgery is performed whenever the knee joint undergoes degenerative changes and is essentially bone on bone. The soft menisci have been worn done by use and/or arthritis.
Can knee surgery prolong the recovery time?
Well, the answer to that question lies solely with the specific type of injury and the severity. More severe knee injuries can even lead to surgery, which will further prolong the rehabilitation time. Let me get one thing in the clear, however. When it comes to knee rehab, or rehab or any nature, very few things are concrete.
Can you be out of golf with an ACL tear?
While not one of the most common golf injuries, an ACL tear can put you out of golf for a very long time. ACL injuries commonly occur with other athletic events, particularly those with contact or with quick changes of direction. However, see Tiger Woods for a top tier golfer that was greatly affected by an ACL tear.
Does golf swing affect knees?
Surprisingly, there are significant forces that work on your knee during the golf swing. A recent medical research article even compared the forces to those of jogging.
How long does it take to recover from meniscus surgery?
How long recovery takes depends on the type of meniscus surgery and the severity of the injury, but expect two weeks down time, at minimum. The meniscus is a crescent-shaped pad of cartilage located in the knee that helps stabilize and cushion the joint.
How to prevent meniscus tears?
However, there are some precautions that can be taken to minimize the risk of developing a torn meniscus: Warm up before exercise. Maintain thigh muscle strength with exercise.
What type of surgery is needed to repair a meniscus tear?
Types of meniscus surgery include: Partial or total meniscectomy (removal of the men iscus) Repair of the meniscal tear.
What is the best treatment for a meniscal tear?
Ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin) Naproxen ( Aleve) Use of crutches if pain is severe. Use of a knee brace if knee “gives out”. Physical therapy that involves straight leg raising exercises without weights once the pain begins to subside. If the meniscal tear is severe, surgery may be required.
How long does it take to walk without a knee brace?
Most patients can walk without a knee brace and crutches in about 2 to 3 months. Recovery time from a partial meniscectomy (partial removal of the meniscus) is quicker than recovery from a meniscus repair.
What test is used to diagnose a meniscal tear?
Apley test to determine where the pain is localized. Bounce home test to help determine the presence of a meniscal tear. Imaging tests used to help diagnose a meniscal tear include: X-rays.
What causes a torn meniscus?
Soccer. Football. Deep squatting or heavy lifting may also result in a torn meniscus. It may also occur from falls or other injuries to the knee, and from degenerative changes that are a result of aging .
