SYNOPSIS: Preservation of meniscal tissue is paramount for long-term joint function, especially in younger patients who are athletically active. Many studies have reported encouraging results following repair of meniscus tears for both simple longitudinal tears located in the periphery and complex multiplanar tears that extend into the central third avascular region. This operation is usually indicated in active patients who have tibiofemoral joint line pain and are less than 50 years of age. However, not all meniscus tears are repairable, especially if considerable damage has occurred. In select patients, meniscus transplantation may restore partial load-bearing meniscus function, decrease symptoms, and provide chondroprotective effects. The initial postoperative goal after both meniscus repair and transplantation is to prevent excessive weight bearing, as high compressive and shear forces can disrupt healing meniscus repair sites and transplants. Immediate knee motion and muscle strengthening are initiated the day after surgery. Variations are built into the rehabilitation protocol according to the type, location, and size of the meniscus repair, if concomitant procedures are performed, and if articular cartilage damage is present. Meniscus repairs located in the periphery heal rapidly, whereas complex multiplanar repairs tend to heal more slowly and require greater caution. The authors have reported the efficacy of the rehabilitation programs and the results of meniscus repair and transplantation in many studies.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(3):274-290, Epub 4 September 2011. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.3588

KEY WORDS: knee rehabilitation, meniscus repair, meniscus transplant

The purpose of this paper is to provide current knowledge regarding the indications, operative techniques, rehabilitation programs, and clinical outcomes of meniscus repair and transplantation procedures. Meniscus tears that occur in the periphery may be repaired using a variety of operative procedures with high success rates. Complex multiplanar tears that extend into the central one-third avascular zone can also be successfully repaired using a meticulous vertically divergent suture technique.

The outcome of these repairs justifies preservation of meniscal tissue, especially in younger athletic individuals. Meniscal transplantation is a valid treatment option for patients who have undergone meniscectomy and have related tibiofemoral joint pain, or in whom articular cartilage deterioration in the meniscectomized compartment is present.

Rehabilitation after these operations includes knee motion and quadriceps-strengthening exercises initiated the first day postoperatively. The initial goal is to prevent excessive weight bearing and joint compressive forces that could disrupt the healing meniscus repair or transplant. The protocol contains modifications according to the type of meniscal tear, if a concomitant procedure is done (such as a ligament reconstruction) or if noteworthy articular cartilage deterioration is present. Patients who have repairs of peripheral meniscus tears are generally progressed more rapidly than those who have repairs of tears extending in the central one-third region or those who undergo meniscal transplantation. The safety and effectiveness of the rehabilitation program has been demonstrated in several clinical studies. We recommend preservation of meniscal tissue, regardless of age, in active patients whenever possible.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006; 36(10):795-814. doi:10.2519/jospt.2006.2177

Key Words: knee rehabilitation, meniscus repair, meniscus transplant