Meniscus Repair

Keep your dressings in place until your first follow-up appointment with Dr Free, usually 2 weeks post-surgery. If a dressing becomes wet or soaked with blood, it may be changed as needed. To minimise infection risk, try to limit dressing changes. The Tubigrip compression sleeve can be removed briefly for icing and showering but should be worn at all other times. 

The need for crutches depends on the type of meniscus tear and repair performed. Dr Free will advise you accordingly. In most cases, crutches are required for approximately 6 weeks. 

Certain tear types necessitate wearing a knee brace for up to 6 weeks. If prescribed, the brace should be worn continuously, including overnight, and can only be removed for showering. 

You should avoid driving until you are off strong pain medications, able to walk without crutches, and have good, pain-free knee motion. Return to driving timelines vary; for left knee surgeries in automatic vehicles, this may be sooner. Generally, plan to refrain from driving for up to 6 weeks. Always confirm with Dr Free before resuming driving. 

Return-to-work timing depends on your tear severity and job demands. Office-based roles with minor tears may allow a return in 3 to 4 weeks. For physically demanding jobs or more complex tears, full return may take up to 3 months. Dr Free will work with you to tailor a safe, realistic plan. 

Running should only commence once you have achieved full, pain-free knee range of motion, no swelling, and adequate quadriceps and hamstring strength. This typically occurs around 3-4 months post-operation but will be guided by Dr Free and your rehabilitation team. 

Return to sport depends on your tear type, rehabilitation progress, and the physical demands of your sport. Key milestones include absence of pain and swelling, full range of motion, and strength symmetry. For simple tears, return is often possible by 3 to 4 months; complex tears may require up to 6 months.