Physiotherapy for a meniscus lesion

Physiotherapy is an important factor in rehabilitation after a meniscus lesion and helps to restore mobility, strength, coordination and stability of the knee joint. A meniscus lesion is not only a typical sports injury, but can affect anyone. The injury usually occurs when an unfavorable rotational movement is performed with the knee.

There are two menisci in each knee, the inner meniscus and the outer meniscus. In the case of injuries, the inner meniscus is usually more likely to be affected, as it is more restricted in its freedom of movement than the outer meniscus. Whether as a conservative therapy method or post-operatively, physiotherapy is in both cases the first point of contact for the patient to start therapy.

Physiotherapy

The physiotherapeutic treatment after a meniscus lesion aims to get the patient back on his feet as quickly as possible. If an operation was necessary, physiotherapeutic treatment is started directly the day after the operation. Even with conservative treatment, the earlier the treatment is started, the better the chances of recovery.

At the beginning, lymph drainage is a suitable accompanying form of therapy to reduce or prevent any swelling. In lymphatic drainage, the lymphatic system is stimulated by various grip techniques, which makes it easier to remove excess fluid from the body. Gentle tension exercises for calf and thigh muscles are a good introduction to active treatment.

Especially in the first days after the operation or the occurrence of the injury, gait training is also part of the physiotherapy plan, as patients are not yet allowed to put full weight on the knee again, depending on the severity of the lesion. Mobilization of the kneecap and training for bending and stretching the knee joint is also important. Once the first phase of rehabilitation is well underway, physiotherapy now actively devotes itself to post-operative training.

The goals here are to achieve full mobility, full weight bearing and improved coordination, so that the patient is free of pain again as quickly as possible and can resume his or her usual sports activities as desired. All this is achieved through targeted strengthening, stretching and mobilization exercises, which are performed under the supervision of the therapist. How quickly a patient progresses in the rehabilitation process and how early he or she is fully loaded again and is able to return to sports depends here too on the type of lesion. All in all, the treatment and physiotherapy of a meniscus lesion requires a training plan that is specially adapted to the individual patient in order to accelerate the healing process and achieve the best possible results.