Sports during meniscus healing? | Duration of a meniscus tear

Sports during meniscus healing?

In the case of a torn meniscus, it is always advisable to consistently adhere to the times for relief and protection of the knee joint as determined by doctors and therapists. For the duration of the healing process of the meniscus tear, however, it is equally necessary that the healing tissue is regularly exposed to loads that are good for the knee joint. The affected person should move and load the knee joint in reduced form.

Without such physiological stimuli, the body cannot build up functional and stable meniscal tissue. Since the meniscus is poorly supplied with blood, it feeds on the synovial fluid during movement. If such a moderate exercise therapy is not carried out, the physiological stress stimuli are absent and inferior replacement or scar tissue is formed.

An optimal load on the meniscus is achieved by axial loads (slight knee flexion of max. 60 degrees) as well as rotational movements of the knee joint. However, it should always be ensured that the wound healing of the meniscus tear is not yet complete and the intensity of the load should be oriented to the different phases of the wound healing.

In addition, it can be useful to perform increasing loads on the knee joint and menisci under physiotherapeutic guidance. Physiotherapy also serves to strengthen the muscles, maintain the mobility of the knee joint and stabilize the joint. At what point in time after a torn meniscus, what kind of sports activities can be resumed depends, among other things, on the age and constitution of the person affected.

In younger people, the healing process usually takes place more quickly, while in older people the wound healing process takes longer. It should always be borne in mind that a torn meniscus represents a considerable stress factor for the knee joint. The meniscus is made of hard fibrous cartilage and can damage the soft joint cartilage with every step by friction of the tear.

This can lead to joint wear and tear, knee joint arthrosis. One should never do sports with the meniscus tear that has not yet healed, especially if pain symptoms and complaints exist. Good care by doctors and therapists during the healing period is important and sensible.

The exercise program should be put together individually and be based on the state of healing and therapeutic goals. Sports that are easy on the knee joint, such as aqua jogging, crawl swimming and cycling, can be resumed earlier than sports that are hard on the knee joint, such as skiing, soccer or handball. These sports can place an excessive load on the meniscus due to abrupt changes in speed or direction or other rapid changes in dynamics.Any exercise that tenses the leg muscles is suitable, especially exercises to strengthen the front and back of the thigh muscles are useful.

The knee itself should not be moved during such exercises, i.e. neither bent nor stretched. Good coordination and strong muscles prevent signs of wear and tear in the knee and ensure a healthy meniscus. The upper and lower leg muscles close to the knee must be strengthened in order to achieve a controlled guidance of the knee in the movement sequence and to prevent incorrect loading.

Jogging and long distance running is very stressful for the knee and can further damage the meniscus. Therefore, such sports should only be practiced again when the knee is no longer thick, does not cause any discomfort or pain and the muscle strength in the leg is back to its original level.