Open AccessCurrent Progress in Meniscal Repair and Postoperative Rehabilitation
Author(s) -
Scott W. Pyne
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
current sports medicine reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.424
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1537-8918
pISSN - 1537-890X
DOI - 10.1249/00149619-200210000-00003
Subject(s) - medicine , rehabilitation , meniscus , sports medicine , orthopedic surgery , knee surgery , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , osteoarthritis , physics , alternative medicine , incidence (geometry) , pathology , optics
The understanding and treatment of meniscal injury has evolved at a rapid pace over the past 20 years. With the realization of the meniscus as a vital structure to proper knee integrity, function, and longevity, the sports medicine and orthopedic communities have shifted the focus of conservative and surgical treatment to that of meniscal conservation. Hand-in-hand with this increased understanding, advances in surgical procedures, techniques, and equipment have followed. Likewise, postoperative rehabilitation protocols, based on an increased understanding of the meniscal physiologic response to injury, concurrent knee injury, repair technique, and patient-specific considerations, have advanced. Various surgical repair techniques have demonstrated superior results to complete and partial meniscectomy. Multiple factors including tear orientation and location, surgeon preference and experience, associated injuries, and patient goals and expectations often guide the type of surgery performed. Limitations in weight bearing, pivoting, and return to sporting activities in the rehabilitative process are currently areas of active rehabilitative research.