Current progress in meniscal repair and postoperative rehabilitation

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.