top of page
Patient Room

Knee Surgery

What is the Meniscus? 

 

  • The meniscus is located between your lower leg bone (tibia) and your thigh bone (femur).

  • The meniscus is responsible for protecting the lower leg from body weight and acts as a cushion.

  • There are two menisci in the knee; the inside (medial) and outside (lateral) meniscus.

  • Meniscus tears can occur from forceful twisting and turning of your upper leg and knee. 

a00358f01.jpg

​​

​

  • Repair

    • suturing together the torn parts of the meniscus.

  • Debridement​

    • removal of the torn section of the meniscus.​​

  • Meniscectomy 

    • removal of some or all of the torn meniscus.

  • Meniscal Transplant 

    • replacement missing or damaged meniscus with a donor meniscus.

How are Meniscal Tears Treated? 

 

​​

​

​

​

​

meniscustears_1280-removebg-preview.png
en3715246.jpg

What is the ACL? 

 

  • The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the four primary ligaments in the knee that connect your upper and lower bones. 

  •  The ACL, along with the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) control the front and back motion of your knee.

  • The ACL is largely responsible for the rotational stability of your knee. 

​

ACL Reconstruction 

 

  • ACL reconstruction often requires the use of a portion of a tendon from another area of the body (often the Patellar Tendon or the Quadricep Tendon).

  • This tendon is then used to replace the damaged ACL. 

​

​

​

​

h9991490_001.jpg

Osteochondral Defects

​

  • An osteochondral defect happens when there is damage in a specific part of the cartilage that lines the ends of the bones. 

  • This often results in damage to both the cartilage and the bone around the knee. 

​

​

​

​

Osteochondral-Defect-400x560.jpg

Osteochondral Defect Repairs 

​

  • Microfracture 

    • A microfracture surgery is often performed for an Osteochondral Defect.​

    • this procedure involves making tiny holes in the bone of the knee to the underlying stem cells and bone marrow.

    • Over time these stem cells will develop into new cartilage, replacing the damaged cartilage. 

​

Microfracture.jpeg

Common Questions Following Knee Surgery

When can I take a shower? 

  • You can take a shower after 5 days after surgery.

  • Remove the white dressings and cover your incisions with waterproof bandages

How do I take care of my compression/wicking dressings (white dressings)?

  • Leave your dressings on and keep your shoulder dry for 5 days following your surgery.

  • After 5 days you can then remove/change your dressings. 

  • Replace the dressings with clean waterproof dressings over incisions. 

When can I drive again? 

  • You can begin driving 6 weeks after surgery provided that your doctor has not instructed you otherwise

When can I return to work?

  • Generally, a return-to-work program will begin after 12 weeks of physiotherapy. 

When do I follow up with my doctor?

2 weeks after surgery 

  • X-rays of your knee. 

  • Stitches removed. 

  • Physiotherapy plan reviewed.

​

6 weeks after surgery 

  • Knee is starting to heal. 

  • Continue with physiotherapy.

​

3 months after surgery 

  • Bring your physiotherapy progress report to your appointment. 

​

6 months after surgery 

  • Complete a survey on how your knee feels. 

​

Annually starting at 1 year after surgery 

  • Complete a survey on how your knee feels. 

  • X-rays of your knee. 

  • Follow up with your doctor as required.

​

​

iw_logo_720.png

Knee Menisectomy Rehabilitation Protocol - Click Here 

iw_logo_720.png

Knee Microfracture Rehabilitation Protocol - Click Here 

Meniscus Repair Rehabilitation Protocol - Click Here 

iw_logo_720.png
bottom of page