It has been weeks since my meniscus repair and I still cannot bend my knee fully. Is that normal?

Why bending is held back on purpose

When the knee bends deeply, the thigh bone rolls back onto the rear of the meniscus, which is where most repairs are. Deep bending under weight would pull on fresh stitches. That is why many repair protocols restrict bending, sometimes with a hinged brace, and avoid weight-bearing squats for around three months.

So a knee that bends only to about 90 to 110 degrees at six weeks is often exactly on plan. Full bending, such as sitting on your heels, commonly returns between three and five months.

Straightening matters more

Being unable to fully straighten the knee is a bigger problem than limited bending. A knee that stays slightly bent makes walking tiring, overloads the front of the knee, and can become fixed if scar tissue forms. Your physiotherapist will usually prioritise full straightening from the first days, with exercises such as heel props and quadriceps sets.

Signs that stiffness needs attention

• You cannot reach full straightening after the first two to three weeks
• Bending has stopped improving for several weeks once restrictions are lifted
• The knee stays hot and swollen
• You feel a mechanical block rather than tightness
• Pain is increasing rather than settling

What helps and when to be seen

Regular, gentle movement several times a day works better than one forceful session. Stationary cycling, once allowed, is excellent for regaining bend. Control swelling with ice and elevation, because a swollen knee will not bend. If progress stalls, Dr. Gelber reviews the knee at Aman Hospital in Doha. Most stiffness resolves with focused physiotherapy, and only occasionally is a procedure to release scar tissue needed.