What does recovery after meniscus repair look like, week by week?

Weeks 0 to 2: protect and settle

• Crutches, with weight-bearing as instructed; some tears allow walking with the brace locked straight, while root and radial repairs often need little or no weight for several weeks
• Bending usually limited to about 90 degrees
• Priorities: full straightening, swelling control and switching the thigh muscle back on
• Stitches or strips are checked, and the wounds kept dry

Weeks 2 to 6: movement and early strength

Range of movement is built gradually within the limits set for your repair. Exercises progress to straight-leg raises in several directions, hip and core work, and gentle stationary cycling once bending allows. Many people with desk jobs are back at work in this phase, and driving becomes possible once you are off crutches, can control the leg safely and, for a right knee, can brake firmly.

Weeks 6 to 12: walking normally and building strength

Crutches and brace are usually discarded around six weeks once walking is steady. Strength work increases with leg press and step-ups in a limited range, balance training and longer cycling. Loaded squats beyond about 90 degrees, deep kneeling and twisting are still avoided, because the repair continues to mature.

Months 3 to 6: running and return to sport

If the knee is quiet, with no swelling and good strength, straight-line jogging commonly starts at around three to four months. Agility, cutting and sport-specific drills follow. Return to football, padel or basketball is usually at four to six months, after strength and hop tests show the leg is ready. In Qatar's summer, keep outdoor running to early mornings or moved to a treadmill.

What can change the timeline

Root repairs, large or complex tears, combined ACL reconstruction and physical jobs usually mean a slower plan. Dr. Gelber gives each patient at Aman Hospital in Doha a written protocol for their specific repair.