I have had two meniscul tears repaired six mths apart. With both I healed pretty quickly with in 3 wks. My dr has you on your leg the day after surgery and beginning physical therapy right away. Two times a wk for 4 wks. So I was walking without crutches in 5 days but back to work in 2 days. Lots of ice!!!!!

Well, my therapy was a lot longer than 4 weeks-- more like 5 months. I did have ACL surgery along with it so that could be why, although a friend of mine has had 2 months of physical therapy and he just had meniscus repair-- But if you're really active they may have you doing longer therapy anyways!

I would just really focus on your physical therapy afterwards. How fast you can build your muscle up depends on how quickly things will go for you. Your knee might be a little weak well after the surgery. Be careful and build the muscle around your knees! Quads quads quads!-- it was drilled into my head

When is your surgery?

Well my boyfriend had his surgery on Monday. He is doing good. He can put some weight on his knee but only for short distances like to the kitchen or bathroom. He is still in a lot of pain. But thats normal. I just wanted to know how to take care of him and to make sure he takes care of himself....He works construction so he needs to have his knee. His follow up is Friday so we should find out about therapy. Hes trying to end his knee himself. Everyday he practices until its hurts to bad. I think he will heal very nicely. What were some exercisised you did at home?

Well again, I had ACL so for a long time my excercise involved just flexing my knee, it works the quads! I was really skinny though so I had a hard time even finding what muscle I needed to flex. Have him do straight leg lifts while he's chillin in bed watchin tv or something, but only if he can. Don't overwork he should be resting! When that gets easy I had little weights that I strapped on my ankle then did the same thing. They will give him more later but mine consisted of straight leg stuff for a long time. Again, I was a skinny 18 year old girl so it may be different for him. How far can he bend it?

I'd look into a nice brace for when he goes back to work. Make sure he stregthens is quads well after the surgery and keeps them strong! His knee isn't back to 100% so he's got to work extra to prevent since he's physcally active at work.

Anyone know if it's normal to be diagnosed with complex meniscul tear, yet I can't get in for surgery until a month later, because they've got no openings?

Here in the USA, it is very common to have to wait a month to get in for a scheduled surgery...You have to take into consideration the fact that they have many emergencies....There are only so many hours in the day for a surgeon to work...They are pretty overworked to start....

Good luck with your surgery...

Caroline