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Meniscus postoperative period. Rehabilitation after knee meniscus surgery

Hello my friends!

So, why do menisci get injured? The main cause of injuries is still the same - a load that the meniscal tissue is not designed to withstand.

First of all, athletes suffer from meniscus injuries, however, these injuries can also happen to ordinary people, so to speak, in everyday life. You can sit down awkwardly, twist your leg, stumble, or fall. And if weakness in the meniscal tissue is added to an unfortunate combination of circumstances, injury will occur. In addition, damage to the meniscus in most cases occurs in combination with injury to other structures of the joint.

Let's try to understand the following questions:

As with ligaments, meniscus injuries can be post-traumatic And degenerative.

Degenerative damage can occur under normal natural load due to destruction processes occurring in the cartilaginous tissue of the meniscus itself and making it unable to withstand loads. This usually occurs in older people and is associated with the course of various joint diseases. If the fibers of the connective tissue of the meniscus are not very strong, then a sudden awkward movement or a slight bruise is enough to cause serious damage.

However, we must always remember that injuries at a young age, subsequent operations, improper physical activity and disregard for one’s health and joints can quickly lead to degenerative changes and destruction of the menisci and cartilage in the future. If you have had surgery on a joint, had a meniscal injury or any other injury, then you, like no one else, must think and take care of your joints, do everything possible to ensure that the restoration processes in the joints prevail over the destructive ones. This is exactly what my blog is about: proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, exclusion of everything harmful, proper physical activity and the belief that everything will be fine.

There are two menisci in our knees: medial (inner) and lateral (outer). When moving, jumping, hitting, the menisci move, working as shock absorber sponges, absorbing intra-articular fluid, then releasing it again, absorbing impacts, protecting cartilage and giving additional stability to the joint.


Both menisci can be injured. But at the same time, the outer meniscus is more mobile and its injuries occur much less frequently. The internal meniscus is less mobile, since its body is tightly connected to the internal collateral ligament of the joint. This stability does not benefit him: he did not have time to escape, received a blow and was injured.

Given this, both menisci are injured differently. For one, certain types of injuries are more typical, for the second - other types.

So, traumatology distinguishes injuries:

  • separation of the body of the internal meniscus from the joint capsule;
  • tear of the internal or external meniscus. The breaks can be longitudinal and transverse;
  • compression of the outer part of the meniscus (or pinching).

Below are possible options and types of meniscal body tears.



Symptoms of a meniscus injury

With any serious knee injury, the symptoms are very similar. Determining exactly what is damaged is not so easy. If the injury is severe, bruising is visible, severe pain, or the joint is swollen, then you should consult a doctor immediately. If you have experienced pain or swelling, but this has not caused any big problems, it is also advisable to see a doctor, but you can later, especially if you felt something unusual before: crunching, clicking, jamming. I don’t suggest running to the doctor as soon as you hit a chair with your knee and swelling appears, but you should listen to your body. Most likely, he will report the problem with pain and unusual sensations. And the doctor will already make the correct diagnosis, the main thing is to get to a good experienced specialist. We have this real problem, unfortunately. Therefore, a lot depends on you.

But official medicine still leads symptoms of a torn or damaged meniscus :

  • increased body temperature in the joint area;
  • sharp pain (usually diffuse, but for some time located on the outer or inner surface of the knee);
  • when the joint is bent, a characteristic click is heard;
  • difficulty going up and down stairs;
  • the joint is increased in volume. If you have this symptom, you should immediately contact a specialist.

As you can see, the symptoms of a meniscus injury are not specific and are also typical for ligament injuries, severe bruises, and arthrosis with arthritis, so only an orthopedic doctor can determine the cause after a thorough examination.

Mechanism of injury

Damage to the meniscus occurs when there are sudden movements of the lower leg with rotation at the knee joint, but with a fixed foot. Less commonly, ruptures occur during awkward squats, jumping, or hitting.

Very often, a meniscus injury occurs in combination with other injuries. For example, if the cruciate ligament is torn. When a ligament ruptures, the bones diverge at an uncharacteristic amplitude, transfer abnormal movement to the meniscus, and injury occurs. A striking example of complex damage is the “unfortunate triad”.


« Unlucky triad" or " Turner's triad"- rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, rupture of the internal (tibial collateral) collateral ligament and rupture of the internal (medial) meniscus.

When an injury occurs, a person feels sharp pain, and even a characteristic cracking sound is possible. After some time, swelling of the joint occurs, it is difficult to move the knee and step on it.

Let's assume that only the meniscus was damaged and no other serious injuries occurred. How will events develop?

Let me remind you that the menisci do not have nerve endings, so they cannot hurt. But the menisci with their body, the outer part, are attached to the lateral ligaments. On the outside, each meniscus is surrounded by a large number of ligaments and other tissues. When the meniscus is injured, the ligaments that surround and support it are also injured, but there are already nerves and blood vessels there. Therefore, swelling and pain occur. The body naturally sends blood and fluid there to relieve pain and repair.

Therefore, the danger here is that such pain passes quickly. The pain that is felt during an injury comes from microdamages of these same ligaments and soft tissues that hold the meniscus. After some time they heal, but the meniscus does not. Everything seems fine to you, you forget about the injury, you don’t limit yourself in movements, and problems begin.

The meniscus, already damaged, experiences the same loads, but its integrity and functions are partially lost. But you don’t know this.

Consequences of meniscus injury

What can happen when not everything is ok with our menisci?

  • With longitudinal tears, parts of the meniscus, as a rule, retain connection with other structures and are held in place, but during movement or active work of the knee joint, the torn part can bend, go to the side, or become pinched between the condyles (protrusions) of the lower leg and thigh. This displacement of the meniscus of the knee joint causes blockage. You suddenly feel like your knee can't bend or straighten all the way. Insert a pencil between the wall and the door; you will not be able to close it completely. Same thing in the knee. This is a clear indicator that the meniscus or part of it is out of place and is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. I wrote how to do this in .
  • With degenerative processes occurring in the knee, painful sensations are not observed immediately, but occur over a long period of time. Menisci and other structures weaken and gradually collapse (microcracks, microfractures, lose their elasticity and strength). The knee often swells, swells, and pain appears, which arises without knowing why, as it seems to us. And then one awkward movement in everyday life is enough to cause a rupture of the tissue of the degenerative meniscus.
  • If, as a result of an injury, part of the meniscus is torn off and this piece dangles freely in the joint cavity, the situation is dangerous. The danger is that the meniscus tissue is harder in composition than cartilage tissue and, dangling in the joint, getting between moving cartilages, even a small piece can seriously damage the cartilage, erasing it to the bone. If part of the meniscus gets between the cartilages and prevents the joint from bending, it also occurs blockade.

Joint blockage is manifested by sudden pain and inability to bend the leg. In this case, you need to carefully and lightly massage the joint, bend it, shake it so that a piece of the meniscus moves to another place. And run to an orthopedic traumatologist as quickly as possible. The doctor will already suggest a further plan of action.

However, there are human specimens that can endure pain and all these inconveniences for years until they decide to see a doctor. Although over the years I have become overzealous, the process of destruction occurs much faster. So don't waste your time.

Most often, after an attack of blockade, the joint becomes inflamed and swollen. Formed joint effusion(excess liquid). If all this is tolerated, then each pinching will be accompanied by damage to the cartilage, and inflammation will lead to deformation and destruction of other structures of the knee joint.

If you delay and do not identify meniscus damage as early as possible, this can lead to the injury becoming chronic, with further degeneration and cystic degeneration of tissue. Even with a very small old injury, a meniscus cyst can form.

Meniscal cyst is a fluid cavity formation in the thickness of the meniscus of the knee joint. There, fluid accumulates, stretches the meniscus tissue, and forms a cyst. With such changes in the structure of the meniscus, the risk of further injury and rupture increases.

Even in the absence of severe pain, and the pain threshold is different for all people, a damaged meniscus, due to uneven friction between the articular surfaces of the bones, will lead to the destruction of cartilage and ultimately to more serious diseases (arthritis, arthrosis, etc.).

What is an articular mouse and chondromic body

Let's clarify the existing definitions, so as not to get lost on occasion.

In case of injuries, meniscus tears or other diseases, pieces of tissue that move freely in the joint cavity, causing joint blockades and damage, depending on the cause of their appearance and composition, can be called differently:

Articular mouse is a pathological formation (a particle of cartilage, bone tissue, meniscus, synovial membrane or hardened blood clot) that floats freely in the articular cavity and can become pinched between the articular surfaces, leading to intense pain and damage.

Articular mouse appears as a result of injury, or with diseases and inflammation in the joint, when tissues are destroyed, blood clots and other “garbage” appear, or with Koenig’s disease, when after heavy loads, microtrauma of the bone, malnutrition and other processes, death and pieces of cartilage and bone fall into the joint.

Chondromic body- These are loose osteochondral bodies that cause pain and “blockade” of the joint. Formed as a result of injuries and some diseases. It's essentially the same as an articular mouse.

The presence of a moving piece of meniscus (chondromic body) in the joint cavity, periodically causing its blockade, sooner or later will definitely lead to the destruction of cartilage. The hyaline cartilage tissue of the knee joint is softer in structure than the meniscal tissue. Therefore, just as sand that gets into the bearing will destroy it, so the torn part of the meniscus will inevitably lead to the destruction of the internal cartilaginous surfaces of the joint.

Diagnosis and treatment of meniscus

As with other injuries of the knee joint, the most informative and safest way to diagnose meniscus injuries is MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

There are cases when MRI cannot give a complete picture and determine the cause of pain or other phenomena. Then the last option is to carry out arthroscopic examination. This, unfortunately, is almost an operation. An arthroscope and camera are inserted into the joint to examine the cause of the disease. But in this case, the implementation should be carried out with the goal of immediately eliminating the causes of pain. All this must be discussed in advance with the surgeon if you are faced with the need for such a study. It’s stupid to just pierce the joint, find the cause and sew it up without doing anything. Must be completed immediately sanitation (cleaning) joint and foreign bodies and pieces of cartilage were removed. Therefore, you need to be prepared for the fact that arthroscopic examination will immediately turn into an operation to correct the problem.

In case of injuries to the meniscus, the presence of chondromic bodies or mice in the joint, or the need to remove the torn part of the meniscus, the solution to the problem can only be resolved surgically. Currently, such operations are performed only using a minimally invasive method (low-traumatic) using an arthroscope. If there is no medical institution in your area that performs such operations, you will have to do something to find one. The Internet will give you the opportunity to find and contact the most convenient clinic or doctor for you, and consult. So-called abdominal operations (when the joint is completely opened for access) are no longer performed. If something like this is offered somewhere, this is an unreasonable act, especially with a meniscus injury.

Arthroscopic meniscal resection is a high-tech operation performed through minimal incisions using an arthroscope (a fiber-optic probe with a diameter of 0.5 cm, to which a light source and a video camera are attached). The operation consists of cutting and removing the damaged part of the meniscus. The damaged edges of the meniscus are ground and smoothed.

During the operation, the surgeon makes two or three punctures in the joint cavity. An arthroscope, which is equipped with a camera and a light source, is inserted into one puncture. The image, enlarged several times, is transmitted to the monitor. Special surgical instruments are inserted into the second hole to carry out the necessary manipulations. Also, during the operation, fluid (saline solution) is constantly pumped and pumped into the joint, which flushes and expands the joint cavity for access and manipulation.

If a meniscal injury is detected, the doctor chooses further actions based on many other factors: the size of the injury, the location of the injury, the presence of other injuries, the patient’s physical condition, his physical activity, etc. Based on these data, either meniscus resection or suturing is performed. Since the meniscus is an important part of the structure of the joint, the doctor will do everything possible to preserve it.


The opposite is also true: when performing arthroscopic surgery, after establishing the main diagnosis, everything should begin with a complete arthroscopic examination of the internal cavity of the joint and if other hidden damage or problems are detected, measures should be taken to eliminate them.

In order not to encounter unpleasant surprises during surgery, doctors require an MRI analysis, as the most informative to date. So don't waste your money on other studies. You will still have to do an MRI.

Of course, cases are different and, perhaps, an experienced doctor will consider that with these symptoms it will be enough to take only an X-ray of the joint. Based on the relationship of the bones to each other, the correctness of the joint space and other signs, he will determine and make the correct diagnosis. But let’s be honest, in order to draw conclusions based on such data, you need a very experienced doctor. In any case, you should not prescribe research and treatment for yourself, so as not to waste money and time. I described how to do it more effectively in the article. But, in any case, act wisely and according to the circumstances.

Rehabilitation after meniscus surgery

After arthroscopic resection of the meniscus, you can stand on the operated leg within a few hours. Usually the patient stays in hospitals for 2-3 days. If you had this operation done in a paid clinic, you will most likely be kicked out the next day. After 10-12 days, you can already do simple loads on the knee joint. The best advice here would be to listen to your body and sensations. You will feel that you can load the joint more and more. After arthroscopic resection of the meniscus, all functions of the knee joint are restored and you can engage in sports or any other physical activity.

If a meniscus injury or chondromic body did not arise as a result of injury, but as a result of degenerative changes, you will have to take a more serious approach to solving your problem. If you don't change anything in your life and diet, the problem will happen again. Therefore, I strongly advise you to approach it comprehensively in this case. It is necessary to work on restoring not only joints to slow down destructive processes, but also improving the health of the entire body. First, the doctor will recommend medication and physiotherapeutic treatment. But, having done all this, you can’t stop. You will have to learn to live, periodically thinking about your health and joints. It's not difficult, it's more difficult, in my opinion, to constantly go through operations, tests and doctors' offices and spend more and more money on all this.

I advise you to use the same tips that are described in to help the body recover in the postoperative period.

But supplements are supplements, food is food, and first of all, for prevention of meniscus injuries and at rehabilitation after surgery It is recommended to train on the knee joint quadriceps femoris muscle– main extensor of the knee joint. It has long been established that the weaker this muscle is, the more likely injuries are due to overload, not only of the meniscus, but also of other components of the joint.

An elementary version of a strengthening exercise is to slowly raise and lower a straight leg. First sitting, then standing. A little later, you can buy leg weights and do exercises with them.

Quadriceps femoris (quadriceps). The muscle consists of and is divided into four muscles: vastus internus (1), rectus femoris (2), vastus externus (3) and vastus medialis (4).

Swimming (well, everyone knows this) and riding an exercise bike are very good for rehabilitation and strengthening muscles. That is, you put stress on the muscles, not on the joint. By bending freely, you help to mix the intra-articular fluid - the main source of nutrition for the menisci and cartilage.

The most important thing is that your exercises are not aimed at loading the leg, but specifically at voltage leg muscles and specifically the quadriceps femoris muscle.

A little later, you can add loads: small squats and jumps.

After any surgery on the knee or other joints, it is necessary to visit a rehabilitation doctor at least a couple of times. Based on your specific case, he will make recommendations and recommend exercises and activities for the rehabilitation period.

To consolidate the material, I suggest you watch a short video on the topic of meniscus injury.

Meniscus repair and implantation

To completely dot the i's, at the end of the article I am adding a chapter on meniscus restoration and implantation. Many people think that it is possible to restore and even replace the meniscus. Where it came from is not known. Let's figure out how things stand today.

Until recently, doctors didn't even know what menisci were for, and when menisci became damaged or torn, they were simply removed entirely. It was believed that the meniscus was like appendicitis. It is there, but you can do without it. Nowadays, when performing an operation, a good trauma surgeon will always try, if possible, to leave at least some part of the meniscus if it has ruptured.

I advise you to read the article about the structure and zones. To understand when the meniscus can be sutured and when it cannot be done. If the meniscus is so damaged that it is impossible to leave at least a part, then it has to be removed.

Of course, only the operating surgeon decides whether to suture the meniscus or remove part or all of it. And most often during the consultation he will definitely not tell you anything. Only after penetrating the joint during surgery and fully assessing the picture of the damage, the doctor independently chooses a method, so to speak, of treating the meniscus. Choosing the option that is acceptable in your case requires taking into account a wide variety of factors. Therefore, I warn you again: Look for a good doctor!

Operations on the meniscus can be divided into:

  • Arthroscopy or arthrotomy to restore the meniscus,
  • Meniscectomy- removal of the entire meniscus of the knee joint or its damaged part.
  • Transplantation meniscus

We have discussed the first two methods. This is understandable. Let's move on to the third. Meniscus transplantation.

There is an opinion that if the damage to the meniscus is so extensive that during surgery it would require its complete removal, then the issue of its possible restoration should be considered. But this is just an opinion. They say that in our time, transplantation of the meniscus is possible and this is advisable in case of significant damage, when it no longer fulfills its functions.

Currently, meniscus transplantation is not performed in Russia. There are many reasons for this. These are technical, monetary issues, issues relating to licenses and rights to materials, technologies, etc. In addition, at present, only synthetic meniscus implants can be implanted, and no one knows how they will serve in 15-20 years. This is the situation.

I have not met any doctors who do this, nor patients with whom I can clarify this question. If such operations are carried out, then, for obvious reasons, only abroad and then in small research quantities.

Irradiated and frozen menisci are used for transplantation. The best results are obtained from fresh frozen (donor) human menisci. Artificial meniscal endoprostheses are also used.

A number of donor meniscus transplants have been performed in the United States and are said to take root well. If the transplanted meniscus is not rejected by the patient’s body in the first years, the development of arthrosis in the knee can be avoided.

There is also collagen meniscal implant is a “sponge-like” structure consisting of a high degree of purity. It is transplanted to the site of the removed meniscus. The porous structure serves as a “base” for homologous (having the same origin as cartilage) cells, which in turn leads to the formation of new meniscus tissue. Within seven to eight weeks after surgery, patients can fully put weight on the knee.

To date, such an implant has been transplanted into 200 patients around the world and there is a good chance of recovery.

Not long ago, news broke that researchers at Columbia Medical University had developed a way to replace a damaged meniscus. individual implant. So far, these studies have only been conducted on sheep.

After scanning a healthy joint, based on the data obtained, a model or frame of the meniscus is created on a 3-D printer from polycaprolactone, a biodegradable polymer that is used in threads for surgical sutures. This implant is then loaded with two human proteins: connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor β3 (TGFβ3), thereby inducing the body's stem cells to repair the meniscus. This method is said to have been successfully tested in sheep.

So we are expecting research in humans soon.

In the meantime, let's take care of our joints.

Best wishes. The main thing is don’t get sick!

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The meniscus is the cartilaginous layer of the knee joint, which is located between the surfaces of the tibia and femur. The meniscus acts as a stabilizer and shock absorber. But under certain loads, especially when playing sports, it may rupture.

Knee injuries like this happen quite often. They account for 75% of all closed knee injuries.

Restoring the meniscus after injury is possible through surgery (arthroscopy), during which the tissue is stitched together with a special thread. If this method is not suitable for some reason, resection is resorted to. Sometimes, to eliminate the rupture, joint replacement is performed, replacing it with an implant that assumes the function of the meniscus.

The essence of arthroscopy is to perform two punctures of the knee joint, which are made using special video equipment.

Rehabilitation after surgery consists of a whole complex, including physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises.


The length of the recovery period depends on the nature of the injury and the extent of the rupture.

Exercises for recovery after knee arthroscopy

If a partial or complete resection of the meniscus was performed using an arthroscopy, rehabilitation should begin within 7 days after the operation.

If at the time of the injury there was a rupture of the ligaments or resection of the meniscus was carried out using the usual open method, rehabilitation exercises will have to be postponed, since in this situation the knee needs rest for some time.

Physical exercises should not be introduced immediately after suturing the edges of the meniscus.

First they must grow together, and only then the knee can be given loads. Rehabilitation after surgery can take up to 7 weeks. More precisely, the recovery period depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Initial recovery

Early rehabilitation after arthroscopy has the following goals:

Strengthens the thigh muscles to stabilize the knee. Elimination of inflammation and normalization of blood circulation in the knee joint. Limitation of range of motion.

Recovery exercises are carried out in different starting positions:

Standing on your good leg. Sitting, easily straightening the sore leg. There should be a cushion under the heel. Lying down, straining your thigh muscles for 5-10 seconds.

Important! Any exercises after an injury or tear of the meniscus of the knee joint can only be performed with the approval of the attending physician. Moreover, as a result of the operation, there should be no effusion or blood in the joint.

Further recovery

The tasks of late rehabilitation include:

Formation of normal gait and restoration of motor function lost due to injury. When a contracture forms, its elimination is necessary. Strengthening the knee muscles.

Exercises in the pool or gym are good for this. Walking and cycling are very beneficial.

A set of health exercises

Walking backwards. It is advisable to perform this exercise on a treadmill. The patient must hold on to the handrails. The driving speed should not exceed 1.5 km/h. It is necessary to achieve full straightening of the leg. Squats with a ball. In the initial “standing” position, the patient should lean back a little. There is a ball between the lower back and the wall. You need to perform squats, reaching an angle of 90. You should not sit lower, otherwise the load on the joint will be excessive. Exercise with a 2-meter rubber band. The tape is fixed on one side to a stationary object, and on the other to the healthy leg. By swinging to the side, you train the muscles of both legs at once. Gymnastics on a steppe (a small platform used for aerobics). If little time has passed after the operation, use a low step. Gradually the height should be increased. When performing descents and ascents, it is necessary to ensure that the shin does not deviate to the side. Ideally, this can be controlled in the mirror. Balance training is performed using an oscillating platform. For the patient, the main task is to maintain balance. Jumps on the leg, which are first performed over a drawn line and later over a bench. This exercise trains muscle strength and coordination of movements. Jumps can be performed on the steppe or on a flat surface. For greater efficiency, you need to jump both sideways and straight. When performing actions on an exercise bike, you need to make sure that your leg is straightened at the lowest point.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

In the postoperative period, physiotherapy is aimed at improving metabolism and blood circulation in the tissues of the knee and accelerating regeneration processes. In this regard, massage, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, and electrical muscle stimulation are effective.

Massage should be done for swelling and loss of mobility in the knee joint. The patient must learn to perform massage independently in order to carry out this procedure in any free time, several times a day.

The joint itself should not be massaged during the rehabilitation period. All other physical procedures are carried out in the clinic.

Surgical repair of the meniscus

The meniscus plays an important role in the functioning of the knee joint. Therefore, they do not completely remove it, but try to preserve healthy tissue as much as possible, which is exactly how meniscus surgery is performed. In medicine, there are two methods of surgically restoring the meniscus: suturing and prosthetics.

The first method is used for linear breaks, if no more than 7 days have passed since the injury. It is advisable to apply a suture only in areas of good blood supply. Otherwise, the tissue will never heal, and after a while the injury will recur.

Meniscus endoprosthetics using special polymer plates is performed quite rarely. It is most often prescribed when most of the cartilage has been removed and there has been extensive destruction of the joint. In addition, there is the possibility of transplanting fresh frozen donor tissue.

To summarize, I would like to remind all people that if you have a knee injury, you must immediately contact a traumatologist. The doctor will determine the nature of the damage and prescribe adequate treatment.

Performing simple exercises to restore meniscus function will very soon help you forget about the sad incident and return the patient to his former active life.

Rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint takes place in several stages. The outcome of surgical intervention largely depends on a competent program for restoring motor functions, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the features of therapeutic measures.

Why is rehabilitation important?

During arthroscopy, surgeons inject an irrigating fluid into the joint cavity, which is used to separate the joints and create space for the operation. Sometimes this fluid can leak into the surrounding soft tissue and cause bleeding and swelling.

It is not surprising that after surgery tissue swelling occurs and the patient experiences severe pain. During surgery, nerve endings and blood vessels are damaged, which contributes to the development of the inflammatory process.

Pain and swelling make a person afraid to move a limb. The patient may develop arthrosis. Therefore, the essence of rehabilitation after meniscus resection is as follows:

eliminate painful sensations; accelerate the process of tissue regeneration; normalize the secretion of joint fluid; restore motor function of the knee.


Recovery after meniscus arthroscopy consists of a number of treatment procedures:

drug therapy; physiotherapy; physiotherapy.

Only a doctor can determine the advisability of certain therapeutic procedures, so do not neglect consulting a specialist.

Early and late postoperative period

Early recovery after meniscus surgery is intended to:

eliminating the inflammatory process; improving blood circulation processes; prevention of muscle atrophy.

Immediately after surgery, the knee joint is immobilized. Doctors prescribe nonsteroidal drugs that are taken as local anesthetics.

In case of fluid accumulation in the joint, a puncture must be done to prevent infectious processes. Bactericidal agents are mandatory.

After resection of the meniscus, the doctor prescribes chondroprotectors, which help restore damaged cartilage tissue. But such medications must be taken for at least 3 months. Experts often prescribe drugs in the form of injections.

In the postoperative period, physiotherapeutic procedures are necessary. Exercise therapy is an important component of the rehabilitation course.

The late postoperative period also has its own characteristics. Surgery on the meniscus involves a gradual increase in loads on the joint. Patients do special exercises for 20 minutes 3 times a day. Exercise therapy is carried out until the painful symptoms disappear completely.

Exercises after knee meniscus removal include:

Active movements of various types using safety nets. Squats. Walking with feet rolling backwards. Exercises that help develop endurance.

During the rehabilitation period, massage is allowed. But it is important to understand that immediately after the operation the above medical procedure is prohibited if the tissue rupture has been stitched. After all, such manipulation can cause damage to the joint capsule. The shin and thigh area is massaged to improve tissue regeneration processes.

Doctors believe that the best rehabilitation program has been developed in sanatoriums, so they recommend their patients to improve their health there.

The duration of the recovery period depends on the severity of the damage. Additionally, it is important to familiarize yourself with the existing types of surgical intervention for meniscal tears.

Repair of ruptures

If the meniscus is damaged, doctors use the stitching method. The operation is performed using arthroscopy.

Patients stay in the clinic for no more than 2 days in case of surgery. Postoperative therapy lasts no more than 3 weeks. It is important to follow a number of recommendations during the rehabilitation period:

2 days after the operation you can already walk using support. But only a doctor can determine how much walking is permissible. For 21 days after surgery, you should walk with the help of crutches. You should try not to bend your knee. You will need to wear an orthosis for the next month. The doctor already allows you to bend the knee at this stage. After 2 months you can already walk without support. After six months, the doctor may allow you to engage in certain sports.

Complete recovery is quite possible within a year if you follow the recommendations of specialists.

Meniscectomy

Resection of the meniscus is a more gentle type of surgery for the knee, since rehabilitation takes place in a shorter time than in the case of a stitching procedure.

It is necessary to consider how the recovery process after meniscectomy normally proceeds:

On the 3rd day, a series of exercises are performed to prevent muscle atrophy. The complex is developed individually, focusing on the physiological characteristics of each patient, as well as the presence of positive dynamics of clinical symptoms after surgery. Exercises can be adjusted during rehabilitation therapy. At the beginning of the 2nd week, the sutures are removed. Over the next 2 weeks, the knee is subjected to physical activity. During this rehabilitation period, patients use crutches. They are discharged from the hospital, so all treatment procedures must be carried out at home until the painful symptoms completely disappear. After 1.5 months, patients can safely go to work. After 2 months, people are allowed to play sports.

The positive result of the operation and the duration of the rehabilitation period largely depend on the type of surgical intervention chosen, the professionalism of the doctor, the patient’s health condition and his age. Therefore, to avoid disastrous consequences, undergo a thorough diagnostic examination and take a responsible approach to the recovery program after surgery.

A high-tech method of gentle treatment - this is the definition of arthroscopy. Injuries after this procedure are negligible, so healing proceeds quickly. Often, arthroxopia of both the shoulder and knee joints is the starting step on the path to recovery. But returning to the previous state requires following some rules. Your little efforts will help shorten the rehabilitation period.

Stationary period

Recovery after knee arthroscopy depends on how willing you are to follow the doctors’ instructions: follow the motor rules, keep your leg in a high position and apply cold to the joint. If your answer is yes, you will quickly get your knee working again and enjoy life. The speed of recovery of the shoulder and knee joints depends not only on the professionalism of the doctors, the nature of the injury, but also on age, the nature of the work and the time you can devote to the procedures.

Follow the recommendations of doctors and then you will quickly return to an active life

During a hospital stay after knee surgery, meniscus removal, or shoulder arthroscopy, the following procedures are prescribed:

compression garments or elastic bandaging, heparin, anticoagulants - for the prevention of thromboembolic complications; applying cold to the arthroscopy site for 3 days at intervals of 30-40 minutes; the joints should be at rest (can be fixed with an orthotic bandage); lymphatic drainage; light exercise therapy: first - tension in the thigh muscles and weak movements of the ankle and shoulder joints, then - inert movements of the knee.

Outpatient period

dressings of the shoulder, knee, hip joints for 1, 3-4, 7-12 days; anti-inflammatory and vascular drugs; bandaging; cryotherapy; lymphatic drainage; additional fastening of the knee (shoulder joint); physiotherapy; light massage of the knee joint and passive movement of the patella; extension of the knee joint in a supine position; Exercise therapy.
After discharge from the hospital, you must adhere to an outpatient regimen

Depending on the type of surgery performed (removal of the meniscus, treatment of the shoulder or knee joints), different levels of activity are recommended. Walking should be done with a measured load on the affected leg.

Trainings at the initial stage of recovery

Rehabilitation after knee arthroscopy and meniscus removal takes place in several stages. Therefore, the exercises are divided into different degrees of load. All exercises are performed 15 times in 3 approaches, three times a day.

So, week 1-2 is the initial period:

We sit on the floor, stretch out our leg, placing a soft base under the knee. We stretch our toes forward, tense the thigh muscle and press the knee to the base. While sitting, place your leg on a flat surface. We move our foot plastically towards ourselves to the limit. Sitting on the floor, keep your legs raised. Pull your toes (towards you - away from you), loosening and increasing the tension in the muscle.
The Easiest Exercises to Rehabilitate Your Knee

3-6 weeks - the period that moves the joints, exercise therapy:

We develop coordination and increase muscle strength: lying on your back, place a ball on your shins. We bend and straighten our knees. Gently press the ball with your heels. We alternate flexion and extension. Strengthen the calf muscles: standing, keep your feet together, slowly, rise and fall on your toes. A little later, this exercise can be done on a stand so that the heels are lower than the toes. We increase the stability of the leg axis and strengthen the calf muscles: while standing, slowly bend your knees within acceptable limits. The axis of the second leg remains straight. If it is difficult to maintain balance, take support. The main thing is that the knee should be parallel to the thigh and the second toe. This is the position that is considered correct for training to increase the stability of the leg axis.

6-12 weeks - stabilization period:

Strengthen the knee muscles: sitting on a chair, stretch the leg forward, while straightening the knee. Turn your foot slightly away from you and leave it in this position for 1-2 seconds. Bend your knee and slowly lower your leg. We increase the stability of the leg and strengthen the muscles: we stand on a shaky plane, first on two, then on one leg. To make it more difficult, add free movements with your hands. We strengthen the muscles of the thighs and legs and increase their stability: lying on your back, put your feet hip-width apart and rise on your toes. Tightening the gluteal muscles, we raise the pelvis above the floor to such an extent that the upper torso and thighs are in line. Extend your leg, keeping your thighs parallel.

Recovery after meniscus resection

This is what a meniscus tear looks like and only meniscus resection will help you

Meniscal resection (as opposed to shoulder arthroscopy) is a major operation. Therefore, restoration must be carried out with special care and precision. So, here's what the exercises look like immediately after arthroscopy (all done for 10 sets with a 10-second break):

Lying or sitting on the bed, we strain the quadriceps muscle so that the kneecap is pulled up. Your toes should point upward. The position is held for 10 seconds. In the same position, we strain the back of the thigh as if you want to bend your leg. Hold for 10 seconds. Turn your leg to the side by 20-30 centimeters, lifting your heel.

If the exercises after meniscus resection are successful, the doctor may advise you to carefully bend the leg at the knee and prescribe new exercises:

On the bed, sitting or lying down, lift the heel of the sore leg towards you. Hold the position for 5 seconds. Repeat - 30 approaches. We place a base or a ball under the knee, raise the shin, straightening the leg as far as possible. Hold for 5-10 seconds. We do 30 approaches. Sitting down, we hang our leg and, weakening the femoral muscle, gradually bend it at the knee. We do it slowly. We do it 30 times. We stand up, leaning on the back of the chair. Bend the leg at the knee. The knee, feet and hip should be pointing forward. Without changing the position, we slowly return the leg to the starting position. We do it 10 times.

Here, in principle, are all the simple but productive exercises after meniscus resection, which will help rehabilitate the functions of the knee and strengthen the muscle. It is recommended, as for restoring the shoulder joint, to do such exercises 5-8 times a day.

During the training period, slight pain may be felt - these are damaged muscles. If it becomes strong, you need to consult a doctor.

The goal of knee, hip, and shoulder arthroscopy or meniscus resection is to get you back to your normal life. Therefore, it is important that the rehabilitation period begins on time and proceeds under the supervision of doctors. Then the function of your joint will be completely restored.

Any surgical intervention aims to restore the functioning of various organs or parts of the body. The knee, despite the fairly high wear resistance and protection of the joint, is quite often subject to injuries and diseases that require surgical correction. The most common surgical methods for treating the knee include reconstructive surgery on the meniscus. An important part of such therapy is rehabilitation, on which the outcome of the operation largely depends.

The role of rehabilitation after surgery

After any surgery to repair a meniscus tear, additional specific treatment is required. In fact, surgery is only one of the stages of knee recovery, after which it is extremely important to choose effective methods of rehabilitation.

Often, immediately after surgical procedures, swelling occurs, as well as severe pain in the operated knee, accompanied by an inflammatory process. This reaction is explained by damage to nerve endings and blood vessels during injury or during surgery. Pain and swelling prevent movement of the limb, which is associated with fear or involuntary protection of the joint. As a result, the development of contractures and signs of arthrosis is observed. However, all restoration measures do not bring results.

Therefore, proper rehabilitation after surgery is so important, which should
  • eliminate swelling and pain;
  • accelerate tissue fusion;
  • normalize the secretion of joint fluid;
  • restore the range of motion abilities of the knee.
Typically, rehabilitation consists of a set of measures, including:

The rehabilitation specialist decides which rehabilitation measures to use based on the type of intervention and the patient’s body’s reaction to the procedures performed.

Activities in the early postoperative period

Typically, early rehabilitation is carried out in the hospital immediately after surgery.

Early recovery has several goals, including:
  • relieving inflammatory reactions;
  • reduction of pain;
  • restoration of damaged tissues;
  • prevention of muscle atrophy and contractures;
  • improvement of local blood supply.

The operated limb is provided with rest for a certain period, for which the knee is immobilized.

To eliminate negative symptoms, medications are used. Doctors prescribe nonsteroidal medications that must be taken until the inflammatory reactions disappear. Injections of analgesics may be used to relieve pain.

If fluid accumulates in a joint, a puncture must be performed to remove the intra-articular pressure that causes pain. To prevent the development of infectious processes, especially after open operations, antibacterial drugs are used.

To restore damaged cartilage tissue, which provoked a meniscus tear, you need to use chondroprotectors. These drugs are prescribed to be taken immediately after surgery with a fairly long period of therapy. There are quite a lot of effective chonroprotectors in the form Teraflexa, Dona, Arthra, Elbona, Chondrolone. However, you need to take such medications for at least 3 months and repeat the courses periodically. Doctors believe that after operations it is better to use injections of chondroprotectors. This will speed up the process of cartilage tissue regeneration.

During this period, you can do absorbable physiotherapeutic procedures. To prevent muscle atrophy, rehabilitators select light exercise therapy exercises. When the joint is immobilized, gymnastics are performed for the muscle tissues of the thigh and foot. Add exercises of impulsive forced contractions of muscle tissue under the splint.

Video

Video - Recovery after meniscus surgery

Activities of the late rehabilitation period

Late rehabilitation begins after the stitches are removed and eliminated, which usually, in the absence of postoperative complications, coincides with discharge from the clinic.

The patient is prescribed to take painkillers if necessary. The course of chondroprotector therapy started at the clinic continues.

Restoration of knee functionality occurs more intensively. Doctors recommend increasing the load on the joint in stages. The volume of physical activity is determined by the appearance of mild pain. This complex should last about 20 minutes and be repeated three times a day. Once the complex is fully mastered and pain disappears, the range of motion of the knee joint is corrected. You can gradually increase the distance and period of walking, introduce exercises with a ball, as well as on exercise machines.

Allowed to practice on:
  • exercise bikes;
  • steppes;
  • stabilizers;
  • leg press;
  • Biodex simulator;
  • with elastic bands or shells;
  • water treadmills.

With permission from doctors, you can move on to play sports and swimming in the pool.

The set of exercises includes:
  • active movements of various types using safety nets;
  • squats with weights;
  • walking with feet rolling backwards;
  • exercises to develop endurance and balance.

Recovery is complemented by massage. It should be borne in mind that after any surgery, as well as if a resection was performed or a tear was stitched, it is prohibited to massage the joint. Such manipulations can cause damage to the joint capsule and incompletely restored tissues. The massage is performed on the lower leg and thigh area. This helps ensure blood flow and accelerate regeneration.

At this stage of rehabilitation, it is advisable to add reflexology, laser and magnetic therapy, and ultrasound procedures. You can make applications with paraffin and ozokerite.

If possible, it is advisable to undergo late rehabilitation in a specialized sanatorium, where all conditions are created for the restoration of the knee after surgery according to special programs under the strict supervision of narrow specialists.

Terms of rehabilitation

The duration of knee joint recovery directly depends on the type of surgery performed to treat the meniscus and the severity of the damage.

Repair of ruptures

If it happens to the meniscus, then in most cases it is eliminated by stitching. This operation is performed arthroscopically. The patient stays in the clinic for no more than a couple of days during arthroscopy. Outpatient treatment can last from a week to three.

A favorable outcome of surgery to repair a rupture depends on compliance with rehabilitation recommendations,

which is built according to a certain scheme:

Meniscectomy

If meniscus resection was performed, rehabilitation is surprisingly faster than repairing a stitched tear.

The phased terms, of course, are regulated by the doctor.

But on average they correspond to accepted standards:

  1. From the third day, available exercises begin to be performed to prevent contractures and muscle atrophy. The complex is developed individually and is constantly adjusted.
  2. On the eighth day the sutures are removed.
  3. Until the end of the third week, the knee is not loaded, and movement is carried out with the help of crutches.
  4. After this, the patient is discharged and rehabilitation continues at home.
  5. On average, the operated patient can begin work in the fifth to seventh week.
  6. After a couple of months, or at most three, you are allowed to play sports.

The timing of complete recovery may vary due to non-compliance with rehabilitation recommendations and the occurrence of complications.

Injuries to the knee joints often damage soft tissues and cartilage, which are sutured during surgery. Rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint must take place under the strict supervision of a doctor, otherwise complications may arise in the postoperative period, which will further delay the recovery process. For the period while the victim recovers, sick leave is given, because loss of performance when the lateral external or medial internal meniscus is damaged is inevitable.

Recovery stages

Damage to the knee joints can happen to anyone. A leg injury can occur while riding a bicycle, engaging in hazardous sports, or carelessly moving on slippery or uneven roads. To assess the extent of the disorder and the condition of the damaged joint, a minimally invasive diagnostic arthroscopy is prescribed, after which the doctor diagnoses a meniscus tear and decides what to do next in the current situation. If the cartilage is completely destroyed during a bruise and the stitching procedure does not bring results, the surgeon will prescribe complete removal of the meniscus. This surgical treatment is called meniscectomy. After manipulations on the knee, a recovery period will follow, which is divided into stages.

1-3 week

In the first days after arthroscopy or meniscectomy, the patient will be bothered by pain in the knee and swelling, so immediately after surgery on the knee joint, the doctor will prescribe a course of drug therapy and injections, thanks to which it will be possible to prevent inflammation and other negative consequences. A plaster cast or bandage is applied to the limb for a period of 5-7 days. If the joint is very swollen, it is recommended to apply a cold compress to the affected area daily. The limb will stop hurting faster because the swelling will begin to decrease.

In the absence of postoperative complications, you can gradually increase the walking time.

If surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint does not cause postoperative complications, on days 3-5 you should begin training to restore the functions of the lower extremities. It is important for the patient to start walking a little longer, this will help strengthen the hip muscles. Training muscles and ligaments will also ensure normalization of blood circulation in the affected area, so that the victim can recover faster. Exercises for the meniscus of the knee joint are selected individually by the doctor; physiotherapy and massage are prohibited during this period.

While the initial recovery lasts, the patient is advised to remain in a hospital facility under the supervision of a doctor.

Rehabilitation period at 2 months after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint

Further recovery after surgery of the knee joints is based on the formation of a natural gait, strengthening of muscle tissue, and elimination of contractures. Therefore, light sports, walking, swimming in the pool, massage, and a set of therapeutic exercises for the legs are not prohibited. The disorder heals faster and the risk of complications is reduced if physiotherapeutic procedures are involved. When an implant is installed at the site of the removed meniscus, the rehabilitation period does not change, and the problem will need to be treated according to the same scheme.

Features at 3 months


For complete restoration of cartilage, it is important to drink enough water.

During this period, the restoration of the meniscus and torn ligaments should be completely completed. The limb no longer hurts at all, so you can start playing sports with moderate loads and lead an active life. It is worth paying attention to nutrition, drinking enough liquid, thanks to which cartilage tissue is restored more actively. Rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy should be regular; if necessary, some types of exercises should be adjusted with a trainer.

Rehabilitation for 4-6 months

At this time, rehabilitation after removal of the cartilage is based on continuing to perform a set of exercises to strengthen the muscle corset of the damaged limb. When the knees do not hurt at all and the treatment of the meniscus is effective, light running and squats are allowed, but contact sports should be avoided for the time being if the meniscus is injured. If you are treated under the supervision of a doctor throughout the entire period, negative consequences rarely occur, so after six months the person will be able to return to their normal life.

Physiotherapy and exercise therapy course

If resection of the meniscus was prescribed or the doctor had to completely remove it, then a course of physiotherapeutic procedures immediately after surgical treatment is contraindicated. At this stage, the doctor treats the disorder only with medications. Only 2-3 weeks after cartilage surgery can you begin to use physical therapy. Appointed:


Laser therapy is acceptable several weeks after cartilage resection.
  • electrophoresis;
  • magnetic therapy;
  • mud therapy;
  • laser therapy;

Exercise therapy for knee injuries and gymnastics are indicated already 3-5 days after surgery. If the joint is swollen and hurts for a long time, exercises should be performed carefully, increasing the load gradually and under the supervision of a doctor. It is recommended that the patient wear a knee brace after meniscus surgery; this will help immobilize the limb, allowing for faster healing. As the condition improves, gymnastics should be more active; you are allowed to start swimming and fast walking. And also a set of health-improving exercises should include:

  • squats;
  • walking backwards;
  • chair gymnastics;
  • balance training;
  • jumping;
  • training on an exercise bike.

The meniscus plays a role in absorbing forces and stabilizing the load in a healthy knee joint. Sometimes it can get damaged. As a result, the patient needs surgery. There may be health consequences when removing the meniscus of the knee joint. After this, a period of rehabilitation begins, as a result of which the mobility of the operated leg should be completely restored.

In the knee joint on each leg there are two crescent-shaped fibrocartilaginous formations: on the inner and outer sides. They are resilient, elastic and very durable. Despite their reliability, they can be damaged. There are several reasons for this:

  1. As the body ages, they can wear out, become thinner, and lose strength.
  2. With constant and strong impact on the joints, wear and tear occurs on the bones and the likelihood of damage increases.
  3. An accident can result in very strong impacts that can lead to destruction.

A particularly difficult situation arises when these formations are damaged, but a visit to a doctor occurs after a long time. In this case, the initial condition of the knee may deteriorate significantly. When undergoing surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint, the postoperative period in this case will be very difficult.

Types of operations

Surgery can occur using various methods. Depending on the method of surgery, postoperative rehabilitation occurs differently.

The most gentle way is conservative treatment. It is used in cases where there is hope to cure existing damage.

The following operations can be performed:

  1. The tear can be stitched up. Over time, this may cause the tear to heal. Recovery after meniscus surgery is easier in this case. This is only possible if there is a good blood supply. If this is not the case, then this treatment option will lead to failure.
  2. If there is severe damage for which there is no hope of recovery, complete removal is performed. In this case, a prosthesis is placed in its place.

Surgery can be performed through an incision in the knee. Replacement in this way greatly injures the patient, and rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint requires the greatest effort.

A more gentle method is to use arthroscopic surgery. During the operation, two small incisions are made. An arthroscope, a special device for observing tissue during surgery, is inserted through one of them. Through other surgical instruments, the necessary actions are performed.

Consequences

With any method of surgical intervention, rehabilitation after removal of the meniscus can be divided into the following stages:

  1. Postoperative care in the hospital.
  2. After discharge, a gentle period is necessary to ensure better rehabilitation after meniscus surgery.
  3. Then it is necessary to continue the rehabilitation of the knee, but in a later period, different means are used for this than before.
    If rehabilitation after meniscus surgery was not complete, then in the future it is necessary to do exercises for the sore knee.

At all stages, the patient’s actions must be coordinated with the attending physician.

Rehabilitation goals

During the first time during rehabilitation after removal of the meniscus of the knee joint, the knee needs rest. And only after the patient has recovered a little can we move on to more active methods of rehabilitation.

The recovery procedure can be divided into two stages:

  • early rehabilitation;
  • late stage.

In the first case, exercise therapy after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint is aimed at achieving the following goals:

  1. Anti-inflammatory treatment.
  2. Restoration and normalization of blood circulation in the operated knee.
  3. It is necessary to strengthen the thigh muscles in a gentle manner. This is necessary in order to improve the degree of fixation of the knee.
  4. Taking preventative measures to reduce possible limitation of movement (contracture).

At a later stage, there is a situation when healing has already begun and needs to be supported.

In this case, the following tasks must be solved:

  1. Exercises are necessary after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint to combat contracture if it occurs.
  2. Complete restoration of the functionality of the operated composition.
  3. Normalization of gait.
  4. Well-developed leg muscles can help stabilize the knee. Therefore, their development is an important part of recovery after meniscus surgery.

At this time, not only special gymnastics will be useful, but also some general developmental activities. For example, you can do swimming, walking or cycling.

Carrying out rehabilitation

During the first time after resection of the meniscus of the knee joint for recovery after surgery, exercises should be done very carefully so as not to interfere with healing. You can use the following gymnastics:

  1. To perform the exercise, you need to sit down with a cushion under your heel. Without physical strain, you need to slightly straighten your leg, then put it back in place.
  2. The next movement is done while standing. In this case, the weight must be transferred to the healthy leg. The operated leg is bent and extended at the knee.
  3. While lying down, you need to alternately tense and relax your thigh muscles. At the same time, they do not make any movements.

At the initial stage of recovery, any exercises are carried out only with the permission of the attending physician. If there is bleeding or inflammatory fluid in the operated joint, then performing therapeutic exercises during rehabilitation after surgery on the meniscus of the knee joint is not allowed.
At the late stage of rehabilitation, therapeutic exercises may consist of the following exercises:

  1. You can do the exercise with a ball. You need to stand with your back to the wall and place the ball at the lower back. Leaning back slightly, do squats. The movement is not allowed to be done completely; it is enough to squat down to the bottom until the angle at the knee joint reaches 90 degrees.
  2. An effective exercise for rehabilitation after meniscus removal is walking backwards. The speed should be no more than one and a half kilometers per hour. It is advisable to do the exercise while holding the handrail.
  3. The exercise is performed on a steppe (a special platform for aerobics) or on a step. The height of the obstacle should not exceed 10 centimeters. In this case, you need to step on the step and get off it. It is important not to overstrain the knee. The movements are made slowly and slightly relaxed.
  4. You can use a rubber band. With its help, the healthy leg is tied up, swinging to the side. In this case, they rest on the operated leg. The exercise helps develop the muscles of both legs.
  5. Another exercise for the knee after meniscus surgery is jumping on one leg over a line. In the future, they can be complicated by jumping over a low bench.
  6. In order to confidently perform movements, you need to train your sense of balance. This can be done by practicing on an oscillating platform.
  7. A good way to train your knee is to ride an exercise bike. In order for the training to be more effective, it is necessary that when rotating the pedals at the lowest point, the knees are fully extended.
  8. You can jump sideways, forward or backward. The exercise is performed on a flat surface or by jumping on or off a step.
  9. At the end of the rehabilitation process, you can use running, in which you take additional steps. Walking in water can also be used.

Physiotherapy can be used for recovery. As a result of its impact, blood circulation and metabolism in the area that was operated on will improve.

If the mobility of the leg continues to be limited or swelling is observed, massage will be an effective method of treatment.

When a knee meniscus tear occurs, rehabilitation after surgery may not be completed for several weeks. In severe cases, the procedures will have to be continued for some time.

Conclusion

By performing rehabilitation of the operated knee, in most cases it is possible to achieve complete restoration of its functions.