If you undergo surgery, your goal is to get back to what you love to do. If you are like most of my readers, that activity involves playing a sport or doing some sort of exercise. After a major surgery, though, you might wonder if it is even possible to return to normal. What exercise, then, can you reasonably expect to do now – and in the future? In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I answer that question about a meniscus surgery of the knee.

Guy asks:
I was literally just about to join the Air Force and tore my meniscus 2 weeks ago. I’m getting surgery in a couple weeks. I have had ACL surgery about 10 years ago, but I was fine up until this injury. After surgery, I’m just hoping I’ll be able to comfortably run 3-4 times a week for the next 4 years. Is this a realistic expectation for many patients after surgery?

The meniscus is the shock absorber in the knee. If you tear one and need surgery, that surgery most likely involves trimming out the torn portion of meniscus.

We know that losing some of that meniscus shock absorber can lead to arthritis many years later. Does that mean that you should avoid sports and repetitive impact to the knee with exercise like jogging?

In this video, I share my thoughts on exercise after these surgeries, the risk of arthritis, and whether you should change your exercise based on that possible risk.

Illustration of meniscus surgery options

Also read:
Ask Dr. Geier – Should you run after meniscus surgery?
Ask Dr. Geier – Return to work after meniscus surgery

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