Knee Arthroscopy

Hi, i had some damaged cartlidge removed 7 weeks ago. I am currently using the bike and pool as ways of exercise aswell as performing squats, and have full ROM in the affected knee. however when i am bending the knee it stil feels stiff in the back of my knee. I have been to see the GP who says it is possible to run now however i am unsure.

I am wanting to know if there is any information on why the stiffness is still there and also when should i expect to be running and playing football again?

THANKS

Hi Daniel

Is the stiffness only behind the knee? is there any swelling behind the knee? Does it feel stiff when you are in a fully squatted position. is it just stiffness that you have or any pain as well?.

Personally I would assess if my patients can complete single leg work on the operated leg - like single leg dips, single leg hops, and double leg jumping just to see how they fair with impact and single leg work before getting them to do light jogging outdoors on grass for a short time. Usually 7 weeks down the line you should be able to start some form of running but again it is dependant upon how you are individually as it is hard to uniformly say yes to everyone who has had your op as everyone is different. If if your apprehensive, start gradually with small exercises like jogging on the spot.

I'd say try and ascertain the cause of that stiffness though before if it is causing you any problems.

HI the stiffness is mainly behind the knee and there is a bit of swelling still in the back of the knee. There is no pain however when doing squats or single leg squats and when impact is put through the knee there is no pain on the affected knee.


Did some light jogging on Monday just to see how it faired and came through very well, no pain when running and no reaction after the short bout of running.


Also what would you say are the best exercises to do in order to strengthen the knee? I have been doing squats, hamstring curls and also box step ups.


Thanks for the time

if there is still some swelling around the joint, it can give the sensation of it feeling stiff when you move it.as with any joint, there are a lot of structures with not a lot of free space, so when there is swelling taking up space where there isnt any, it can feel stiff. im a firm believer of the benefits of ice, even this far down the line you may still have some intrarticular inflammation or swelling so keep icing it.


you may have some muscle tension/stiffness too, so make sure you complete hamstring stretches, static and dynamic as part of your routine, the stretches are just as important as strengthening ex's.

this far post surgery, id recommend doing single leg work, so like your doing single leg squats, single leg balance on/off wobble cushion,quad extensions (double leg),
, single leg dips on affected leg and reaching forward back side to side with the unaffected leg (clockwise circle), if you can do impact, then single leg hops forward/back/side to side, lunges with and without resistance.
if you are running with no adverse affect start doing agility drills such as light jogging forward,backwards,sideways, high knee jumps into a light jog. things like that.


dont forget to strengthen your hip too, so some gluteal strengthening and condition, hip abduction, walking sidewyas with theraband, clam exercises, bridging.

Hi Thanks for the execises they have been working.

how many times a week should i be doing theses exercises and also thinking of trying to kick a football sometime next week. do you think this is advisable?

Thanks for your time