title: Return to play following surgical treatment of meniscal and chondral injuries to the knee.
abstract: Much has been written in the sports medicine literature regarding return to competition following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; however, little scientific work has been done regarding the return to competition following meniscal surgery or cartilage surgery. This article reviews the basic science of meniscal surgery and cartilage surgery in an attempt to promote rational rehabilitative protocols rooted in scientific investigation. A twofold approach is used. One approach is from a biologic standpoint; that is, when are the repaired tissues healed enough to withstand physiologic activity? The second approach is from a rehabilitative standpoint; when is the patient strong enough to play without recurrent injury?
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 North Academy Avenue, Danville, PA 17822-2920, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Daniel D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Feldmann
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013178:Sports Medicine; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries