Patient Information – Case Study

Ekta Patel

40 Years Old | Female

🩺 Presenting Complaints

Relevant History:

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction on the same knee 5 years ago

Presenting Complaints

  • Pain and swelling in the left knee
  • Difficulty walking
  • Difficulty climbing stairs
  • Discomfort during weight-bearing activities

Medical Diagnosis

  • Post-operative medial meniscus repair

Assessment & Clinical Challenges

Clinical Findings

  • Localized joint swelling
  • Pain on knee flexion and weight bearing
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Weak quadriceps activation
  • Altered gait pattern (antalgic gait)

Physiotherapy Intervention Plan

Range of Motion (ROM) Restoration

  • Guided knee flexion and extension
  • Patellar mobilizations to prevent stiffness

Strengthening Program

  • Non–weight bearing quadriceps and hamstring strengthening
  • Hip and core stability exercises
  • Progressive strengthening based on healing phase

Gait Rehabilitation

  • Initiated partial weight-bearing gait training
  • Gradually increased weight-bearing
  • Correction of gait deviations

Electrotherapy Applications

  • Pain management
  • Swelling and inflammation reduction

Aquatic Therapy

  • Warm-water exercises for pain relief
  • Early muscle activation in low-impact environment
  • Proprioceptive and balance training
  • Gradual weight-bearing progression

Result Outcomes

Significant reduction in pain and swelling

Improved knee mobility and muscle activation

Safe progression to full weight-bearing

Independent walking without brace achieved within 3 months

Clinical Conclusion

Early physiotherapy intervention combined with structured strengthening, gait training, and aquatic therapy can significantly accelerate recovery following a medial meniscus repair, helping patients return to pain-free, independent mobility.