• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Articles
  • Notes
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • Education
    • Shoulder Injuries
    • Knee Injuries
    • Elbow Injuries
  • About
Blog / Articles / Sports Medicine

Knee Surgery: How Long is the Recovery? – Chipper Jones and You

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated April 22, 2012

Do I need meniscus surgery

Knee Arthroscopy – Meniscus Tears and Recovery Time

Chipper Jones plans on returning to the lineup on April 10th… his knee arthroscopy for a meniscus tear was on March 27th as reported by Sports Illustrated. 

One of the most common questions I get in the office in someone contemplating knee surgery for a meniscus tear is: 

How Long Will It Take To Recover From My Knee Surgery? 

or

How Long Will it Take to Recover From My Meniscus Surgery?

Is the fact that Chipper Jones is recovering from his knee arthroscopy quickly unusual?  Not really. 

First, “recovery” is a subjective term.  

“Recovery” can imply:

  • Recovery from anesthesia
  • Being able to walk without a crutch/cane?
  • Being able to return to ‘work”?
  • Being able to jog/exercise
  • Being able to return to “full” activities?
Make sure you communicate clearly to your surgeon exactly what YOU mean by recovery!  
Most patients who undergo an arthroscopy for a meniscus tear ( and have no evidence of arthritis) generally experience a relatively rapid recovery.  

 

Following a “routine” knee arthroscopy for a meniscus tear, most patients are:

  • Walking without a cane in a day or two
  • Off pain medications within a few days
  • back in the gym performing light exercises within 7-10 days, or earlier. 
  • back to full activities within a few weeks to a month.
Hopefully Jeremy Lin experiences an equally rapid return :-) 

Now, the above assumes the piece of meniscus was removed and not sutured  or repaired (then we will limit your activities).  

The above is also for the “typical” patient.  Not all patients are “typical”.  Some will take longer to heal, some will heal quicker. Chipper Jones is obviously following a fairly typical or slightly accelerated course.  Complications may set some patients back too :-(  No surgery is without potential complications and you should review these with your doctor.   Although an arthroscopy is minimally invasive and “simple” or “routine” by Orthopedic standards.  The only truly “simple” or “routine” procedure is a surgical procedure on someone else.  

Suggested Reading:

Meniscus Tears

Jeremy Lin and Meniscus Tears

Categories: Sports Medicine Tags: arthroscopy, Chipper Jones, Jeremy Lin, knee surgery, meniscus, meniscus tear, recovery from knee surgery, recovery from surgery

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

My new book is available now.

“The seven simple steps to make ‘longevity simplified’, will help to improve your metabolic health right now.” – Dr. Neil Meigh

Learn More
Read Reviews

Related Articles

Meniscus Tear - Bucket Handle _ Westchester NY
Meniscal Tears… Jeremy Lin versus the average Joe
meniscus tears in golfers
Meniscus Tears In Golfers
Do I need meniscus surgery
Does a degenerative meniscus tear need surgery?
Do I need meniscus surgery
Meniscus Tears… Why Surgery Isn’t Always Necessary
What Is The Function of a Meniscus ?
root tears of the medial mensicus
Root Tears of Medial Meniscus
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

Book Appointment · About · Contact

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Like what you’re reading?

Get the latest posts in your inbox

Primary Sidebar

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

Book Appointment · About · Contact

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Like what you’re reading?

Get the latest posts in your inbox

Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

My new book is available now.

Learn More
Read Reviews

Reader Favorites

  • Batters shoulder posterior labral tear
    Batter’s Shoulder : Posterior Labral Tears
  • LEg exercises improve longevity
    Runners require strength too: What to do and when to do it
  • calcific tendonitis and severe shoulder pain
    Why Does My Shoulder Hurt So Much?
  • lactate polarized training
    Lactate, the lactate shuttle, and lactate threshold workouts in polarized training
  • Zone 2 heart rate training
    Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance
  • knee swelling
    Pain In The Front Of The Knee: 6 Common Causes
  • Polarized training for runners
    Polarized training for everyday runners: Part 1
  • Exercise is more important than ever
    Does Exercise Cause Osteoarthritis?

Howard J Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Phone: (914)-559-1900
Book Appointment

Pages

  • About
  • Upcoming Books
  • Testimonials
  • In The News
  • Media Photos
  • Contact

Topics

  • Shoulder
  • Knee
  • Elbow
  • Metabolic Health
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Training

More

  • COVID
  • Ankle
  • Hip
  • PRP
  • Running
  • Sports Medicine
  • Articles
  • Notes
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • Education
  • About

© 2023 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.