Big difference between repair and resection.
Repair is fairly uncommon, and only done with certain types of tears in certain locations, and it doesn't always work. Typically has a much longer rehab period, with a lot of babying (b/c you want to give it the best possible chance to work you can). There's bracing and crutches and the whole nine yards. Figure on 4-6 months to get back to "normal", and then beginning a gradual return to running.
Resection/clip or partial meniscectomy has a shorter recovery time--you generally walk out after the procedure, or are walking within a couple of days. Return to sport can be pretty quick--swimming when the sutures are cleared; light spinning as part of the ROM work fairly soon after as well. Pool running soon, too. Land running could be as soon as 2 weeks, but some folks take longer. And, of course, any other work they might do in there will alter things.
I've hoped for a repair many times, but never been eligible. Have had a bunch of partials, the last one resulting in a complete lateral meniscectomy. My rehab time has varied with each procedure.
Diligence in rehab and taking extra time over trying to rush it are the key points to success.
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