In this episode of the Rehabe Exercise and Sports Therapy (REST) Podcast, Dan welcomes Airelle Giordano, PT, DPT — Director of the University of Delaware PT Clinic and President of the AASPT.
Meniscal injuries are among the most common yet misunderstood knee conditions in sports medicine. Airelle breaks down the newest international consensus on meniscal injuries and rehabilitation. She explains why different tear types matter, how conservative management compares to surgical intervention, and what clinicians should prioritize in both early- and late-stage rehabilitation. From root tears to degenerative pathology, she offers practical, evidence-based insights that will help clinicians make more informed decisions and guide patients toward better outcomes.
Time-Coded Breakdown
00:00 – Intro & welcome
00:17 – About Dr. Airelle Giordano & her roles
01:45 – Overview of the international meniscus consensus project
04:30 – Why consensus statements take so long
06:15 – Meniscus vs ACL: why meniscus injuries are misunderstood
07:50 – Need for better surgical reporting & communication to PTs
09:20 – Tear types that matter most (stable vs complex)
10:50 – Ramp lesions: what they are & why they’re missed
13:25 – Root tears & mechanical consequences
15:10 – Medial vs lateral meniscus: are outcomes different?
18:20 – Conservative vs surgical management considerations
20:40 – When waiting too long becomes a problem
22:35 – Degenerative tears & the 6-month conservative care recommendation
25:00 – Rehab focus for degenerative vs traumatic tears
28:15 – Why persistent swelling after meniscectomy is common
31:10 – Post-op rehab principles & criterion-based progressions
33:00 – Weight-bearing restrictions based on tear type
36:30 – BFR & early-stage strengthening considerations
39:30 – Why ROM beyond 90° is restricted early
41:20 – Return-to-sport: loading, lateral movement, pivoting
45:00 – Hamstring contraction precautions
51:00 – Advice for managing arthrofibrosis risk
55:00 – Dr. Giordano’s current projects at the University of Delaware
56:45 – Personal interests & closing remarks
Follow Airelle Giordano:
- X: @AirelleGiordano
- IG: @airellehunter
- LinkedIn: Airelle O Hunter-Giordano