I found out today that I have to have my cartilage in my right knee reconstructed/replaced. They harvest my the cartilage in my knee, send it to a lab, grow new cartilage and then put it back in. 10 months and 2 surgeries! Shit!
Has anyone been through this before. I am the odd mix of sad and panic.
Thanks:)
that sounds rough.
i had the choice btwn cartilage reconstruction and removal. i opted for removal. so far so good, but it’s only 2 years later. i just couldn’t stand the idea of 3 months w/out putting weight on it (or the thought of moving back in w/my parents, which that would have required!).
what can you do btwn now and the 2nd surgery? bike? swim?
You are having a surgery called ACI. The recovery/rehab from that is very long indeed and extremely important to a good outcome. This is a good site to read up on it.
Thank you for the link. At the moment I can swim and I am about to try and spin on my trainer. The Dr. said no running at all.
I am more worried about the recovery than the operation. The thought of running without pain is so foreign, it’s hard to grasp, but should be worth it.
Thanks again.
Post my crash at IM Canada in 2005 I also had ACI surgery - I had torn 10 sq CM of cart of my R femur - the surgery went well - after arguing with the insurance company - and the rehab is long and slow - post surgery now 18 months I am still not allowed to run - no elliptical either - but I am allowed to bike now and run in the pool so things are moving along well.
My only advice is too really take it easy on weight bearing for the first two weeks - I was too agressive and the swelling and pain needed a trip to the ER an Morphine - my drug of choice.
So patience is the key and not rushing - also post of get strapped into your leg bending machine for as many hours a day as you can.
Good luck and if you wish to contact me further PM me and we can chat.
Graham