It was so painful I could feel my pulse in my knee, and I couldn't even imagine returning to anything. It was hard enough trying to get to the restroom or take a shower. Dr. Stone had told me I would be back better than before the surgery, but it felt like that was never going to happen. It was an extremely challenging recovery, and there were plenty of bad days. At six months there were more good days than bad, and at one year I had fully returned to sports.
Four years later I still play hard. I play ice-hockey two days a week, ride my bike, hike, ski, train, jog a little (no more than 3 miles), swim, and chase my kids. I'd walk the golf course more if I didn't normally play on the same days as my hockey games, but that will change next season when I move up a level.
I've battled other injuries (my other knee and wrist) that have come from my hard charging, but I have no regrets. As I approach my 40th birthday (next July), I have no plans on slowing down. I'm very thankful that Dr. Stone put me back together, and Trish helped me get that pesky knee to function with the rest of my self-perceived high performance body.
For those of you who are comtemplating this surgery, do your research, understand the procedure and recovery, and only move forward if you are prepared to work harder than you ever have to get back to "normal." I'm aware that there is a supposed shelf-life for MT's, but I didn't have this done so I could sit around doing nothing hoping it would last forever. I know of at least one other person who is still going for it 10 years out! Find a doc you trust, a PT you trust even more, and have a plan in place for the rest of your life since things won't be normal for awhile.
For those who find this board after your surgery, I hope it helps to know what can be. Understand it was not all wine and roses, and that the road to recovery is long and not always filled with joy. Welcome to the small fraternity of MT recipients, and good luck. I'm more than happy to speak with any of you during your rehab...just send me a message.
So in the end, my Christmas present, my new knee in 2007, has been my best present ever. Good luck everyone, and Merry Christmas.
FOUR YEARS BABY!
Rich, I've read your blog for the last year and a half. I was in a really bad accident that disabled me for a 18 months. I had the first set of surgeries in July 2010. I had graphs, cadaver parts, and some pins, nuts, bolts & screws. I did 2 months of recovery, and went on a transplant list due to the total instability in my right leg. I had the transplant done in November 2010. I was able to return to teaching school in Sept 2011. I still have major issues with my body and my R knee is not totally back to my yoga doing normal, which I'm told it will never be. I am constantly learning about my body and how it all works. I was a runner & combat kick boxing instructor in my spare time before my accident. I won't be returning to those again, but I am working on other activities to fill those spots.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your full recovery and obvious improvements. Reading your blog gives me a little hope. I keep looking forward to getting pieces of my life back. It is encouraging when I hear how well you are doing. Thank you for sharing! =0}
Glad to hear that you are going strong after 4 years! I am having a lateral meniscus transplant at the end of this month. I'm hoping that my young age (24) and my otherwise good health will allow this transplant to be successful and to last for years to come.
ReplyDeleteIs there any advice that you could offer me in regards to rehab? P
Hippie Gal. I'm so sorry to hear about your accident. I think it's so healthy to try and find other outlets to remain athletic. I found hockey by accident (my daughter's field trip), and it has been a great deal for me. I had a little hiccup with my wrist, but I'm back to playing every week. As you get closer to your surgery, feel free to message me with any questions.
ReplyDelete@Joe - I prehabbed like crazy, and I had an awesome PT I trusted from day 1 in Trish, and a local guy who was great too. I was religious in my rehab, and did it every day they would allow me (pretty much something 7 days a week for a year). I firmly believe my outcome was a direct result of my dedication to the program prescribe by my doc (and good/lucky healing). PM me if you have any specific questions.
Hello Rich.
ReplyDeleteI am a 25 year old who has just had this surgery done in the uk to my knee. I am 3 weeks post op, I was wondering if you had any tips regarding the rehab.
my email is c0l_buck@hotmail.com
cheers,
Colin
Colin,
ReplyDeleteFollow your doc's rehab routine to the letter. There will be good and bad days, and you'll just have to push through the bad with the knowledge that the good are on the horizon. Email me if you have specific questions.
Good luck and heal fast.
Rich
Hey Rich,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you also had any damage to your articulating surfaces? I only have 25% of my lateral meniscus left, a defect grade four on my lateral condyle and difuse grade one chondrapathy through the whole lateral compartment. I have been trying to manage this for the last 10 years (I originally tore my acl and lat. meniscus during kick-boxing 10 years ago) but it has now got progressively worse (after 4 surgeries where they kept shaving more of the meniscus and also reconstructed the acl).I am now at the point where I am in constant pain while simply standing, let alone doing sports ( I can do some spinning without too much pain but it still hurts). As I have always been very much into sports plus my job requires me to stand a lot ( I am a veterinarian) I am frantically looking for alternatives other than 'live with it' (which I obviously cannot). I was very inspired by your story and Dr Stone but given the long rehab, the presumable high costs (I am in Europe and would need to pay out of pocket) it is something that takes some serious planning while I am still not sure what the outcome might be. I would sign for it immediately if I could just hope for a chance of a recovery like yours but maybe our situation is not completely the same. Either way, thanks in advance, also for your blog - it's hard to find much first hand info in such a detailed manner - and I hope you continue to be so successful with your knee and have many more years of joy.
Francesco,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your situation. My knee was lacking meniscus and had some articular damage to my kneecap. The surgery is rough, and expensive for sure, but I'm almost 5 years out and really happy. I've spoken to lots of people throughout the world regarding this surgery, and only a few have been as good as mine. Feel free to message me anytime if you want to discuss the details.
Regards from California.
Hi Rich,
DeleteThanks for your reply! I would love to discuss the details with you. I am happy to do it here if this is the right forum but if it might be to specific and uninteresting for others then maybe email is better. My email is nutsjel@gmail.com so let me know what is appropriate.
Kind regards
Francesco
Hi Rich,
ReplyDeleteI had a medial meniscus transplant 06/29/2011 along with a distal femoral osteotomy (broke the femur and repaired its allignment that was causing me to repeatedly tear my meniscus), I then had repeat surgery 6 weeks ago on my femur due to the fracture not healing....
I am still experiencing a great deal of pain in the meniscus transplant area that has still caused me to need pain Meds to deal with it. I am off crutches for the most part, I ride my bike at least 3x weekly and do all the leg lifts, quad stuff, etc etc that my PT has told me to do, yet the pain has just not subsided....did/do you experience any of this kind of pain? It's right at the top of the tibia on the medial side....constant swelling and pain....at times, I really regret having this surgery as the pain is more now then it was prior....
Do you have any insight as to your outcome and how long it took for you to really feel better? I am so ready to be able to go for a long walk, or even go grocery shopping without extreme pain.....reading your blog has been great! I wish you well! Take care...
Hi Tara,
DeleteI am sorry you are going through this.
I to had an osteotomy to correct my allignment.
Do ou know if your surgeon used the plate and screw method or the plastic wedge?
If the plate and screw method was used your pain ay be due to the hardware. I have read about several people having to go back and have the surgeon remove the plate and screws around 1 year post op to relieve pain like you are describing.
I hope you feel better soon and best of luck!
Tara,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delay in responding. My knee took a full six months to feel somewhat normal, and a year before I wasn't thinking about it anymore. Are you really still on crutches more than a year later? PM me and I'll give you more specific information by email.
Regards,
Rich
Hi Rich,
ReplyDeleteI am Having my medial meniscus transplant on October 2nd. It has taken me a little over a year, 6 surgeries including a High Tibial Osteotomy to get to this point!
I found your information very helpful and informative.
Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to explain and share this!
Thanks
Richard K
Hope your surgery and healing went well. Probably just losing the limp now. Good luck Richard!
DeleteHi Rich, knee is feelinga lot better. The only negative is the nerve damage I know have due to the surgery. It is a long and grueling recovery. I thought the osteotomy was painful, this was much worse for me! Again thanks for all the information you provided on this procedure.
ReplyDeleteI will update again in a couple months.
Regards,
Richard K
My right shin never recovered feeling...its pretty numb. Weird, but it doesn't' really effect me except I have scraped it a few times without knowing.
DeleteGood luck Richard...I'm cheering for you.
Rich
ReplyDeleteI'm 6-weeks out from my meniscus transplant. Have some questions/concerns and would love to correspond with you in some way if you have the time. I've logged in through my wife's email since I don't have gmail. Look forward to hearing from you!
Mike
Spokane, WA
mjsokoloff@hotmail.com
What do you think of casino - Dr.MCD
ReplyDeleteThis 논산 출장샵 is 김천 출장마사지 a pretty common table game. 원주 출장안마 It is a great place to play with dice, slot machine games, and 상주 출장마사지 lottery games. A great place 경주 출장마사지 to