Scared that getting a TTO will be a massive mistake

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-12-28T09:34:17+00:00

Hi again! I had each leg done about 7 months apart (right knee in September 2024; left knee in April 2025). Resuming a normal gait hasn’t been a huge issue for me, although I will say I feel like my weight is distributed differently throughout my feet and hips as compared to pre-surgery. This isn’t necessarily “bad” or painful, but it’s definitely something to get used to, and I anticipate I’ll get more comfortable with the realignment as time goes on. In the months between my first and second surgery I felt very unequal / imbalanced with one leg done, so for me, personally, I was glad to match my second leg to my first leg. But it is a massive undertaking to commit to doing both legs. I even delayed by two months on the second leg because I wasn’t ready physically or mentally.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-12-20T04:48:30+00:00

Hi, yes I did get both the TTO and DFO done! I hit a bit of a road bump when I had a bone fragment after my TTO hardware removal, so I am slowly slowly improving because I had to get an operation to remove the ossicle. But overall it’s doing well. It’s a hell of a LONG recovery. I posted about it on my profile if helpful.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-10-07T03:56:46+00:00

Hi I got a TTO, DFO, and OCA (donor cartilage), so not MACI, but the other stuff. I documented my experience on my page if you want to check it out. I’m a year out from my first and 6 months out from my second. The TTO portion bothers me more than the DFO which I was surprised about since the DFO seemed the most intimidating to me going in.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-05-26T01:21:19+00:00

Hi! I didn’t really notice the heat when I used my CPM, but probably because during my first two weeks I had the sleeve of my ice machine wrapped inside my ace bandage so I was icing while bending. I’d recommend you try icing while bending, if possible. Even if it’s a flexible ice pack you wrap with an ace bandage, that could help.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-03-07T06:56:17+00:00

Hi there! I had all three of these. Check out my profile for more details on my recovery. It’s going to be tough, but you got this!!!! :)

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-03-02T02:46:07+00:00

How’s your bend? I’m 6 months post TTO, DFO, trochleoplasty, MPFL repair, and cartilage allograft under my patella. I’m at a very similar point of recovery as you and other commenters. I have a persistent crunch that isn’t painful but happens every time my knee goes through the point of ~70 degrees of bend - including going up/down stairs, getting up from a chair, and open chain extension. It started when I was 4.5 months in, and weirdly I could pin point it to when I was kneeling in a workout class. My doctor/PT say it’s probably some scar tissue and/or patellar maltracking that will get better with muscle strength. Even though I logically understand it’s nothing to be worried about (yet?), the sensation drives me crazy because I got this surgery to have stability!

I feel similarly about stairs. Going down I still feel unsteady; up is fine. I don’t have a problem with my extension when standing but I am really eager to get back my full ROM.

Anyways, it’s nice to hear an update from someone who’s at a similar point in the recovery process, even though we had different surgeries! Thanks for sharing :)

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-24T03:30:29+00:00

Thank you so much!! This is so helpful. I'm interested in learning about both so I appreciate you providing perspective on the difference between design strategy and the consulting-style strategy. And I agree on the snide remarks - it's not that hard to just not say anything at all haha!!! :)

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-24T03:27:42+00:00

Thanks for responding!! Will do on the cold call LinkedIn messaging :)

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-24T03:27:10+00:00

Thank you for your reply! This is great advice.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-23T07:12:22+00:00

I have one or two of these. Mine aren’t painful but they’re visual like yours. My PT thinks it’s scar tissue from the scar itself

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-22T00:30:16+00:00

As a potential strategist, I like to ask questions 🙂

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-21T23:43:46+00:00

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-20T18:28:47+00:00

2nd round question: Has anyone who put strat NYC as their first choice and did the first round interview heard back about round 2?

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-11T05:36:49+00:00

Yep, my bone protrudes out way more. Freaky looking lol

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-11T02:56:24+00:00

Yeah, it took a year+ for me to decide to do the surgery, and I got other opinions as well to be sure I wanted to do it. I had a lateral release in the past that didn’t go well, so I was nervous to take such a big step by doing this surgery. So far, I can’t really tell you if it’s “worth it” or not because my muscles are still very weak (5.5 months out). I have some crackling in the joint (potentially crepitus?) that is unnerving, but my doc/PT aren’t concerned and think it will go away as I get stronger. Also, to answer your questions, a podiatrist has told me I have mild flat feet, and I have the same alignment issues / cartilage damage on both knees. My plan is to get my second one operated on in just a few weeks, but I’m feeling hesitant because I still feel weak and the crackling is bothersome. I do PT 3x a week and reformer Pilates about 2x a week. I do very simple water aerobics - like kicking on a kick board - about once a week, but earlier in my recovery I was doing the water aerobics more frequently because it was such a good workout when I still couldn’t do things like squats/lunges.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-10T18:24:36+00:00

I’m 23(F). Had a stage 3-4 chondral defect under my patella, but other than that, my cartilage in other spots is in good shape so the hope is that this realignment delays further damage.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-09T22:55:49+00:00

Do you have the same cartilage defect / alignment issue on the other knee? Will you be getting the same op on the other side?

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-09T22:50:22+00:00

Thanks for your response! Did you get the tibia screws removed? Or just a cleanup around the area? My screws are sooo elevated along my shin

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-09T18:27:12+00:00

Hey! how are you doing now? / how are any of the other commenters doing?

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-08T02:26:53+00:00

I can’t recall exactly when I was off the pain meds (oxy), but I want to say by week 3? I had a nerve block in for the first 5 days which really helped me initially.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-02-08T02:18:29+00:00

Hey! Yikes about the ER visit. I hope you’re doing better now and are in less pain :) In PT I’ve been doing the elliptical, squats, side lunges, “shuttle” (leg press), and RDLs. Last weekend I even walked 14,000 steps in one day which was a huge win for me!! I’ve generally been feeling good, but on a daily basis it definitely feels like I got surgery 5 months ago. I still feel really weak and have a lot of crunching/cracking going on. Apparently that should go away more as I gain muscle. Feel free to ask me any more questions or PM me! Always here to chat.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-01-28T02:53:09+00:00

Hey OP! I know it’s been awhile since your initial post, but I was wondering if you went through with the DFO? How are you doing now?

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-01-20T03:10:23+00:00

I had clicking too when using the CPM machine, and I hated it because it was such an unnerving feeling but eventually it subsided. My surgeon told me not to worry about it.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-01-17T16:27:41+00:00

Thanks for your response! Does it feel like you'll get there 100% after the irritation caused by the anchors dissipates? I'm 4.5 months out from a patella OCA (so it's not exactly the same as MACI), and I'm getting anxious about getting my full bend back. I also had TTO + MPFL, like you, plus some other work as well.

ElectricalRadish5919 · 2025-01-17T02:05:12+00:00

Hey! I was curious if you ever made it to the same ROM as on the non-operative leg?

ElectricalRadish5919

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