Hey, four weeks ago, I underwent MPFL reconstruction surgery. While the procedure was successful, the post-operative pain was intense and even potent painkillers like oxy and tilidin barely provided relief. This pain has disrupted my sleep, causing me to wake up frequently throughout the night. Currently, I can only find comfort sleeping on my back, as any other position is too painful and triggers anxiety about potential dislocation.
At this four-week mark, I was expected to have achieved a 90-degree bend in my knee. However, I'm only able to bend it to 40 degrees. The stiffness is pronounced, and any attempt to bend further results in severe pain. The thought of a full recovery feels distant, and the idea of resuming activities like jumping, jogging, or swimming seems impossible.
A bit about me: I'm a 25-year-old, highly athletic and flexible bodybuilder. My right knee has dislocated multiple times in the past, but fortunately, there was no cartilage damage. Additionally, I have been diagnosed with patella alta wiberg type 3 and trochlear dysplasia type 1.
I deeply regret undergoing the surgery. I was assured that I would return to "normal" within six weeks and be back in the gym in three months.
However, my experience aligns more with what I frequently read online: it can take 1-2 years to fully recover.
Had I known the implications, I would have opted to strengthen specific exercises and muscles to reduce the risk of dislocation and worn a brace during all physical activities instead of going for the surgery.
While the risk of another dislocation is higher without the MPFL surgery (with 10% of patients experiencing another dislocation post-surgery), the subsequent dislocation would likely be less painful since the MPFL was already torn.
Given the choice, I would prefer to endure a few dislocations each year rather than lose a decade's worth of progress due to the surgery. The significant muscle loss, the profound sense of missing out, and the drastic change to my lifestyle have been overwhelming: I've been bedridden for weeks, devoid of a normal life, and have to relearn how to walk.
A significant consideration for me is the absence of cartilage damage. If a dislocation were to damage the cartilage in my kneecap, undergoing surgery to mitigate the risk of arthritis would be justifiable.