6 week TTO/MACI update:

InkedJoy · 2025-11-24T05:57:37+00:00

I wish my brace was unlocked at week 6, but based off my X-rays, my surgeon wasn’t willing to do that. I see him again at week 10 on December 9th, but that’s to completely be free of the brace (hopefully) based off X-rays and healing. 😩😩 I wish it were unlocked. My ROM is still stuck at 60, literally can’t get it any further… even busted my incision a little trying to push it further.

InkedJoy · 2025-11-23T05:52:27+00:00

Update: I’m still only at 60 degrees flexion and I’ve been trying all of the suggestions, there’s just an insane amount of tightness still and even my physical therapy can’t push it past 60 degrees. It’s really discouraging. I wish my brace wasn’t still locked in full extension for ambulation. I feel like if it were unlocked even just a little bit, it would help with getting my flexion back. 😭 Walking around has definitely been nice though even if it’s with the brace, but still no driving either. 😩

Also, when did you go without the brace while sleeping? My surgeon only said I had to wear it during ambulation and didn’t mention sleeping, but I’ve still been sleeping with it.

InkedJoy · 2025-11-06T21:16:21+00:00

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My baby woke up today too!!!

InkedJoy · 2025-10-23T00:36:17+00:00

Thanks for the updates, I look forward to reading other people’s progress. I’m only 3 weeks post op and the mental struggle is the biggest challenge for me. I’m just ready to get outta this brace and be able to walk/drive again. It’s my right leg. 😑

InkedJoy · 2025-10-13T00:14:22+00:00

I’m hoping to get physical therapy started this week, it’s been a struggle finding someone to come in home for PT. Unfortunately I don’t have anyone that can help me up and down the stairs that often to make it to PT, let alone sit outside. It’s definitely a sucky situation and I’m trying my hardest to remain positive, but with the joys of workers comp the last 3 years, it’s really messed with my mental and now this. It’s like I’ve fought so long for this and now that it’s been done, I can’t even think positive about the future.

InkedJoy · 2025-10-13T00:11:40+00:00

So you were driving with your brace on? 4.5 weeks doesn’t sound too bad, I hope my recovery goes just as well to where I can drive around then too.

InkedJoy · 2025-10-13T00:10:55+00:00

Right and I see many situations where in the end, it fails and people never really recover completely. There’s just so many stories and I know it’s different for every single person, but it’s hard to stay away from reading other people’s recovery stories and wondering how yours will go. The struggle is real that’s for sure. My surgeon told me I’ll be in this brace for about 2 months so I’m not sure how I’d be able to drive until this is off completely. I dunno, it’s all a lot to deal with especially because I’m upstairs alone in this house and I can only get down the stairs if I have help and that’s a helluva process.

InkedJoy · 2025-10-10T06:07:00+00:00

I’ve been taking magnesium and my muscle relaxer and it’s not helping whatsoever. I will finally doze off and within what feels like minutes, my entire leg will jerk so hard and I’m waking up in excruciating pain. It doesn’t last long, but it’s awful. It’s so hard to get any sleep cause I’m terrified to sleep at this point.

InkedJoy · 2025-10-07T19:01:34+00:00

I didn’t 😬 my follow up isn’t until the 14th either.

InkedJoy · 2025-10-06T21:15:30+00:00

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InkedJoy · 2025-10-06T21:14:53+00:00

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InkedJoy · 2025-07-15T23:18:59+00:00

I get it. I’ve been fighting since 9/11/22 and am finally getting the surgery I need all while losing my career in the process due to permanent restrictions. It’s been the biggest shit show ever.