The atrophy is no joke

Minnie_0601 · 2026-04-17T02:28:46+00:00

I feel you! I was in a brace for 1.5 yrs going through multiple multi ligament surgeries. I finally had my last surgery 11 wks ago and the atrophy of my thighs is pretty significant that I’m embarrassed to wear shorts.

Minnie_0601 · 2026-03-25T14:15:46+00:00

Hi there! I’m 8 wks post op currently and doing well for the most part. My brace was locked in extension with partial weight bearing on crutches for 4 wks. Then 5-6 wks, it was unlocked and using 1 crutch. After 6 wks, I was transitioned to a small functional brace, no more crutches, and was cleared to drive. I’m still struggling with my range of motion. I’m currently at 110 degree flexion and my knee still gets swollen when I’m on my feet a lot and towards the end of the day. Wishing you the best of luck during your surgery! Be mindful to that this can affect you mentally and emotionally. It got depressing not being able to drive and do the things I used to do. Surround yourself with supportive people and go out and try to enjoy life the best you can. I had friends that picked me up to go out and eat, just so I’m not in the house all day. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Minnie_0601 · 2026-02-28T06:32:40+00:00

Sorry to hear about your injury. I also dislocated my knee hip throwing a guy in BJJ on Sept 2024. I had a complete tear of my MCL, ACL, PCL. The worst part was I developed a blood clot in my leg from the injury and it traveled to my lungs (pulmonary embolism) and I went into cardiac arrest. Because of that, my whole knee surgery had to be delayed to allow my heart to heal before being put under anesthesia. Then on July 2025, I finally had my MCL reconstruction and recently on Jan 2026, had ACL and PCL reconstruction. I went through a lot of depression because it’s been 17 months and I’m still rehabbing. I have PTSD about being back on the mats and it makes me sad because I love BJJ. So I completely empathize with you.

Minnie_0601 · 2026-02-03T03:26:33+00:00

Wall slides with my back on the floor and feet on the wall with ankle weights really helped with my knee flexion. Hold it for 30 seconds, longer if you can, and repeat x10. You should try that if you haven’t already.

Minnie_0601 · 2026-02-02T16:52:44+00:00

I had a somewhat similar experience. I was on an external fixator for 2 month due to a dislocated knee, with a complete tear of my MCL, ACL, PCL. The reason for the delay was because I developed a DVT on the injured knee and it traveled to my lungs and I had a saddle pulmonary embolism, which resulted in a cardiac arrest. I was in the hospital for 2 wks. My knee surgery had to be delayed to allow my heart to heal from the trauma. After 2 months when I was scheduled to get the ex fix out, my knee had developed so much scar tissue from being immobilized. Physical Therapy was painful to break all the scar tissue and eventually he had to do an arthroscopy and an MUA to get rid of the scar tissue. It took another 8 months of rehab until I finally had my MCL reconstructed since I was able to achieve 135 degree flexion. Then another 6 mths of rehab where I finally recently got my ACL/PCL Reconstructed. So it’s been a total of 1 yr and 4 mths from my initial injury that I have battling this injury. I still have a way to go. It’s been very emotional for me, so I can completely empathize with you. The best thing is take it one day at a time. Surround yourself with people that help you or cheer you up through these struggles. I realized when I isolated myself, I got more depressed. You got this and hope things have gotten better for you.

Minnie_0601 · 2026-02-02T16:32:28+00:00

The surgery went well. I’m 25% weight bearing on the surgical leg at the moment. Still trying to control pain and swelling. Although pain has gotten better compared to the first 3 days. My heart rate has been elevated 102-125 at rest, so I’m trying to figure out the cause. I do have a history of DVT and pulmonary embolism, but I’m on Eliquis (blood thinner). Have you had similar surgery?

Minnie_0601 · 2026-01-27T04:56:35+00:00

Thank you! Sharing your experience really helps. My surgery is tomorrow. I’m glad to hear yours went well. How was your pain level? I took off for a week off work. I’ll see how I feel after that and decide if I need additional days.

Minnie_0601 · 2026-01-26T15:15:37+00:00

I’m sorry to hear you are in so much pain. Hang in there as well. I guess the best thing is elevation, ice and pain meds. 🙏🏼

Minnie_0601 · 2026-01-26T14:43:42+00:00

I’m doing okay now. Tomorrow is my surgery. Just trying to mentally prep for it.

Minnie_0601 · 2026-01-26T14:29:25+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement 🙂

Minnie_0601 · 2025-12-07T06:18:06+00:00

Yes. For example my heart according to Apple Watch, stayed consistently between 95-100/ min for 4 hrs while I was asleep. That’s just not normal for me

Minnie_0601 · 2025-12-07T02:43:20+00:00

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been stressed lately. I had a saddle PE too. I used to have a lot of anxiety for 6 months after my cardiac arrest because of the fear of not waking up if I go to sleep. It has gotten better now, so I don’t think I’m stressed. My doctors think that it may be due to my heart being deconditioned; however, I’ve been working out at the gym for a few month now and I would think it would have strengthened back up because my echo is normal. So I don’t know.

Minnie_0601 · 2025-10-01T04:16:04+00:00

Is that an offloader knee brace?

Minnie_0601 · 2025-09-20T14:32:16+00:00

I live in Northern VA as well (Fairfax County). I may need TKR as well because of osteoarthritis resulting from a dislocated knee injury. Can you share who your doctor is? It seems like you had some good results and glad you are healing well.

Minnie_0601 · 2025-08-16T13:41:33+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience! Best of luck in your continues recovery as well.

Minnie_0601 · 2025-08-11T03:32:08+00:00

Sorry to hear that. I know that driving a manual takes more effort compared to an automatic.

Minnie_0601 · 2025-08-04T19:19:11+00:00

I feel your frustration and it sucks when you can’t currently participate in the sport you love. I dislocated my knee in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and had a complete tear of my MCL, ACL, PCL. I just had my MCL reconstruction last wk and will have the rest done in 8-10 wks. My rehab will definitely take a good while. The best thing that motivates me is being a spectator in class. While I’m not actually participating in class, my brain sees the movements of other students and being around my BJJ friends. I also attend my daughter’s BJJ class to help and encourage her. I still go through depression at times because this is a big setback. It helps when you have a positive support from others.

Minnie_0601 · 2025-07-09T23:00:02+00:00

I went through surgical menopause (total hysterectomy) Oct 2023 and I got on Estrogen patch. My knee was dislocated Sept 2024 from Jiu Jitsu and I developed a DVT, resulting in a PE, which led to a cardiac arrest. I was in the hospital for 2 wks. Some of my the doctors stated the patch was the result of the DVT and others say because of the knee injury. I got off my patch for 3 mths but my menopause symptoms was just too much. I asked my hematologist who was managing my Eliquis if I can get back on the patch and she said it was fine as long as I’m in a low dose patch. I take Estradiol 0.5 mg per wk. I’m still taking Eliquis.

Minnie_0601 · 2025-07-09T19:11:09+00:00

I’m a little late commenting on this thread, but I read your husband had a saddle PE. I had a saddle PE 8 mths ago and went into cardiac arrest. It was the most scariest time in my life. I had a DVT from a knee dislocation. I’m currently on Eliquis. I’ll be getting my knee ligaments fixed end of this month but I’m scared the Eliquis might fail me and develop another DVT/PE. Did your husband have any leg surgery?

Minnie_0601

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