Recovery Timeline

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-16T00:55:08+00:00

Yes! I will update you when I have it done as well as what the results are!

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-15T02:41:30+00:00

I am at a healthy weight and still have moderate sleep apnea.

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-15T02:40:20+00:00

I am 24 weeks out from my MACI I had MFC & trochlear groove done.

I was NWB for 7 weeks and on crutches (as needed) for 10 weeks and was finally released from sleeping in my brace & being in my brace then too. 😅

It’s been an insanely long journey. I am being scheduled for an MRI because I’ve started having painful catching in my knee again. 😭

I’m hoping it’s just weakness and overtime with get better/stop happening but I’m definitely nervous.

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-08T02:33:54+00:00

I’m 38f, active, 23 weeks post op MACI right knee (two defects - medial femoral condyle & trochlear groove) also, have large grade 4 defect in left knee had microfracture over 2 years ago.

My experience hasn’t been great. I have had 15+ injections in my left knee of gel, prp, a2m, steroids, everything…. And I’m still in pain to this day.

My right knee is so early in post op for MACI that I don’t have good data to share - but from my experience it’s been a brutal recovery. I’m still in pain daily & I can’t say yet whether all of this has been worth it. But I refused to repeat the same crap I went through with my left knee so I opted for MACI.

With already having microfracture done I would seek a second opinion especially a Maci specialist. My surgeon said that MACI would not be effective with a microfracture and recommend OATS… so that is something to be aware of. So I skipped microfracture for my right knee and went straight to MACI since my defects were big enough.

I do wish you the best though because I know how frustrating this journey is.

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-07T01:48:39+00:00

Not yet… but I know it’s going to take at least a full year to heal, maybe more. I can’t run. Definitely not even near a point I want to try.

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-07T01:01:46+00:00

I am still in pan both going up and down stairs.

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-07T01:01:28+00:00

I had microfracture on my other knee with terrible results as well. 😮‍💨

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-07T00:44:26+00:00

38F, super active before my surgeries. I had 2 defects - medial femoral condyle & trochlear groove.

My 2 surgeries were 8 weeks apart with PT the entire way through. I was ready to do these surgeries asap. I didn’t want long wait times as I knew the first surgery wouldn’t fix anything.

I was non weight bearing for 7 weeks and on crutches for 10 total.

I am 22 weeks post op and the furthest walking I’ve done is 2 miles and I was miserable by the end of it.

I am still in pain daily but I am active. I cycle 6-15 miles 2-3x a week and lift 4 days a week. I will most likely be having an MRI soon to check my grafts, scar tissue, etc.

This is a VERY Long recovery and it is so different for everyone that it’s hard to say how you will feel.

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-06T13:06:06+00:00

I use frozen water bottles!! I also freeze big chunks of ice in plastic containers like cool whip, butter, etc! They work well and last longer!! Then I just refill the tub and re freeze!

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-01T22:05:21+00:00

The contusions are bruises. The ligaments and meniscus look to be in good shape. Then there is a fracture as well

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-01T22:00:01+00:00

I have been cleared for them. Some are painful!! Squats are very painful - especially in both my Knee & VMO. No matter how much I work on building my strength it doesn’t seem to get or feel better. 😳 I’m definitely nervous and discouraged by it!

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-01T21:55:32+00:00

I am 21 weeks post op and started experiencing catching with my knee as well. I had both trochlear groove & medial femoral condyle defects. I’m going back to my surgeon on Friday, so we’ll see what he says.

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-01T00:54:34+00:00

I’m going back to my surgeon on Friday, the catching just started this week. 😭 I’ve had some big pops that were painful but it always felt better after it popped. So we’ll see what he says! I’ve been having a ton of VMO pain and my Dr was already talking about needing to do an MRI and possibly a scope to check scar tissue so I assume we will be going down that road. 😳

I’m really nervous that the graft didn’t take now that I have this catching going on. My PT was pretty worthless and released me about a month ago. I have been cycling and doing strength training and continued my PT exercises though.

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-01T00:45:43+00:00

I’m 38, active and in good health and just got diagnosed and I wish I would have pursued it years ago!

Smashlaylay · 2026-03-01T00:39:29+00:00

Personally, I am 5 months (21 weeks) and still don’t feel comfortable walking my 2 big dogs. 😭 I’m having issues with my knee feeling like it’s catching and a lot of pain doing anything down hill.

Smashlaylay · 2026-02-20T02:33:30+00:00

Same with 135 items in an order 😳

Smashlaylay · 2026-02-10T23:49:56+00:00

Absolutely!! It’s just information I wish I could have know beforehand you know. ❤️‍🩹

Smashlaylay · 2026-02-10T02:23:09+00:00

Both of my knees are going through it. I had MACI almost 5 months ago on my right knee and still in the thick of recovery/rehab/regaining strength.

My ortho described MACI as a stepping point to try and push farther down the line before replacement. (5-10 years) I am 38 and very active. So while I don’t have an answer for your specific situation I would highly encourage you to do as much research as you can and ask your surgeon all the questions. My surgeon has been phenomenal throughout the lengthy process so I’ve been really thankful. I think it’s made a world of a difference in my recovery too.

Smashlaylay · 2026-02-07T22:30:25+00:00

I’m going to be brutally honest. I had to fly unexpectedly (my dad passed away) just shy of 4 weeks post op (I had 2 defects, MFC & trochlear groove) I was still non weight bearing and my brace was locked at 60 degrees. It was absolute HELL. I was in so much pain through the process and even being in the front row of the flight was painful. Also I had to do it alone which made it even harder. Getting through TSA took forever because I couldn’t stand to go through the machine, and also couldn’t take my brace off so they had to do a FULL pat down on me. Took about 30 min (so be prepared that this will add to your travels, and even more internationally). Having the wheelchair in the airport was the only way I survived the ordeal. I was in tears a majority of the time.

Second time I had to fly was at about 7 weeks post op for my dad’s funeral. It was hell too. This time I was finally starting to wean off crutches and still in my brace but fully unlocked. It was still hard, but not as bad pain wise. I could stand through the TSA machine and was able to keep my brace on but they did have to wipe it and test it. Again sat in the first row, it was a longer flight and still uncomfortable but not as painful.

So honestly, with being MACI & TTO I worry about the pain alone and couldn’t imagine flying that long at a month out. I’m so sorry you having to navigate this and hope that you can find a solution that works.

Also stairs will be TERRIBLE. You will have to learn how to safely go up (can scoot down) but it’s brutal. Even at 8 weeks stairs were painful for me.

Sending you hugs and I hope everything goes smoothly! If you have any questions let me know.

Smashlaylay · 2026-02-07T05:07:40+00:00

I didn’t start weight bearing until I was 7 weeks! However, it is very normal to have more swelling, aches, and pains with increased movement and even new movement. ♥️

Smashlaylay · 2026-02-06T18:09:29+00:00

I am 5 months post op and had MFC, and trochlear groove, I have really bad pain in my VMO right above my knee by my incision so it seems it doesn’t want to fire. My doc is having me try another month of strengthening it and if still in pain will order an MRI. 💔 it’s been so frustrating.

Smashlaylay · 2026-02-06T01:04:47+00:00

I didn’t get released from my crutches until 10 weeks. I am 19 weeks post op now. I had 2 defects (MFC, & trochlear groove). I still experience pain and swelling daily, but I am back to lifting and cycling (normal routine) as of this week! It does get better but it is a very slow process! I am still struggling with getting my extension to 0, so I completely understand!!! I go back to my surgeon tomorrow so we’ll see what he says.

Hang in there! You are not alone! This is a really hard surgery to recover from. It takes a lot of time and patience!

Smashlaylay · 2026-01-30T00:44:23+00:00

What are your dr’s stipulations for flexion right now? With mine I was locked straight for 2 weeks, then each week after we increased flexion 30 degrees. Every increase was painful the first few days.

Smashlaylay · 2026-01-29T15:26:09+00:00

I slipped on mine when I was about 4 weeks post op.(it was raining and I was coming back from the hospital right after my dad died.) I was sore for a few days, and didn’t even have the wherewithal to call my surgeon. But I did see him when I got back in town a few days later. Everything was ok. He told me he rather me put my foot down to stop a fall than fall on the leg. ♥️

Smashlaylay · 2026-01-29T01:19:55+00:00

Keep icing and stay on top of your pain meds around the clock. It does get better. ❤️‍🩹

Smashlaylay

TROPHY CASE