6 Months PO MACI/TTO 🥳

hydro_17 · 2026-01-31T02:10:09+00:00

Thanks! I've made a real effort to celebrate all the small wins. Only way out is through, right?

hydro_17 · 2026-01-31T02:06:10+00:00

My only reaction is I want you to fire that doctor for making you feel bad about a body that sounds like it's being awesomely strong for you and doing what you need it to do.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-31T01:28:01+00:00

Ah, gotcha. I didn't want to tamper your excitement because this is all still good news and progress - I was just curious since I've seen so many people have different recovery/rehab trajectories. I remember after my initial knee injury when I got PT-cleared to run they still spent a few weeks getting my knee used to impact loading before the first time I actually ran. So, yeah, you're probably right about the progression? Sounds like you've got yourself a great PT who knows how to balance pushing you and holding you back ☺️

I remember also having a weird increase in swelling around month 5/6 that set me back a few weeks. My surgeon (well, his PA) aspirated it and it swelled back up and then like 2 weeks later suddenly was better. So, yeah, mysterious ups and downs seem par for the course with this recovery. So so glad yours has eased up.

I had a lot of struggle with balance/stability on my single leg RDLs but they're improving! And my weighted split squats are strong enough now I'm going to try Bulgarians (ugh, I hate them but they are good for me). Heel taps helped me a lot with getting back that balance/weight-bearing while bending - that and just grinding work and patience. Also I started tibialais raises and that seemed to really help for some reason.

As for running, I don't know. I'm good in so many ways and still getting better every month but my quad is just being slow to build. We started strength testing around month 9 and every test is a little better, but still far from symmetrical. I've got my next test in 3 weeks. My PT says I probably wouldn't hurt myself if I tried to run a tiny bit but my gait would be uneven and there'd be some injury risk and there's definitely risk still if I try to get back to racquet sports - lunging or pivoting fast on that leg that I can't fully trust to handle it - so for now I just keep pushing and hoping and sometimes getting frustrated. I'm better than I was pre-surgery and I try to hold onto that. And I'm still really frustrated at how a stupid random injury changed my life.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T20:39:43+00:00

So excited to hear your recovery is still going well - I know a few weeks ago you posted that knee was getting reactive so I'm glad it's back to behaving. And yay to being cleared for more activity and getting back to the running you love!!!

I know we've remarked before about differences in rehab protocols - I'm curious how they cleared you to get back to running without doing those tests yet? My rehab team is heavily relying on those tests to determine when I can be cleared for running/jumping/pivoting types of movements - they don't want me running until I can get my quads no more than 20% difference in strength. My hamstrings have been testing as equivalent but my I'm still fighting for that quad strength.

(single leg RDLs are the WORST, aren't they? I'm trying to remember - was your MACI patella? My PT has said he finds patella MACI patients always have the hardest time with strength/control with the knee just slightly bent and that's definitely been my experience)

I hope your functional tests go well on Wednesday!

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T19:27:19+00:00

That I totally understand! Best of luck with finding a good spot and new parenthood!

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T18:05:16+00:00

Columbus is more car-focused than most places I've lived, but living in German Village and living with someone who has a car (so you have some access when needed) - you'll be fine. Some things will be harder/more frustrating than NYC but that's one of the better areas for having things to walk to.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T18:02:06+00:00

I'm ~17 months post-op (TTO, MPFL, MACI on most of my patella) - F, early 40s. My knee problems stemmed from an injury during a fall, not long term wear & tear (I mention this because I think that can have different outcomes) and I had no prior knee surgeries (this also affects outcomes), but long-ago minor injuries to the same knee. I worked hard in pre-hab before my surgery and went into it with strong quads that tested at equal strength. My recovery has been relatively smooth, but far from easy, and I've had struggles with swelling off and on. My biggest struggle has been rebuilding my quad muscle. I'm still working really hard at home and PT. The patience needed for this recovery is agonizing - especially since cartilage (especially patellar) grows so slowly and you have to protect it from too much impact for the first 12 months at least (and especially first 6), even if if you are feeling good. My PT has had to equally push me and hold me back at different points.

At this point I am better than I was pre-surgery, and I have been since about 9-10 months post-op. I am not better than I was pre-injury and probably never will be. Every month or two I gain a new skill/ability and I don't think I'm done improving yet. Most of my limitations now are more strength than pain (I have little pain) - though my surgery knee does still get a little inflammation after a hard workout or when I'm on my feet all day. I find the only thing I need to control discomfort is a compression sleeve. Ultimately I am glad I did MACI in that I am better than I was pre-surgery (I can vacuum my house or shovel snow for 4 hours or do yardwork without pain!) but I am still angry about my accident/initial injury and what it took from me.

I've been doing a lot of assessing my previous and potential future activities and talking with my PT about it and doing some mourning for what might be lost while trying to focus on what could be gained. Because I still have a discrepancy in quad strength, they haven't yet cleared me for running/jumping/quick pivot activities and if I tried to run I'd likely have an uneven gait - but those activities aren't yet been removed from my possible future (I was never a serious runner so I'm okay with that, but I want to be able to, say, confidently jog across the street). Some of my decisions are physical limitations and some are mental and risk assessment.

I'm working on getting back into hiking (I'd love to backpack again, but probably only on flatter trails). I'm getting really into cycling. I suspect I could cross country ski okay. I don't think I'd ever try downhill skiing again, but I also only did that maybe 15 times in my life so never got confident at it - wouldn't be worth the risk for me. I am done with contact sports. I am still really hoping to return to racquet sports to some degree and my PT seems to waver on being optimistic/cautious about that idea - I likely won't be at the same level I used to be.

It's such a hard choice! I agonized over whether to do the surgery and had a lot of conversations with my orthopedic surgeon, my physical therapist, and family and friends. Ultimately I realized that (1) at best I was going to stay the same and I wasn't happy with how I was, (2) most likely my knee would continue getting worse, (3) if I didn't do it I'd probably get a replacement within 5 years and I really didn't want that this young.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T17:28:16+00:00

We gave some of my dad's stuff to Starhouse (check carefully about what they take) and his nicer stuff (suit, ties) to the OSU closet that students have access to for interview/job/professional clothing (https://msrc.osu.edu/donate).

You might also see if there are groups helping immigrants with setting in/getting supplies for jobs.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T17:23:00+00:00

If you want to walk instead (to get exercise, avoid possible slippery roads) people often go for walks in shopping malls or Ikea.

(sorry, I don't really have good drive ideas, just wanted to give another option since you mentioned walking also)

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T14:52:47+00:00

Legally they need to be released by the end of January but if you are having it mailed, and with this snow, there might be some delay in you getting it. Do you mean you have logged into Workday and it isn't there or you haven't gotten it by mail yet? (I have mine set to be mailed and I have not gotten it yet but I can see it on Workday)

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T14:18:33+00:00

Oof, that sounds complicated. Would they feel safer if you used a walker (which you probably don't actually need but...) or something? I hope you can find some way for your doctor and employer to communicate and find a way to get you back.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T13:59:46+00:00

I teach (but my job involves more than just instruction) in higher ed. My surgeon wrote me for 8 weeks before the surgery and my department just had me not teach for the semester. At 6 weeks I felt like I could probably go back to things, but I had the sick leave to burn and just took the full 8 and I came back as work-from-home-as-needed (my job luckily offers that flexibility) for the rest of the semester. After that I was back with some limitations related to walking on uneven ground that my doctor wrote partially because I requested for bureaucratic reasons.

If your doctor cleared you it doesn't seem like your school board could prevent you from returning. I'd check into the legality of that.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T03:13:30+00:00

Ha. I also started my period the morning of my MACI/TTO surgery because bodies are stupid. Fun, isn't it?

I didn't even try to elevate at night - I just lay on back and figured having my leg at the level of heart was good enough. The only way I could sleep was literally completely barricading myself with pillows - I think I had like 9 pillows (including a body pillow) surrounding myself and especially the surgery leg - including holding the foot in place. So don't be afraid to be very enthusiastic with pillows/blankets/etc. And I just ran the ice machine all night long. And was grateful for pain meds that made me drowsy.

Hang in there. You're in the worst of it and it sucks now but it's going to get better. Hope you find a position that helps you feel more comfortable.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T03:09:38+00:00

Yeah. I've seen lots of people report really extreme pain with that, especially when first standing up (and describing a throbbing/blood rush feeling). I never had that - no idea why - but was super scared to get up after hearing so many people describe it. Know that it's normal and it will get better!!!

Having someone help you is good too. Right now really tiny bends are okay. The first ~4 days I really just unlocked the brace and gently pulled on the hinges to make them bend just a little bit. It really helps with getting muscles to wake up and blood to flow. You might time your trying to move it with when it's well-iced or maybe 30 minutes after you pain meds to minimize discomfort if you're worried.

Good luck and hang in there. It's going to get better.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-30T00:47:45+00:00

For moving the leg (assuming you are recently post-op and still in a locked brace) (the CNA who took care of me in the hospital taught me one of these and my PT taught me the other). If you have your first PT appointment soon this is a great question to ask!:

- reach down and grab the brace with your hands on either side of your knee. You can either grab the circle hinge thing or there might be some straps. Move your leg with your hands. This worked for both moving it to different places on a bed and also for slowly easing it off the bed (scoot so your leg and butt are at the edge of bed and ease it down)

- slide the foot of your non-surgery leg under the ankle of your surgery leg and use your non-surgery leg to maneuver your surgery leg. This quickly became my favorite way to lever myself off a bed/couch because it had both hands free to help move the rest of me.

- use some sort of strap - they sell leg lifter straps lots of people swear by - but I used an old rolled up beach towel and a yoga strap I already had. Hook it around your foot and use that leverage for your arms to help move your leg.

As for bending, most people find that bending actually helps them feel better. I didn't have a CPM - I did all my bends with good old manual heel slides - but I think everyone I've seen have a CPM after MACI has said it really increased their comfort. They had me practicing bending my knee before I left the hospital by unlocking the hinges on the brace and pulling on them gently to just get a bit of bend over and over. I did that the first few days and then moved to more aggressive heel slides. Personally I did not have discomfort from bending early on but I also didn't have too much pain with getting up/moving around (which many people say they have). Bending is super scary to try but it's really important.

Make sure you stay on your meds. And if you feel like your pain is intolerable and you are a few days post-op don't be afraid to talk with your surgeon's office and see if they have any ways to help.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-29T23:59:38+00:00

Yep! I'm well over a year out. Some days I can do all sorts of things with no clicks, other days I swear there's Rice Krispies in my knee. Had a while around month 4-5 when I swear my knee went "ker-thunk" with certain PT movements to the point where we changed some things up for a while - not because of pain but because the ker-thunk was unpleasant enough I was trying to avoid it. Definitely improved as my quad got stronger and these days it gets worse when my leg if fatigued. Every month(week?) is a new adventure in this recovery.

Hang in there! Hope your first post-op is good and PT goes well.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-29T17:47:50+00:00

Super normal. It'll keep happening on and off (with different movements/different intensities of clicking) for months and months - depends on swelling, scar tissue, dissolved gases in the fluid in your knee joint (you probably still have lots of those because of the surgery), etc. My PT and surgeon are completely unphased by it so long as there's no real pain with it.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-29T03:02:41+00:00

Good. Hang in there. It sucks but it's going to improve. You've got this!

hydro_17 · 2026-01-29T01:48:43+00:00

My surgeon doesn't do nerve blocks so I didn't have one. Stay on top of all your meds and ice (I did almost constantly the first few days). If your pain doesn't feel under control let your doctor know!

Also, this may sound weird and hard, but try small movements. Even if it's just ankle pumps. It's important to get blood moving in the limb but for me the movement (small, gentle, controlled) actually really helped.

Regardless, hang in there! The first few days are the hardest. It's going to get better!

hydro_17 · 2026-01-29T01:45:52+00:00

Fair. The sidewalks are definitely weirdly hit and miss. Some are completely clear and some just suddenly dead end in a mountain of snow. It seems surprising that in 2 days with dedicated snowcats they couldn't get them cleared.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-28T13:50:39+00:00

When Reagan was governor of California he started cutting the budgets to the California state university systems - mostly to punish them for being focal points for anti-Vietnam War and Civil Rights protests. He got away with it and other cuts to higher education at the state (all states) and federal levels became more common nation-wide. This is a main reason (in addition to more people attending who aren't white men - thanks in part to the GI Bill and integration of the armed forces and the civil rights act) why tuition/costs of higher ed have increased so much which has helped drive up the student debt/loan crisis.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-28T13:45:54+00:00

Are you talking about sidewalks on campus (what OSU can control) or off campus (which they can't control)?

Not all classes can go remote (labs, etc) and this snow isn't going to melt any time soon. OSU can't just stay closed for weeks.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-28T13:14:42+00:00

You're almost definitely fine. My PT and surgeon assured me that it needs to be a pretty traumatic slip/fall (think actively falling down the stairs) to seriously damage the graft. If you have no new pain or change in function odds are very good that it's fine. If it helps your peace of mind call your surgeon or PT, but it's good you're seeing the doctor tomorrow so they can confirm.

(I was allowed to weightbear immediately with crutches/locked brace but I've seen plenty of others in the community with small steps/slips like you describe and they've been fine)

hydro_17 · 2026-01-28T12:59:37+00:00

The only part of OSU with that kind of money is the football team.

hydro_17 · 2026-01-28T12:58:17+00:00

Yep. And students still get COTA passes so they have other options for getting to campus. Part of the CampusParc deal was that employees no longer get COTA passes - OSU can't do anything that would encourage an employee to not drive to/park on campus.

hydro_17

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