I have been non-weight bearing since my op just 3 weeks ago and up until now was pleased with progress on both of my knees. Suddenly over the last couple of days my left knee has been giving way and both have been making awful cracking sounds making others around me feel nauseus (let alone myself). Both knees also swell when "cracking" occurs. Am also experiencing a sharp digging pain to the inner side of my right knee which was not there before. No follow up Physio booked until another 2 weeks so keen to get feedback from others who have gone through this. Re-assurances needed, PLEASE !!!

I had knee surgery on February 2, 2007. I was totally non weight bearing for the first six weeks. Walked out of the surgeons office on one crutch. Hopefully, that was not a mistake, no one in the office told me otherwise. The calf of my leg and the ball of my foot hurt more than my knee. I am still using one crutch (weeks seven, eight and nine), I hope to be using only a cane after that. If in fact all is well with the knee, I credit the fact that I was so diligent with icing and putting no weight on the leg for the first six weeks. I wish I had used two crutches for the seventh and eigth weeks, read about that on this website from several patients. I am using a stationary bike, swimming and doing PT on my own (have had knee surgery before) plus it is my right knee this time, so I could not drive to PT during the first six weeks. How long will I walk with a limp and at a snails pace? Thanks for any advice.

I had microfracture on Feb2, 2007 after 1 1/2 years of conservative treatment. Prior to surgery, my knee felt swollen all the time. Post-op, I did PT 3 times a week (I am still doing it now). I have more pain now,but very little swelling.I think that the increase in pain is from muscle atrophy. Each Day I have less pain. Also, I work out in a gym 3-4 times per day. I am limiting weight lifting with my legs for 6 months. I do the elliptical, arc trainer, stair stepper, leg lifts, swiss ball squats and walk stairs. During the intital post-op, I cheated-I did toe touch and walk some on the last week (I had to work in the ED on the 43rd day post-op). I'll keep you posted.

I am a young, 26 year old female who previously weighed in at 300lbs, now five years later I am 130lbs lighter and basically live in the gym. I had horrible knee pain and the MRI showed a torn meniscis so I decided to have surgery. When I woke up, I was told that I had microfracture surgery and was unable to bear weight for 6 weeks. I was heart broken. I had no idea going into surgery that this was even a possibility. Now it has been almost three weeks on crutches. I am miserable, still have limited movement and some swelling and pain. I decided I was sick of the crutches and was going to try to walk and I did for a little bit but then got too scared. I don't want to ever have this surgery again and I want to be able to be back in the gym as soon as possible. Can anyone please give me advise on this? Am I screwed forever now? Is there anything that I can do to ensure that things will be ok? Every blog I read about this type of surgery is negative and never ending.

Hello, 1 year ago I had a bad car accident. My knee cap was forced out of my knee and returned. This process caused many injuries on my knee. Its been a year now, I had surgery and all my internal tissues are fine. Last month my knee started hurting at the top left side of the patella. It turns out that I have a small fracture (about 0.8 mm) right where the muscle connects to the patella. This fracture is loose in my knee and causes me pain when I stretch. Have any ideas of what I should do? doctors recomend surgery. Could you tell me how the pos-surgery recovery is? Has anyone had a similar injury? thanks

I have osteoarthitis and had torn tendon's. Since the pain is constant with any weight bearing, I just ask a OS to do a Total Knee replacement. He wouldn't do it. He said the Microfracture would grown new cartlidge and I would be out of pain. He said a knee replacement was only good for 10 to 15 yrs. I let him do it, I thought I would be out of pain. Well, 10 months later the pain is still the same. He did not have me go to Rehab. I week post op he said for me to only use a cane, mainly so people would be more tolerant of my slower walking. Still 10 months later the swelling is still as bad along with the pain. I believe the OS knew it wouldn't work, and would get repeat business for a knee replacement surgery. He makes out great financially!

I just had my second go around with microfracture surgery. I read a lot of post saying that their surgeons did not provide info for proper rehab. This has been my case as well. A couple of things. Your knee will never be the same as it was. It can't. The cartilage that has deteriorated is being replaced (we hope) with fibro cartilage and it is not the same as Hyaline cartilage. (go here for more info on cartilage: http://prosites-drutledge.homestead.com/connectivetissue/Cartilage/WhatisCartilage.html) Secondly, you need to rehab properly from day one. This is the best link I havefound on rehab and my PT said the Steadman-Hawkins Clinic wrote the book on Microfracture surgery and rehab. (http://www.steadman-hawkins.com/knee_microfracture/recov.asp) Lastly, If you give your body time you be be able to do all the things you did before with a little discomfort. I take Synvisc shots that have helped my knees a lot. There are other products available as well. Good Luck. If you have questions my email is ulticm@yahoo.com

after falling and injuring my knee, I was determined NOT to have surgery. I tried all alternative therapies, cortisone shots, PT, all of it. I finally suscumbed to surgery and my doctor did this procedure without my consent. He mentioned that he may have to do some other things after he sees how much damage was there. I cannot kneel, go up and down steps and have constant pain and numb-ness since. I would not recommend it.

Hello everybody, I had debridement of articular cartilage defects and microfracture done 8 weeks ago (details below). I understand that the rehabiliation is at least as important as the surgery and it is crucial to follow the protocol. I am young and very active and would like to do everything in order to optimize the healing process. My surgery was performed by an experienced surgeon however there is NO FOLLOW UP and only little information about WHAT KIND OF EXERCISES I am allowed to do. I will be off crutches next week and I still don't have a protocol of what I am supposed to do.... DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT PROTOCOLS, EXERCISES, PHYSICAL THERAPY? Or do you know who I can turn to? Details of surgery/diagnosis: Trochlear: Articular Cartilage Defect in the Medial Femoral Condyle global grade ll/ III => debridement Patella: Articular Cartilage Defect global grade ll/ III => debridement Lateral femoral condyle: Articular Cartilage Defects measuring 10x12 mm grade IV => debridement and microfracture Lateral meniscus: Degenerative Meniscus tear with cleavage => Partial menisectomy

I had microfracture on Feb. 2, 2005 and have been very fortunate to have a good OS who got me on a CPM machine (8 hours a day for 6 1/2 weeks) and advised non-weight bearing (crutches) during that time. I've been in PT for 2 1/2 weeks with a therapist who is familiar with the proceedure. The only advice I have is to consult with your OS regarding leg lifts and other strengthening (non-weight bearing) during your time on crutches so you do not expericnece a lot of muscle atrophy-it makes the PT time longer-also find a PT that has some idea of what proceedure you had done so they can design a regemine that works for you. Happy Healing!