ACI and meinscal allograft
In the past 3 years I've had 3 different knee surgeries (as a result of a basketball injuries new and old) and have spent months either in a brace or CPM machine. Since I was only 40 at the time the Dr did not want to do a total replacement so we discussed many options.
The first surgery, was a scope, performend by another ortho Dr. That only partially solved my problem. I then went to another Dr (my savior) and he performed the next 2 surgeries. They had to be done in satges.
First he performend an Opening Wedge Osteotomy in 12/01. He basically broke my leg and inserted a wedge, plate and 4 screws. This revovery was about 8 weeks of which I was in a cast for 6. When he did this surgery he also took a biopsy of my cartlidge.
I waited 8 months between surgeries because I wanted to enjoy the spring and summmer riding season along with a family vacation to CA.
During the second surgery in 8/02,he performed a meniscal allograft (a new miniscus from a donor) along with a Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI). In the ACI he transplanted new cartlidge, grown in a petry dish from my biopsy and implanted it in my knee. It will continue to regenerate itself. The rehab for this was about 10 weeks of which 8 was in CPM machine for about 8 hours a day. It was not fun.
About 1 week after this surgey I developed a blod clot in my opposite knee and spent 5 day's in the hospital. I found out the clots can form at the location of a previous surgery. I had that knee scoped about 20 years ago. That set me back about 2 weeks.
Once I was off the blood thinners a had blood work down that revealed that one of my protein levels (I do not remember the protein) was below the accepatable range therefore I am prone to clots. If I ever have orthopedic surgery again and will be be in bed for a period of time I will be put on blood thinners.
I'm now 16 months out after surgery and I just finished my first 5k in 3 three years.
I'm back running between 3-5 miles several times a week on the treadmill.
I've riden about 2,000 pain free miles this season. I've enjoyed 100 mile rides without any pain.
My doctor has even cleared me to start playing basketball again. I'm still a bit hesitant to attempt playing because I can do everything that I want and need to do.
If anyone want's the name of the Dr, just let me know. He's, located in Northern NJ, very progressive in his treatment and has worked on many olympic, college and professional athletes.
I can be reached at rrush@metlife.com or
pattyandrob@comcast.net
Thank goodness for patience, ESPN and cable TV.
From:
pattyandrob@comcast.net
