Microfracture 3 weeks ago. About to attempt walking

Hi all.

I am two plus weeks post microfracture surgery. Two years ago I had an OATS procedure on the same area (medial femoral condoyle). Like many, I was not told I had the procedure until my 1 week check up. My discharge paperwork said weight bearing as tolerated (probably written by the nurse who was as clueleess as me that I had the procedure) and I walked into my docs office....oooops. I was not in pain even under full weight. My OS was not thrilled but did not seem to concerned, but I am back on crutches.

I still don't have pain, and he told me spinning (low resistance) was OK. I go back in two weeks to discuss options for my mostly destroyed meniscus. My OS is not really warm and fuzzy, but I've heard he is very good. I plan to ask a lot more questions even if I have to threaten him with my crutch to make him stay and answer. Thanks to all who reminded me that it is my knee & health.

Best of luck to all of you,...

I'll be 3 weeks post op this Friday. I had microfracture proceedure on my femure. I just met with my Dr this morning. He told me that I can get rid of the crutches this Saturday and start slowly working my way up to stairs and other muscle building.

I haven't decided how quickly I'm going to go completely crutch free. I've got 4 young kids and it's pretty hard to keep up on crutches. During surgery the Dr. told me it would be 4 weeks of non-weight bearing, so I'm a little cautiously optimistic about walking after 3 weeks. I haven't had any real pain, I think that's what swayed my Dr.

I've been pretty good about staying non-weight bearing so far. I had to travel for work once already and it was very difficult to navagate the airport without putting any weight on the leg. At work they have a wheel chair they've let me borrow for a few days to give me a break from the crutches for a few days.

I've got to say that crutches and 40 years old are not a good mix. It was much easier after my ACL replacement 6 years ago.

As far as questions to ask your Dr., I asked about what kind of normal activity I could expect. I'm now missing about 70% of my meniscus, so he told me 'no more softball'. Pretty much all running is out. Walking, biking and golf seem to be my remaining options.

I also asked about nutrition or other things I could do to help my knee. There are a lot of different opinions about glucosamine and other supplements. You can find tons of stuff on the internet, but I'd also recommend you discuss it with your Dr.

Finally, I recommend you discuss any discomfort you might have. I've got a spot on the outside lower part of my knee cap that seems to have a lot of fluid build up. It's usually no problem, but when I bend my knee as far as it will go, the area bulges and the fluid seems to limit my motion. If you have any issue like that you should point it out to your Dr.

I have a bag that I keep all my knee related stuff in. The pictures from my surgery, my exercise instructions, appointment reminders, etc. I have started keeping a note pad also so when I think of a question I want to ask my Dr. I can write it down. There've been too many times I got out of the office and as I got to my car I thought 'Oh, I also wanted to ask about .....'

As far as driving, since bending my knee isn't a problem and one of my excersises is to work my ankle, I wasn't too worried about driving from about day 5. I brake with my left foot (surgery was right knee) and I drive an automatic. I am more worried about driving while taking vicodin than driving because of my knee. My solution is I don't take the vicodin if there's a chance I'll need to drive within 2 hours.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
y8

Excellent advise !!!

definately write your questions down, accumulate your thoughts on paper and use that to help.
I was fortunate in that my Doc and PA were very amenable to sticking around until my questions were exhausted. Schedules get delayed, but it's YOUR KNEE!

keep in mind, some questions can't be answered ...
chance for return to basketball, for example. every case is different, every recovery is different. They can give you guidance on what's realistic and what is not.

Be proactive, get as much info as you can regarding therapy/recovery plans ... when your not sure about something or feel odd sensations in the knee, ask the why and why nots. Make a plan, celebrate milestones and stay commited. Finally, expect full recovery to take time; in my case ... 9 - 12 months.

btw, my game is soccer and running; I definately feel your frustration. Sitting out a year is killing me, but I'm currently six months post-op with a plan and I'm still on track. Fortunately, there hasn't been any major setbacks to date.

good luck with your recovery!

Hello,
I wanted to write you and offer a bit of advice...You need to get more involved with your treatment.
I had microfracture in December and it is not a walk in the park. I have not had a working ACL in my surgery knee for 16 years. We do not repair it as I am not unstable. This last surgery was for medial and laterial meniscus tears, pattela microfracture and other cartilage repair. I have a fantastic doctor who was the Olympic team knee surgeon for 13 years so I can trust him. He knows I do not like being uninformed about my situation and that I want answers.
You have to be very firm with your doctor...it is YOUR knee and YOUR life to deal with. I come in each visit, after having done research on the internet, with my questions on paper ready to talk about my concerns. I do not let any doctor leave me in the dark. I do not mean to preach but I am a pro athlete and my career is at risk everytime they treat my knee and you should really be involved.
You should get a copy of your surgical notes from your doctor and also he should have taken photos of the inside of your knee. Write down all your questions and tell him your concerns and go over them with him. You pay him so make it worth it.
Rehab is a must after microfracture or any knee surgery and you should ask for some. I was put in the day after surgery. It is crucial you get your mobility back.

Ge involved, research, be your own advocate and stay informed as to your condition.

My best to you,

5-6-7-8dance