successful recoveries?

I just had my 9 month anniversary ... MF on a 1x2cm full thickness tear in the cartilage under my kneecap.

I'm 40 yo. Before the injury, I had been a regular runner (4-5X/week). I participated in local 5k, 10k and 1/2-marathon events and even ran the Philly marathon in 2005. At the same time, I have played soccer in a local adult league for the last 10 years.

Surgical recovery was slow and followed a regimened program with guidance from my doc and PT staff. I was 6 weeks NWB, followed by several more weeks with bending restrictions via a brace. PT initially focused on regaining ROM and strengthening the muscle groups around the knee. I completed the formal PT phase at 6 months. Since then I've progressed through stationary bike, elliptical, walking, walk/jog, jog and light running; the latter only with regularity (2-3x/week) in the last month. I still try to get to the gym for some leg work as time permits. Every day I stretch my quads, hamstrings and calves.

Last week, I played in my first "recreational" summer soccer match ... what a joy!!!

One observation .... each new activity brings aches and pains. There's no pain at the injury site, instead it's been associated with soft tissue (muscles, tendons etc.) of the knee and scar tissue at the incision. On pain free days, I still feel a general tightness that's hard to describe but mentally curbs intensity when trying new activity. Doc said this was normal and I needed to build confidence in the knee as I progressed.

I think rest days have been critical to progress at this point. I try to do my harder workouts or new activities on Tues/Thurs/Sat and take the alternate days off or use them to take a walk or just spin on the stationary bike for improved flexibility. It's been a complete change from pre-injury scheduling, but it's really helped me slow things down and listen more carefully for my body's signals to back off. In the last month, I'd say that confidence gained from running is begetting more confidence. I look forward to the start of the fall soccer season and feel like I may be able to start to increasing intensity beyond this "safe" 3 day/week approach at that point.

I definitely feel like my knee is improving! At this point, I'm probably right where I thought I'd be; my doc conservatively said 12-18 month would be typical. My goal was to return to soccer and running in a year.

Memories of pre-injury fitness and skill levels are always on my mind. I'm far from pre-injury levels, but I see positive signs that another 6-9 months of continued work will bring more improvement and allow me to define boundaries for my knee's usability and allow me to regain access to the sports I love.

My recovery so far has gone very well. Still sore, but then again my surgery was only a week and a half ago. My injury was from a vehicle accident, but just like you, I went from pain when I walked to much to aggravating all the time. I hobbled out of the hospital and did not need crutches to leave the hospital, the stitches were out in a week, but I do have at least 6 weeks of physical therapy 2-3 times a week ahead of me. As of now, I am able to straighten my leg almost all the way out, but can not kneel down or bend my leg beyond 90 degrees. I hope this helps, just remember that everyone heals different and if you are fit and usually heal easily, you shouldn't do to bad!