rehab after microfracture

i had microfracture three weeks ago and am curious to hear how you are doing. my rehab has been similar to yours and very different from what i have read online. i was with crutches for only a few days and using the stationary bike at day two and swimming at day 5. at two weeks post op, i was cleared ro start running, but only 1-3 miles per day. after researching online, i have only tried running one mile and then thought to wait until 6 weeks post op. i, too, am a runner and was just starting to enter the world of ultras until my injury. i am hoping for a full recovery as i am sure you are. thanks for any advice/info you have for me.

I had microfracture done in Jan of this year and was 7 weeks non weight bearing post op. I was told to use a CPM (continuous passive motion) machine for 6 hours a day. I believe this was to reduce the amount of scar tissue that would develop as well as help the new cartilage develop. There were also exercises given to me by the physical therapist to help with the range of motion but I am still not back to full range. My microfracture was done on the end of the femor. If yours was done somewhere else your rehab may not be the same.

before my microfracture surgery, i had already modified my running schedule to 4 days of running a week and added 2-3 sessions of weight training. i am now just over 5 weeks post op. with a few stretches, i am now at full range of motion. i was only non weight bearing for 3 days and there was no mention of a CPM machine or physical therapy. so, i used the internet and common sesne for rehab. i started with using a stationary bike A LOT ( 1 or 2 45 minute sessions per day, 7 days a week), swimming 3-4 days a week, weight training 2-3 times a week (low weights), and 30 minutes of yoga per day. when there was no pain with resistance in the water, i replaced the almost all the swimming and some cycling with deep water running 5 days per week. by doing intervals, this can be a great cardio workout. this week, i cautiously did a 2 mile run, which caused my knee to swell a little bit, but there was no pain and knee was fine by morning. i did a 2.5 mile walk/run two days later, which seems to be a better way to get back to running. i also wear a brace with this thing that pulls my patella medially when i cycle and walk/run. lastly, i am religious about icing, taking glucosamine/chondriton and i also take vioxx as needed. i don't know if i will get back to the very long distances (like trying ultramarathoning), but we will see. i really think that the cycling andpool running have been bebficial in getting reange of motion back and keeping cardiovascular fitness. my microfracture was on the undersurface of the patella and the femur.

good luck! i am almost 12 weeks postop and stuck with my previously posted regime and...i am up to ten miles of running painfree and miniaml swelling! remember strentgh training and non weight bearing range of motion (no resistance)...very important!

Hi, This is a great question, and part of the reality that rehab after microfracture is so poorly defined. While your OS is recommending 12 weeks my OS recommended 3 weeks. The problem is that there aren't any control studies done where one rehab protocol can be compared against another. I agree with the observation that most protocols suggest 8 weeks (and that is what I convinced my OS to prescribe to me), but there could be particular details of your surgery that require longer rehab. Bottom line is that you should have this discussion with your OS. Sorry I couldn't help more. Good Luck! Matt