A little over eight months ago, I had the MACI knee surgery procedure, along with a MPFL Reconstruction. I’ve given you updates along the way and some pretty amazing things have happened over the last month or so that I just had to share. If you had this procedure or are thinking about having it, you will want to read this post, as well as my previous updates.
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Milliard Foam Leg Elevator Cushion with Washable Cover, Support and Elevation Pillow for Surgery, Injury, or Rest
Ossur Cold Rush Therapy System (W/ Knee Pad)Boiron Arnicare Roll-on Twin Pack Homeopathic Medicine for Pain Relief, 1.5 Ounce (Pack of 2)
MACI Knee Surgery
It’s been a little over eight months since I had the MACI knee surgery and I am still very happy I had the surgery. It’s not been the easiest of recoveries. However, I knew that going in. I knew that the full recovery is about 18 months. With that said, there are a few things that, along the way, I kind of thought would be my new normal. For instance, going up and down the stairs. I was able to go down somewhat OK. However, going up the stairs was difficult. I could do a few stairs OK, but not all of them. So I resorted to going up one step at a time. Well…guess what?! Last week, and every day since, I have been able to go up the stairs “normal”, with very little pain!
The Original Stretch Out Strap with Exercise Book by OPTP – Top Choice of Physical Therapists & Athletic TrainersBosu Pro NexGen 65CM Balance TrainerResistance Exercise Bands, Set of 5 Fitness Bands Perfect for Legs and Butt Yoga Crossfit Strength Training Pilates with Instruction Guide, Carry Bag
About the MACI and MPFL Procedure
So, why the MACI procedure? What is it exactly? I had two issues going on with my knee. First, I had terrible knee instability. Second, I had a lot of cartilage damage. The MACI procedure is a two part procedure where they took a biopsy of the cartilage in my knee during the first surgery. A lab took that biopsy and grew more of my own cartilage. In the second surgery, they cut way all the damaged cartilage and replaced it with my new cartilage. The next thing they did during the second surgery was the MPFL Reconstruction. With that procedure, they took out a tendon and used a donor tendon to help stabilize my knee.
How Are Things 8 Months Later?
I honestly could not be happier! It’s been SOOOOO long since I was able to walk without worrying about my knee dislocating. I started physical therapy in October of 2018 after my first surgery. Currently, I am still going to physical therapy. The second surgery was in April of 2019. Right now I am going once a week, every other week. When I am not at physical therapy, I make sure to go to the gym daily (or almost daily!) to continue to build up my strength. All in all, while my knee still gets sore from time to time or stiff, I am very happy I went through this surgery. It wasn’t always easy, and it still isn’t. They work my butt off at physical therapy, but the confidence I have in my knee now is great.
My Tips
If you are going to be having knee surgery. I have three tips for you.
- If you have time before the surgery, do physical therapy or strength exercises. The stronger you can be going into surgery, the better things will be after surgery.
- Listen to your doctors and physical therapists. Do the things they ask you to do outside of physical therapy. They will know if you don’t!
- Consider picking up the three things I linked to at the very top of the post. The knee elevator is paramount to getting a good nights sleep. If your hospital doesn’t send you home with a water ice machine, buy one. It helps so much! Finally, the Arnica gel helps so much with swelling!
If you have had the MACI knee surgery, please leave me a comment and let me know how you are doing! I would love to hear from you.
Hello, I have had the Maci Surgery and am at Month 8! I had this surgery after another surgery from injury, and it was quite complex. I’m learning how to go up stairs and haven’t learned how to go down yet. I was wondering what the length of months has been for your physical therapy? Unfortunately, I was injured at work in workers compensation, and so they control my rehab quite tightly. I’m currently trying to advocate for the need for more physical therapy. They are trying to take it away now, and I’m so worried about all of it.
Would you mind sharing how long yours was?
Learning to go down the stairs was so hard for me. I could never do it with two crutches. I would always use just one and then use the banister. As for PT. I am still doing PT. I am at month 15 I believe it is. My insurance refused to give me more visits, so I do the sports medicine package my facility has. Unfortunately, due to Covid, I haven’t been with my PT since March. I’ve been doing stuff at home, but really need to get in to see them. I’m hoping I can go soon.
My surgeon told me that it is a full 18 month recovery. In fact, the booklet that Maci sent to me says the same thing. I would push that you need more time. There are so many things like pivoting, twisting and turning that I need to work on and get stronger. I’m also dealing with a lot of scar tissue. I know when I finally get to go in, it’s going to be a rough visit with them working on the scar tissue. Good luck to you!
Hello, I just had the Maci surgery 2 days ago. I have to be non weight bearing for 6 weeks any tricks on taking a shower?
Hi there. I hope you are doing OK and recovering well. I actually bought a shower stool. This is the shower stool we got and it was an asset to have. As for my leg and not being able to get the incision wet, we wrapped it really well with plastic wrap and I sat with my back to the shower stream. Once I was able to get it wet, I turned and faced the shower stream. We also have the ability to use the handheld shower head and I used that and it made things much easier. Hope that helps!
Hi I’m thinking about getting this surgery for my cartilage defect. How are you feeling now about the surgery? Would like to see a new blog post about it, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of info about this procedure
This April will be two years from the second part of the Maci surgery and I have to say, I am still very happy I did the surgery. I will be writing up a post soon, actually! So please check back!
I just had the first part of the surgery last week! Any tips for after the first surgery? Did you get back to working out after the first one? I won’t be having the second one for like 8 weeks.
Any tips and tricks would be great!
Thanks
I had a little trouble straightening my leg after the first one. I was in PT right after the surgery and opted to purchase a PT package to continue doing PT with my trainers (and use the bike at the gym) so I went into the second surgery as strong as possible. That was the best thing I could have ever done. I highly recommend talking to your doctor about that. Mine felt that the stronger I could be going into the second surgery, the better I will be when I came out of that surgery and that was so true for me.
Thanks! I am starting to work out again to gain flexibility and get stronger! I am I guess you could say a work out fiend! I am definitely going to get stronger before the next one! Also any suggestions for the second one?
Oooh I have LOTS of posts on the second surgery. If you go to the search bar (right hand side of the site) and search either “knee surgery” or “MACI”, you will pull up all of the posts!! Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck on your next surgery!
Hey Leah
Great blog!
So I have a question for you … I am getting ready to undergo MACI (hopefully limited to patella) & MPFL reconstruction on July 22nd and I am looking for some advice on what to expect 1 week out as far as ability to maneuver on crutches pain wise? Thanks!
Hi Patrick…while I can only talk about my experience, yours may be different…for me, I was still in a considerable amount of pain. I was able to get around on crutches, but I was still taking the pain pills. The MACI with the MPFL is such a long recovery. I am over two years out now and I have to say, while it was a long recovery, I am so glad I did it. Good luck!
Hey! So I am coming up to seven months post surgery and my progress has taken a turn. Did you experience any set backs or new pain/sensations? I see my physio two/three times a week and even she is confused at how my leg has been.
I did. I don’t remember at what point, but I know it was pretty far into it like you. I remember crying at therapy because I thought was doing so well and then my knee swelled so badly and it was horrible. BUT with that said, just push through, listen to your PT and it will get better! At least it did for me! Good luck to you.
Hi wondering how you recovery was at the 3-4 month mark. This is my fourth surgery a lot of damage and things wrong so i had maci. I am 13 weeks post surgery and so much stiffness and pain still. Wondering when it might get better or if it will end. I was only nwb for two weeks which was great but brace for 6. This is my fourth year post original injury and im quite depressed.
Hi there…I’ve had the MACI twice now. Once on my left and once on my right. Both times, at the 13 week mark, I was still stiff and I still had pain. It was tolerable and something I could control with Tylenol, but it was still there. The stiffness, this time around on my left hung around awhile and then all of a sudden, it just started getting better and better to where I am now, which is around the 6 month mark and pain is gone (for the most part…I get a slight “bite” across the kneecap from time to time) and the stiffness is mostly gone too. I am walking normal and getting stronger and stronger. I was NWB and wore the brace much longer because I also had a MPFL reconstruction with my right and a tibial osteotomy with my left. My best advice…if something doesn’t feel right, let your physical therapists and/or surgeon know. But hang in there and keep doing your exercises. Did your surgeon have you use a machine to bend your knee after surgery? I found that was very helpful.