Anybody have microfracture surgery?

STGRule · 03-07-2008, 08:52 AM

As I lay here on the couch with my knee swollen up and too much pain, I am contemplating the surgeons diagnosis of microfracture surgery. I'd like to hear some first-hand recovery stories.

fishbuilder · 03-07-2008, 09:01 AM

StgRule, I had microfracture surgury approx. 5-years ago. Worked well for me, after 7 scopes, I was on my way to knee replacement by 45-50. Now after looking at several of my recent MRI's I dont think that is going to be needed. The pain was more than a scope, no long term problems, very strong now and no pain. I would make sure my ortho is very good at this procedure and pushes rehab. afterwords. I will more than likely have the other knee "microed" this year.

STGRule · 03-07-2008, 09:06 AM

What was your recovery like? Crutches? For how long? Braces/casts? Weight-bearing timing? Did you use the passive movement machine? How long until you felt stable and comfortable getting back to normal stuff?

fishbuilder · 03-07-2008, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STGRule

What was your recovery like? Crutches? For how long? Braces/casts? Weight-bearing timing? Did you use the passive movement machine? How long until you felt stable and comfortable getting back to normal stuff?

Little background, Normal scope and clean the week before microfracture. Had procedure done on a Thursday, back at work on Tuesday, used crutches over the weekend and first few days of the next week. (typical crutch usage is longer) I have had two crutches periods in my life over six months, so to say I dont care for them is an understatement. No braces or casts, weight bearing for me was approx. five to seven days, your body is the best guage. Typical sutures and bandages, typical swelling (3-8 weeks) depending on your ice schedule. I did not have use of passive movement machine, my doctor had me in rehab approx. 7 days later on that knee, and I was doing rehab on the other knee at the same time. I would say it took three to four months to get back to crossing rivers with confidence and strength again. Normal stuff, like driving, walking and ect. comes very quickly and again you will swell when you work it hard. A little Ketaprophin will fix most pains. I was 42 when I had the procedure done, and I will be almost 47 on the next one. My doctor had me look at some digital photos of a patients knee that was done approx. one year before mine, and he then tore the ligaments on the same knee one year later, the meniscus growth was amazing in that one year period. My knee is way smoother, no popping or grinding.

STGRule · 03-07-2008, 10:38 AM

Thank you. That doesn't sound so bad. I am however a bit older than that and it is my job that I am most concerned about getting back to. Three-to four months sounds like what the doctor said. I'll have to look into a job share or something at work so i can work in the office instead of out in the field.

HntnFsh · 03-07-2008, 11:06 AM

Just curious,what is the microfracture surgury for?
Sounds like maybe repair of a torn miniscus as opposed to trimming,etc?

Doc Savage · 03-07-2008, 11:23 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfracture_surgery

here's the wiki version. it has a lilnk to the orthopedist that deveoped it.

SlimeyLimey · 03-07-2008, 11:28 AM

I've posted elsewhere about the fact that I had both knees totally replaced two years ago. My early injuries were too far back in history before microfracture surgery was even an option (or at least not for us peasants...), and the continuing degradation of my knees eventually left me no choice.

You'll have to weigh the projected benefits per your doctor's thoughts (and perhaps those of a second opinion if you like...), but if the list of positives is longer than the negatives then I say go for it. Life for me is SO MUCH BETTER, that I hope others will not let treatable injuries linger on.

Good luck!
S

STGRule · 03-07-2008, 12:26 PM

My injury was re-defined after the MRI. It was not a torn meniscus, it was a tear in the articular cartilage of the patella and an osteochondral lesion.

fishbuilder · 03-07-2008, 01:16 PM

More thoughts on this procedure after reading the links. Typically grinding and smoothing of the affected joint is involved during surgery this is typically what causes more pain and discomfort than the actual procedure. I needed extensive smoothing and grinding on the femur and this caused extra discomfort afterwords. More pain than typical scope surgery. I still hunt, fish, chase the kids and dogs, and coach three sports. Good luck!

HntnFsh · 03-07-2008, 01:33 PM

Thanks for the link Doc,
Thats pretty interesting stuff.Next time I'm in to see my Doctor about my knee I'll have to talk to him about it.

STGRule · 05-05-2008, 03:32 PM

I FINALLY got authorized by SAIF for my surgery. It's only been 12 weeks to get the authorization.

Now on to the three month recovery.

SlimeyLimey · 05-05-2008, 03:36 PM

Good luck and keep a smile!

S

HntnFsh · 05-05-2008, 04:24 PM

Best wishes on your surgury STGrule.I really hope that goes well for you.

Got a couple opinions on my knee lately.Said I'll probably be in for a replacement in a few years.Can hardly wait.UGH!!!

They did suggest Synvisc injections to get me by for awhile.

trout tickler · 05-05-2008, 05:31 PM

I had it done on November 13 torn ACL at that time too. The recovery is long. The surgeon liked to draw it out as long as 6 months for the best results. He also said that this would take a full year to be fully recovered. Mine was workers comp thank god or you would have seen a lot of stuff for sale. I have been working half days since February and you can tell when you over do it. The brace and crutches were on till the end of December. Be prepared for a lot of rehab and don't rush it. The pain is not worth it. If you have stairs they will be the biggest challenge. The main thing is to stretch. Get it back to full extension and reflection. Also you will be amazed at the muscle loss and weight gain from sitting around(I gained 20 lbs in no time). Invest in a nintendo wii or x-box and be patient it is a long recovery. Hope its going well and good luck. My scheduled work return for full duty is in 2 weeks and I can't wait. Like my Dad used to say "It only hurts till the pain goes away"

STGRule · 05-05-2008, 05:36 PM

Thanks all.

And the weight gain already started. I've been off work for 4 weeks and I can't go anywhere or do anything so I've been cooking and baking a lot.

I do indeed have a Wii and I have saved 2 new games to play when me and the couch are best friends.

Greg516 · 05-05-2008, 07:27 PM

im trying to figure out whats wrong with my knee... Need a 2nd mri in less than a yr. First time was because i was playing football and got hit in the inside of my knee... just a couple weeks ago, i twisted it while fishing... 3 1/2 weeks later... still not feeling any better... Hard to walk up stairs and hills and inclined areas... feels really weak right below my knee cap... Doc said i cant relax it and it is swollen alot... told me to take it easy... being young.. i havent... but im thinking it is either meniscus tear... slight acl tear... or now this... just dont know wat it is.

Fishingfanatic · 05-05-2008, 09:44 PM

talk to Greg Oden

STGRule · 05-28-2008, 07:14 AM

Today is the day. It only took 15 weeks. Off to the hospital.

FallRiverGuy · 05-28-2008, 07:59 AM

Best of luck.

HntnFsh · 05-28-2008, 02:20 PM

Good luck man.Hope all turns out great for you.

STGRule · 06-09-2008, 11:17 AM

Went in for my first checkup post surgery. All is well. It actually felt better 24 hours after surgery than it did before surgery. I didn't have to have the micro-fracture part (thank goodness). I had a torn meniscus and a blister on the cartilage behind my kneecap. I have really cool video of the whole thing.

The best part is I finally get to go back to work next week!!! Only part time, but something is better than nothing.