2 knees recovery. Quadriceps ACL graft with Antwerp Monoloop & (failed) Actifit.

[Mr.KnowBody]

Dear friends and colleagues on our way to recovery!

I have decided to start this thread to help my fellows, that are fighting similar battles as Yours truly, in hope that this information may help Us make healthier choices and that it may provide a good first hand experience.

My story. The "short version"...

It all starts when we are kids, the first running competition, the excitement of the first goal scored, the amazing feeling of slamming a dunk on your fellow, that is where we get our first impulse, saying

- Hey, I am good at something, I can be like Messi & Jordan.

So you start doing your favorite sport and loving it, with a sense of appreciation and passion for the game, and of course - Injuries.

But this is the exact moment, where one has to stop and ask yourself... .... ?

- Am I truly ready?
- Are my bones, ligaments and joints ready?
- Are my muscles strong and flexible and my body endurable?
- Am I ready for pain, sometimes without gain, and more often loss?
- Do I have the right mindset & knowledge of the game?
- Do I love my opponent as much as I do myself?
- Have I done everything possible to be prepared for this moment?

Rarely does an average Joe, ask these questions. To most of us, our games are a passion, a way of expression & socialization, at a time when personal contact is so rare, and we literally touch each other only either in bed,  on a play field or a dance floor.
Truly the only questions we ask ourselves:

- Have I kicked that guy's butt or not? What do my mates think about it? Am I a Winner or a Loser?

So the less we think about how well one feels, and how truly ready we are for the sport and injuries, the more of the chances, that "accidents" will happen.

Allow me to just say this, accidents are truly absent from our lives. Accidental is the unknown, waiting to be found out! And if you are thinking in any way differently, then it is a blatant self assuring lie, which will bring about even more lies, accidents and trouble, if one remains on the same course of treating them.

So, coming back to the story.
I was a musical and a geek kid. Playing the violin & books were my passion up until the first time I came to NYC and started to play ball with the best guys in Brooklyn. This is when all the "tiny" injuries started, that eventually led up to the big ones. Remember it is always scalar, if something gets injured, if you ignore the heart of the matter - it is bound to get worse and in new & surprising places. That is what happened to me. Violin made my shoulders skewed to one  side and my love of books gave me light scoliosis, eyesight problems, sedentary lifestyle and muscle atrophy in certain places.

What you stop using will always eventually atrophy, that what is overused without proper preparation will always get injured and consequently destroyed.

And so I started doing basketball at 13, no prior physical conditioning, no real posture correction, no real muscles and joints to play on, just Youth and Will. And trust me, when all you just have is the passion for any game, Youth & Health comes in short supply!

And so the injuries started to fall on me like a Niagara Waterfall would, as if one would be right in the middle of it...

Bone fractures (nose, fingers) ligament and muscle strains became a norm, back pains from jumping were like a sign of improvement, and none of this mattered, when I was good enough on a court. What a big mistake that was, and there were no people that said otherwise, not even the coaches. So it led me to my first major trauma : a complete ACL tear, with a subtotal tear of a medial ligament and a huge tear in the medial meniscus of the right knee at 16 years of age, just three years after starting basketball, without proper conditioning and already with full bag of strains, semi fractures and concussions.

And so, this had to be operated on, the leg was completely out function, swollen beyond adequate measure, and feeling worst by the day. Unfortunately, my first operation was done in a distant land of Russia, where doctors only think that they are helping You, in reality they seldom even know their own subject and patients. As a result, my ACL was grafted from my hamstrings, and was not placed in the correct anatomical angles of the knee, the meniscus was almost brutally completely cut, instead of stitching, cons treatment, biological repair. And so I got myself a right knee that was barely holding when I walked, was constantly swollen, couldn't really run, or jump anymore, and a belief that I am now an invalide (disabled), because that is what the doctor said and done, that lying prick...

What happened after 10 years of college sitting and partying, working in an office, and sedentary lifestyle, which became the only lifestyle at one point (wake-work-play-sleep) was an early onset of arthrosis, inability to walk and live without pain, initial stages of impotency, and a terrible immune system, was getting ill on quite a regular basis, with an almost daily feeling of absolutely no energy.

That is when I decided to finally do something about it. As if ten years of pain and suffering were not reason enough already.

Tried to come back to basketball, and realized that I can't run, jump, pivot or score the ball, and having a strength of a 13 year old, in 25 year old body, didn't work out at all.
Then tried traditional physio, with cardio and swimming. That made things even more chronic, the pain got worse. Couldn't walk for long anymore, and was always in pain. And after a while it became so strong, and the swelling got so bad, that I started seeing doctors again - but all they offered, was more cutting, and no real chances of full, or even partial recovery.

So, without any real, knee saving alternative in sight, I went into a downshifting mode. Complete conservation became the goal, and I have decided to do as much as I possibly can to fix things naturally, while researching and waiting for regenerative orthopedic technology to become available to the general public.

In the last 11 years I have eventually tried so many different physical and mindful practices, that Today I can say for a fact, that I truly know what helps a person recover from strains, pains, physical and even emotional damage, and especially - What to do to prevent it.

What I have found out, and am still a believer in, is the fact that when you attempt to compliment as many NATURAL practical ways of improving ones condition, the quicker You get the best results. IN my honest opinion and a wealth of experience - that is one of the keys to successful recovery, whilst a strong will to change for the better will do the rest of the trick.

So, what exactly helped my right knee arthrosis, pain and muscle degeneration, and sent me on away to true recovery.

1) Complete move to an organic & natural vegetarian/vegan/raw diet
2) Drinking at least 2,5 -3 liters of fresh natural spring water every day
3) Complete abstinence from alcohol, cigarettes, industrially modified and artificial foods and drinks, white processed sugars, artificial chemical household products & personal cleaning items (tooth pastes, deodorants, shower and bath gels etc etc.)
4) Natural training daily - body weight exercises, specific joint and mobility exercises, breathing exercises, mindful Taoist meditation (check out Mantak Chia's books), and many exercises of personal reinvention, that do more then any traditional ways can offer. Abstinence from traditional weightlifting and high impact exercises, because monotony and simple straight angles destroy more health then we can even imagine.
5) Continuously maintaining a joyful and an aware state if mind. Meaning, that I am always open to new practical information, if it is natural and complimentary to my lifestyle, I will always try to use it in daily training, or add it to the day.
6) Use of natural super foods like - organic cocoa beans, coconut oil, turmeric, chlorella, spirulina, and many others, the list is getting bigger, for I am always open to new healthfull information.
7) Dubious amounts of high grade THC and CBD rich cannabis, for pain management and mood alteration. Do use, only high quality and organic stuff. Avoid mixing with tobacco. The best results happen when you mix a strong sativa & a strong indica, preferably in the form of RSO (Rick Simpson oil), canna edibles, vaporizing, and least effective (but more immediate) smoking.
Started using natural essential oils. Only organic, of the highest food grade quality. Those can be used locally, as aroma therapy, and as parts of your special favorite concoctions. But do be aware of: dosages and risks. Too much of anything can cause toxicity, and adverse reactions. Therefore, tread lightly.
9) Use highest grades of available probiotics, preferably based only on cell cultures of bacteria
10) Complete abstinence from the use of any medications that are: chemically derived and have more side effects, then good effects. Only use natural meds, and if you must buy anything artificial, my rule is - no side effects. It's not easy, but when you put your mind to it, you ll find all the solutions.

So, what is the result?

In the last ten years I have completely reversed the oncoming of arthritis, stopped the pains in the medial side of the knee joint from walking, returned male potency to the heights never experienced before, completely regained almost the full use of muscles, was able to return to playing basketball on a competitive (proper team play level), stopped knee swelling, stopped having any more (self caused) accidents, returned to a feeling of health, that i thought was lost forever.

And all of this I have done to prepare me for the next step: a  actifit implant (or any comparable and just as effective one) and an operation to regenerate the rest of the right knee, so that it could get absolutely normal....BUT, the Gods had other plans for me.

Last December 2016, I have been rugby tackled in the left knee on a basketball court, and gained my newest knee injury - a subtotal ACL tear of the left knee and a huge tear in the lateral meniscus. However, this time, everything is different. I have 20 years of experience of loosing and winning a battle for my right knee. So I immediately turn to rigorous natural training training and voila, in one week I already walked without a stick, the inflammation reduced to zero, and became completely pain free by one month. But, and there is always one, I have made several mistakes. First -thinking that I know everything, and not doing an MRI was the first, and secondly, going for a light jog, believing that a good knee brace will be enough to hold everything.

As soon as I have done a light pivot shift, the left knee gave way, and have experienced the excruciating pain and sound of the ACL tear, coupled with a huge tear of the medial meniscus.

And so this brings me to this moment, lying on hospital bed in Antwerp and writing these words.

The last several months were spent in research and as a result, I have found Professor Peter Verdonk. I truly felt and complimented with logical analysis, that this was probably the best choice. He is one of the few people, that was recommended to me, by the head orthopedic doctor of the Russian Olympic team, dr. Orletsky.

Professor Verdonk was incredibly quick to respond to my email. Had immediately looked at the MRI scans and offered a solution - a complete ACL reconstruction, using a soft part of the quadriceps tendon, an Antwerp monoloop and an optional actifit implant. Considering, that I am not a resident of EU and insurance covers zero- the total cost, just for the operation is totaling in the range 18500 EURO, which have to be paid in full and in advance.

Right now, I am writing this, just hours after the operation was successfully completed. It took jus 2 hours and 15 minutes, compared to my 8 hours in 1997 it's nothing. I yet don't know if the actifit implant has been put in place (will tomorrow). Pain is slowly coming back, where the monoloop was done and I am yet to meet Professor Verdonk, for a post operative talk. The knee already feels much more stable, practically no pain - yet. And I would like to use this opportunity, to write about my complete recovery process from this injury and operation here, including further posts on specific physical exercises, that tremendously advance the recovery process and get you rid of pain and swelling quicker then usual.

Hopefully these words will find a sympathetic ear, with similar problems ant it will bring me nothing but Absolute Joy, to further share these experiences with You, for our mutual benefit of course !!!!

Will keep posting updates as soon as physically possible....

With absolute best wishes to You, the Reader & the Practicioner of Restorative & Preventive Health...

Mr. KnowBody

[Mr.KnowBody]

Have met with Prof Verdonk and got the results of surgery

The ACL and monoloop were perfectly installed, my excessive exercising and lifestyle helped to build up nice quad tendons, so hopefully everything is now stable, while the quad will eventually regenerate. However, I have failed to qualify for the meniscus Actifit, the inner part of the meniscus is gone, and the rest, doesn't allow it to be fit on the outer rim. So now, just about 70% of it left ...

Since the outer rim still gets enough blood, I am now hoping and will do all of my best to regrow,  what has been removed. Am trying to get info on the Regenexx super PRP. It can be done in Belgium for 2300 euro with a personal consultation fee of 500 in oreme.eu

Also will be doing some more heavy modifications to diet and lifestyle, in order to attempt to stimulate meniscus regrowth...

[Mr.KnowBody]

With the wishes for the best health to You all, I am back.

It has been approximately 2 days since the operation, yesterday I was out of the hospital on cruches, with some meds, files, hopes & dreams.

Now starts the best part - rehab

To tell you the truth, it is not an easy feeling, but bearable. When I met with the good Professor Verdonk, I said that aesthetic aspects were not my concern, but a complete function and full range of motion, including pivoting - is... That is why we went for the monoloop procedure ...

In basic terms. He created a new ligament, split a part from one on the outer side of the knee, and attached it to my thigh bone. It feels weird, like you be had a tear and strain in place, that you never knew existed, and in fact, it is literally, an extra ligament, that holds the joint in place.

This is how it is done
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zrbZn9nBG9M


Now for the ACL. The quads are truly amazing. I gave up approximately 8 mm of thick quad tissue for a new ACL. It is an interesting fact, the quad tendon is at least 1,5-2 times stronger then what the original ACL can take. So, it is good news - I am new and improved ...

Now the true test begins. Because of muscle atrophy, couldn't do runs or jumps since December, so at least 3,5 months, the legs feel weak, in places, so I began, what I call now, soft weight baring exercises.

When you loose a part of the quad, the first thing you can't do, is raise your leg. So most of the exercises involve either sitting on a chair, on a couch, in between two chairs, and (my favorite) crutch exercises.

The first thing you realize, when you wake up, is that everything hurts, especially the neck. So the first thing you can do, is put your hands on the head, and push it, while "imaginary" painting with your nose. Basically, try to draw circles and lines, and then try to "write" your name with the nose, while simultaneously pushing and pulling on your head in a 360 3D fashion, trying to cover the whole of the skull and jaw, including the ears. Post op neck stiffness  passes in about 3-5 minutes of nose painting   this is a great way to fix a headache, blocked sinuses, and many other neck and head ailments. To push on your head, you can use - two hands, one hand, while the other is holding your tummy while sitting, and you can also use either and preferably : palms, fingers, knuckles, sides of the palms Etc.

In the next post, I ll try to write down some of the other exercises, that are much more effective, then traditional "straight angled" physio.

[Mr.KnowBody]

Started rehab at MoveToCure

The guys are great and have a lot of positive motivation. While for me, it's time to grow some bone, ligaments & cartilage.

This will require a change in diet that will include mostly super foods, of both vegetable and animal sources.

Google human health + oysters,  + sea urchin and of course , bone broth. Specifically there is a Caucasus kitchen dish called Has (pronounced hAsh) and it's a bone broth, it is boiled for 10 hours, here is a photo recipe https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UxfF1Lq_c3Q

It is truly difficult to change my lifestyle, because I am an ethical vegetarian/ natural food eater, and the thought that someone is suffering for my taste is really concerning. But, if you need to grow bone and cartilage quick. These are a good choice.

In terms of calcium and magnesium and vitamin E. I found, that mixing raw tahini, raw cacao nibs, coconut oil with turmeric and black pepper is a good recipe.

In terms of exercise. It is impossible to raise the leg, without the help of the other one, or without using hands. But I am already working on bending, twisting and moving the leg in variative natural motions, while pulling and pushing with my hands all around the leg, starting with the foot and fingers, and slowly working towards the knee and thighs. Where hands focus goes, energy flows.

What are the types of movements that one can do? Most of the time, we use linear motions. Be it, during a weightlifting session, or a stretch band type exercise, or even a push up, most of the time we go to repetitive monotone motions, which actually do us both good and harm. So in order to avoid harm, and only leave the good, I am now doing several more advanced types of moves, that let me work out more of the amazing gift, which are bodies are.

They are as follows:

Straight lines - / | <> ^ +
Circles and half circles ( ) O
Waves ~
Infinities ∞ 8  (some May call them "figure 8", but to me they are truly infinite)

And many more, try using your imagination in picking out new moves, you can write your name, using your thigh, or fingers, as a drawing tool. This is body drawing.

Just apply Your hands, and begin to paint.

I am not very good at counting sets. So I try to do them in intervals, as much as I can at this moment, per session.

What really helps with the pain during exercising is firstly the positive active meditation, it is like a carrier wave, I try to meditate on being enlightened by inner joy, and breathe normally and slowly.

Breath work is also very important, our lungs are much more then we realize, apart from oxygenation they also help us burn fat, and create new blood. Consequently, this means that the more breathing and inner techniques you can learn, the more effective you will get.

To name a few, try yogic pranayama and raja techniques and the taoist inner smile. However, for me, the inner smile concept doesn't work, what works is - inner enlightenment with joy, possibly because it is a feeling, while smiling is a physical emotion.

The results of these two days are as follows:

Can do rigorous exercises for at least two sessions of one and half hours in the morning, and half hour in the evening
Can put more weight on the leg
Can stand on both legs without crutches, and it feels good...

[Mr.KnowBody]

It has been about four days since the surgery, I have finally stopped taking the antibiotics, and can actually get back to some natural self-healing.

Plus, I got some good news from Regenexx yesterday. Apparently You can re grow your meniscus - like a lizard. That can happen, but you gotta stop taking alcohol and anti inflammatory drugs like (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Cortison, Statine...) for 4-6 weeks before any PRP/stem cells treatment.

In general, the regeneration of meniscus after surgery is possible up to 15-20%.

This is GREAT NEWS!!!

Add that to 65-70% of what I have left, and hopefully with a good diet, I can get it back to 100%. Really having my hopes up for a full recovery !!!

I wonder, if people stop taking pain killers, and other drugs, maybe they could re grow bone and cartilage better, and naturally?

What helps me start the day, may also do the trick for You.

Usually I wake up with a stiff feeling and numb pain in the quads, bathrooms and moving with crutches has become quite easy, but I can already stand on both feet, and have attempted "baby steps", which I feel is a good thing, cause now I can do the business as a man ...

Anyways, my morning trick is this.

Drink
A glass of water with 4-5 spoons, or more, of chlorella
A glass of water with a table spoon of organic Apple cider vinegar
A glass of water
Several spoons of sea ​​buckthorn oil, it does miracles for wound healing
Several spoons of colloidal silver
A glass of water with super probiotics

And finally, a nice fatty...

This gets me up and running and I can immediately get to exercising the joints.

[TheMonkeysAreComming]

It has been about four days since the surgery, I have finally stopped taking the antibiotics, and can actually get back to some natural self-healing.

Plus, I got some good news from Regenexx yesterday. Apparently You can re grow your meniscus - like a lizard. That can happen, but you gotta stop taking alcohol and anti inflammatory drugs like (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Cortison, Statine...) for 4-6 weeks before any PRP/stem cells treatment.

In general, the regeneration of meniscus after surgery is possible up to 15-20%.

This is GREAT NEWS!!!

Add that to 65-70% of what I have left, and hopefully with a good diet, I can get it back to 100%. Really having my hopes up for a full recovery !!!

I wonder, if people stop taking pain killers, and other drugs, maybe they could re grow bone and cartilage better, and naturally?

What helps me start the day, may also do the trick for You.

Usually I wake up with a stiff feeling and numb pain in the quads, bathrooms and moving with crutches has become quite easy, but I can already stand on both feet, and have attempted "baby steps", which I feel is a good thing, cause now I can do the business as a man ...

Anyways, my morning trick is this.

Drink
A glass of water with 4-5 spoons, or more, of chlorella
A glass of water with a table spoon of organic Apple cider vinegar
A glass of water
Several spoons of sea ​​buckthorn oil, it does miracles for wound healing
Several spoons of colloidal silver
A glass of water with super probiotics

And finally, a nice fatty...

This gets me up and running and I can immediately get to exercising the joints.

Great to hear you are progressing.

But what does it mean when you say:
"In general, the regeneration of meniscus after surgery is possible up to 15-20%."

Could you point this onto some studies?
How does the meniscus regenerate itself
Do you mean - repair itself, in terms of a existing tear in the red/white zone?