5 months post op microfracture

[Scooby]

I am now 5 months post op for a microfracture for a 1.5 cm full thickness loss of articular surface  to the medial condyle of my left knee.  I was 5 weeks NWB then 3 weeks partial WB.  I started physio after 5 weeks.

My knee is still swollen, I can only just walk without limping (still limp after a lot of walking or sitting still for a long time) and it hurts a lot if I accidently twist my knee.

I am getting a bit frustrated with the amount of time it seems to be taking to recover.  I was told it would take about 6 months and I am nearly at that point and the knee is worse than before the Op. 

Should I just stop whinging and get on with it or should it be better by now?

My physio has referred me back to the surgeon as he has not seen me since 5 wks post op to see what he thinks, but I though perhaps someone might be able to let me know how theirs felt at this stage.

I play(ed) hockey and would love to get back to playing but am becoming more convinced that this won't happen.

Please can someone give me their experiences?

[sheilauk]

Hi Scooby

I can give you my update at 3 months post op but do bear in mind there must be different degrees of microfractures performed as i was never non weight bearing.  I just had a stick no crutches.  I am now back to walking my l hour a day with the dog! up hills down hills,even uneven ground and am having no twinges at all. When i kneel it is uncomfortable and makes my knee ache.  I cant squat either but am reluctant to keep trying.  I can only wear flat shoes or my knee gets mad! If i lift anything heavy now that hurts for some reason. There was a point when i was getting absolutely nowhere so i changed to a very knowledgeable sports physio and from then on (coincidence i dont know?) ive been doing well.  Is there anything that you are doing with your physio that you think might not be doing your knee any good?  Its a good idea that you are going back to your surgeon if it is still swollen at this stage.  I wrote in an earlier thread exactly what was done in my op so you might want to look it up.

You will play hockey again its just going to take time.  Take care

[stgiles16]

Lets see,,,,,,,,, I am 16 mnths post second microfracture.  I know that mine worked because I had scar tissue surgery last summer and OS checked it out BUTTTTTTT. My knee still swells EVERYDAY , especially in the evenings. I cannot squat with weight on that leg (and my good leg wont let me do it for more than a moment and I have to use my arms to get up) My defect was close to the same size as yours and it was also on the Medial femoral chondyle. I was nwb for 6 wks, partial for 2 more and supposed to use a cane for 2 mnths (didnt really do that last part) I still limp if I walk for any length of time. Twisting my knee can bring on excrusiating pain. I have had other complications besides the original injury so I dont think that I am the norm. I have had bone spurs, plicas, scar tissue issues etc.......

Keep in mind that this is a long recovery. That doesnt make you feel better at all does it? LOL
I too go a long time between OS visits. My OS is in another state so we communicate by e-mail and phone. I am supposed to see him this month but I am thinking of NOT seeing him. My knees and ankle have gotten worse and I just dont want him to know it.

It is absolutely possible that your microfracture is fine, it is also possible that it failed. From your discription, it sounds as if it might be just fine. The only true way to know is a scope.
Try to be patient (I know, easier said than done)
Good luck and talk to your OS.

missy

[blackbeltgirl]

I'm 5 months post-op for a 3x6cm lesion lfc and a 1x3cm lesion trochlear groove.  Both full thickness, and touching at that.

I was only on cruthces about 5 days, and just got cleared by my OS to start trying more activities, provided there's no twisting and the knee bend stays at 70 degrees or less.  My restrictions link to an anticipated ACI in the future - we need to keep the 2 lesions from blending into 1.

I can walk without limping or swelling.  I can climb up and down stairs with pain, but not agony.  I can walk up and down hills again, with pain but not agony.  I mowed my lawn yesterday (my yard is very uneven and VERY steep) with my brace on, and it only took 1 dose of advil to get rid of the pain.

Basically, I am just now starting to really test the knee, and I'm being very cautious about it.  I think I'm no worse off than before the surgery, except I now refuse to keep on going despite the pain.  Before the surgery I didn't know the cause or the cure.  Now I k now how much damage I can do, and the impact it can have on my future. 

as to post-op visits: I saw my OS at 2 weeks, 5 weeks, and 5 months.  He told me I can start trying to go back to some (not all) of my former activities, but to use pain as my guideline on tension, duration, etc.  And if the joint pain increases, I'm supposed to go back.

Hope this helps.
Jess