Pretty awesome stuff

[surfbum]

11 weeks post-op Denovo NT on MFC and digging the results I'm seeing. Although I still can't see how a sane person would be jogging on this stuff around the 3 month mark, my knee is feeling way more solid and swelling is minimal. This isn't a look-at-me-and-my-awesome-progress kind of post, but rather for those who are considering it; worth every penny so far.

[etrusc0]

Great to hear - please continue to update as things progress.  How long were you on crutches for?  Was the surgery open or done via scope?

[cdubb]

Good to hear.  I'm going in on Dec. 13th for a patella defect with a TTO.  Had ACI on my left last year, but cells at US Bio weren't really any good anymore (very unsual reportedly).  So, going with this vs. having to get another biopsy.

[surfbum]

Great to hear - please continue to update as things progress.  How long were you on crutches for?  Was the surgery open or done via scope?

I was on crutches for 8 weeks. I did the typical NWB week 0-2, PWB week 3-5, progress to FWB by week 8. When I ditched the crutches, I began using an OA unloader brace. This takes weight off of the MFC.

Surgery was an open knee procedure. Dr. went in arthroscopically to confirm damage and do any other needed work (i.e. scar tissue debridement was done). He then made a 5 inch long incision and opened the knee up for Denovo NT placement.

[surfbum]

Good to hear.  I'm going in on Dec. 13th for a patella defect with a TTO.  Had ACI on my left last year, but cells at US Bio weren't really any good anymore (very unsual reportedly).  So, going with this vs. having to get another biopsy.

The surgeon who did mine, Dr. Bert Mandelbaum, has done a lot of ACI procedures and Denovo NT is his first pick.   

[cdubb]

The surgeon who did my ACI and now is also doing my DeNovo NT, Dr. Brian Cole, also does a ton of ACI, but he also does a lot of DeNovo NT and other clinical trials with DeNovo ET, etc.  I'm bilateral, so I am not a candidate for any clinical trial.  I was actually on the Zimmer site and watched the video they have on how to do the graft...pretty sure it's Dr. Cole ....voice sounds just like him and he has a pretty distinct voice, tone and pattern to his speech.  I'll actually be his first patient with one knee with ACI and one with DeNovo.

[surfbum]

Sweeeet...Dr. Cole is a big name. You'll dig it; 11 weeks out and the aching is gone. Of course, my leg looks like my arm and my VMO is completely shot, but the aching is gone ;-)

[cdubb]

I'm almost a year of my left knee ACI/AMZ and my VMO is still shot. I actually still have a fair amount of PF discomfort, but so much improved from pre op.  In light of bilateral, patellar and some alignment issues requiring the AMZ, Cole said he likely can't get me perfect. Improved from preop and more fuctional is all I hope for. Achieved it with my left and now my right seems to be limiting me more. 6 weeks and 2 days til D day!

[etrusc0]

8 weeks to full weight bearing on the MFC is pretty good - ACI takes longer.  I've got an unloader brace as well - that may have been a good idea after the OCA.

Hopefully I won't need any additional surgeries.  Denovo NT is looking like a very good option though.  Anyone have one after an OCA or OATS?

What level of activity have you returned to?  Anyone jogging?  How big was the defect?

[surfbum]

8 weeks to full weight bearing on the MFC is pretty good - ACI takes longer. 

I'm actually following the ACI protocol. It states for patients to be weight bearing by 8-9 weeks.

[surfbum]

Week 15 - feeling better and better. Had some huge gains this last week after starting formal PT. He's got me working my calves because those are totally wasted and mush. No pain at the MFC site...right now just muscle fatigue after walking half way through the day and some bad patella tracking that occasionally locks up the knee. Since working with PT, the patella is starting to track normally again.

[Jwin138]

hey Surfbum,

I am more likely having the denono surgery for a lesion under my patela in January.
at this point - I'm considering whether to do the TTT/AMZ/Osteotomy along with the denovo surgery. My doctor said it increases the chances of the denovo surgeries success - by unloading pressure off of the joint.

Were you given the option for the osteotomy?
Glad to hear your recovery is going well so far!

thanks!


Me?
28 yo Active female.. now.. very inactive.
2009 - Rt knee plica excision (declined to do LR since felt excessive)
May 2011 and on- Rt knee daily pain after heard pop during stretch! countless therapy, shots, pills, RICE, MRI, Xrays (none of these tests caught the lesion!)
Sept 2011 - Rt knee Debridement arthroscopy found 2 Grade III patellar lesions...
Nov 2011- Rt knee Diagnostic scope confirmed lesion to be cause of pain and need LR 18mmx 8mm lesion

[cdubb]

Jwin, I'm having a patella Denovo NT with AMZ on 12/13, I'll let you know how it goes. Feels free to PM me also with questions. I was told that I needed the AMZ with it or it really wouldn't work. I had a patella ACI on my other knee Nov. 2010, but this one my Dr. Is doing Denovo NT due to some problems with my cells in storage. I'm only a few years older than you, so probably similar experiences.

[Jwin138]

Hey Cdubb - thanks for posting back!  I have been reading KG daily for the past few months, possibly hours a day! and think I am familiar with your story- I am going to figure out how to PM you if you dont mind. I would love to pick your brain a little bit

thanks and hope to chat with you soon,
Jess

[surfbum]

hey Surfbum,

I am more likely having the denono surgery for a lesion under my patela in January.
at this point - I'm considering whether to do the TTT/AMZ/Osteotomy along with the denovo surgery. My doctor said it increases the chances of the denovo surgeries success - by unloading pressure off of the joint.

Were you given the option for the osteotomy?
Glad to hear your recovery is going well so far!

thanks!


Me?
28 yo Active female.. now.. very inactive.
2009 - Rt knee plica excision (declined to do LR since felt excessive)
May 2011 and on- Rt knee daily pain after heard pop during stretch! countless therapy, shots, pills, RICE, MRI, Xrays (none of these tests caught the lesion!)
Sept 2011 - Rt knee Debridement arthroscopy found 2 Grade III patellar lesions...
Nov 2011- Rt knee Diagnostic scope confirmed lesion to be cause of pain and need LR 18mmx 8mm lesion

My defect is on the medial femoral condyle and the OS (Dr. Bert Madelbaum) mentioned nothing like that. I am wearing an unloader brace still (a little less and less now that the knee is feeling much stronger) but my OS wasn't even convinced that an unloader brace was necessary; I wanted to take the conservative approach :-)