KNEE ARTHRITIS - Autologous chondrocyte implantation (A.C.I.) :

Need Some Advice on ACI... - - Posted by Jack_Fate (Jack_Fate), 7 August 2004

This is my first post--I've been reading around and thanks for the info.  I finally had my ACI surgery approved and am going to do it as soon as possible (tenatively in 3 weeks).  After reading the posts, I'm pretty discouraged.  I blew out my ACL skiing and had that reconstructed in Feb and thats when they found the defect.  My defect is 2.5 cm2 medial condyle(sp?).  From my doc--he says it's basically big and in the worst place (weight bearing wise).  So I'm tenatively looking at 3 months on full crutches.  
I plan to be back to my old activity level, but I'm seriously wondering if I will ever Ski and Run again.  I'm realizing this is a long rehab that can't be pushed (goes against my personality).  OK, now for the questions:
Does anyone have any good experiences with ACI surgery in the Houston, TX area?  I'm going to doctor shop--I don't think my doc has a lot of experience with the procedure.  I just want to make sure before I invest all this in it--it's done right.
Also, I live an active lifestyle.  Being trapped on the couch for the ACL surgery almost drove me crazy.  Any advice on activity levels that are possible post surgery and the following year.  
Thank you in advance for any info or advice.  I'm really depressed at the moment and am having a hard time seeing the light at the end of this tunnel...........

Posted by BASIL01 (Basil01), 25 August 2004

I was the same and I had no problem...
I used to be a person "on the run" for 18hrs per day so you can imagine how I was feeling when everything turned upsidedown..i.e. spending 18 hrs in bed (do no forget the CPM time)

and to make things worst I decided to quit smoking

So how I manage...To tell you the truth I do not know but  there was no other way either to change your habits or damage your graft and throw $40,000 down the drain.
 
As far as the doctor's past experience is concerned I can comment as follows. It is not a matter of experience but a matter of confidence.
Have the operation done here in Greece..( I was the1st patient with multiple lessions -trochlea, patella and medial femoral condylae) I will make no further comments.
But my doctor was confident, His team was excellent and I had a exellent PT and although his "conservative rehabilitation strategy" i can tell you that it was worthwhile...although this drove  and still drive me nuts.

To have a "novice" doctor is both an advantage and a disadvantage...An advantage because hewill very carefull and need to be successful in order to built up his reputation and a disadvantage because he has not a vast experience.

On the other hand i can assure you that Carticel will not aallow an incompetent doctor to handle such a product



Now after almost 7 months I had never experienced a swelling after the second month still I am not allowed to walk any stairs, not to run orwalk on countryside ( Being a hunter I had a hell of a fight with him since he did not allow me to ) amd apart of some clickings i can walk more than 3 miles and swill more than 2 hours.

Surely i will run again and play tennis  by the end of 2006. I am sure about it...


I hope that i helped you to take a decision...

Should you need any further assistance please do not hasitate to contact me

Posted by kmmbradley (kmmbradley), 31 August 2004

My son, who will be 18 in October had this surgery in Cincinnati on June 9 of this year.   His dr is the team doc for the Bengals, and some local college teams also.  He only did about 30 before my son and never someone as young as my son.  He has since did about 30 more.  He is very cocky and has said that my son's knee was perfect for this surgery and his surgical expertise was perfect.  Needless to say my son is now on the road to complete recovery, we hope?
He is almost painfree and is walking and back to lifting weights.  Doc said he should be able to start running and training (he is a pitcher) by the end of October.  I would totally recommend this to anyone who is young enough.  I don't think once you are diagnosed with arthritis that insurance will pay for this and it is very expensive.  I think my insurance has paid $40,000+ for this procedure.
Good luck and if you have any questions about rehab or the actual procedure just ask.

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