KNEE ARTHRITIS - Autologous chondrocyte implantation (A.C.I.) :
ACI Recovery - - Posted by JulianUK (JulianUK), 26 August 2003
I had the operation in the UK on 6/8/03 and so far so good. I had already had open surgery on my knee in 1989, so I knew about the pain aspect already. I have had OCD since I was 15 and now had 8 operations on my knees. My surgeon said I had two large defects. The first was on my medial femoral condyle and the other under my patella. They were able to cover both with grafts.
I was in a cast for a week to start with and then nothing. I have so far had no major hiccups and am doing gentle tensing exercises as recommended.
I off to a swiiming pool this morning just to gently bend it and for a change of scenery.
I would like to know what major problems people have had and at what stage they occurred. Particularly with respect to any changes in exercises.
I like to share experiences and chat so would be happy to hear from anyone.
Posted by admin (The KNEEguru), 31 August 2003
This may be of interest -
http://www.orthopedictechreview.com/issues/julaug03/pg30.htm
KNEEguru
Posted by lbdeharak (Linda), 5 September 2003
Hi there,
I had an implant last November. I went through the rehab protocal very well until about two moyhs ago. At that point I started getting simaler pains like before the ACI. They scoped it the first week in August and we found out that the implant looks GREAT! Unfortunately I had developed a new defect. The did microfracture on it, so here I am back on crutches.
For me the toughest part with the ACI was the three months on crutches. The next hardest was getting my VMO back. Now I am watching it go away again.
If you want to know anything specific, just ask away.
Good luck to you!
Linda
Posted by JulianUK (JulianUK), 7 September 2003
Linda,
Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear you have another defect, must have been a killer to hear that one.
I certainly agree that the three months on crutches will be hard. I'm nearly at 5 weeks and already getting fed up with the inconvenience.
Did you acccidentally put weight through your bad leg before you were allowed? I ask because I've done it twice, only for a split second and not twisted thankfully. It seems to be going well and I guess we can only hope it works until they look inside after 12 months.
The swelling has gone down a lot and I want to exercise more, but because they have grafted onto my patella they won't let me start swimming or gentle cycling. I'll just have to be patient.
I had microfracture on my right leg two & half yrs ago for a smaller defect. But now it's weight bearing more I'm starting to get soreness in that leg. My consultant thinks I'll need that doing as well.
Hope it goes well for you, keep in touch.
Julian.
Posted by lbdeharak (Linda), 10 September 2003
Hello Julian,
I did put weight on it a few times as well. My OS said that as long as I had the brace on I was fairly safe. At least I know that my graft took and looks great.
Hang in there. I know that the crutch time seems to last forever. It will pass though.
I hope you are doing well!
Linda
Posted by RichardUK (RichardUK), 10 September 2003
Julian
I had ACI in the UK in December 2001 for a defect on the medial femoral condyle and a larger one on the 'trochlea extending across onto the lateral condyle'. My advice is to be patient and to follow the exercises given as much as possible. I would have thought that putting weight on it accidentally on the odd occasion is not likely to do it any harm - I remember asking the same question - and the specialist reassured me of this. However I am no expert - so you need to check this.
My knee has got stronger in the second year. I believe it can take a while for the cells to harden. Building up the muscles is key - so the physios say - so my absolute number one bit of advice is to find yourself a good one - who is encouraging and really is a knee expert.
For me - if I don't exercise the knee each day - it can get stiff - so it is important to keep up that regular exercise - they tell me it stimulates the sinoval fluid (?) in the knee and it generally feels better.
Good luck with your recovery
Richard
Posted by JulianUK (JulianUK), 14 September 2003
Richard,
Many thanks for the word of support. I'm now at week 5 and have started partial weight bearing. Going well so far, I've been lucky because my physio is head of the dept and also an expert on knees. As I'm the first from my hospital to have the operation he's keeping a close eye on my progress as are two consultants. Couldn't be in better hands.
Will do as you say and keep at the exercise for many years to come.
Linda,
Thanks also for the encouragement and the reassurance that you gave me about putting weight through my knee by accident.
regards to you both, will post update in a few weeks when hopefully fully weight bearing.
Julian.
Updated Sat Mar 20 2010
