KNEE ARTHRITIS - Autologous chondrocyte implantation (A.C.I.) :
ACI (Carticel) Patient Website - - Posted by equinox (equinox), 26 February 2003
I've completed my website (after a long period of doing nothing with it) that documents my experience as an ACI (Carticel) patient. I've updated the 'References' section and have some general, final thoughts on the experience. Hope it is of some use to ACI patients and those considering the procedure.
http://users.erols.com/equinox/aci_patient.html
Regards,
Allen C.
Posted by lbdeharak (Linda), 26 February 2003
Hello Allen,
Thank you so much for the web site! I spent a fair amount of time on it prior to my ACI surgery in November. You have done an excellent job!
Since I am a hiker/backpacker I was greatly interested in your return to that activity.
I hope things continue to stay good for you.
Linda
Posted by Hannibal (Hannibal), 15 November 2003
[color=Red][/color]Thanks for doing your website. As a person who has been told by an OS that this surgery is the best bet towards a less painful knee, I've been searching a LOT for people who have been through this. Your website was very helpful to me in learning about the procedure and coming to grips with what is to come. I know that it's going to suck, I know that it will have ups and downs, and I know I'll make it through this. Thanks.
Hannibal the Cannibal
Posted by receo (receo), 16 November 2003
Its not that bad. This wednesday it will be 10 weeks post-op. Who is your doc. I'm in SoCal.
Posted by Hannibal (Hannibal), 16 November 2003
Doc's name is Robert Malstrom. He's out of Pleasanton CA, about 30 minutes North of San Jose. He did a scope on my knee back in January and he says he's done about 40 of these procedures, including around 10 with my particular problem area- patella. It's funny, after digging around on all these postings about ACI, there is such a wide variety of experiences with it. I'm hoping for a relatively mellow recovery. It'll be difficult to be trapped in the house though, I've got a 5 year old son and a 3 year old daughter. After the scope, they had a tendency to forget that daddy had "owwwies" on his knee and they couldn't bounce on it. Should make for an interesting recovery. I'll be trapped in that passive motion machine too so I can't run from them. I wonder if all the "ELMO" books will be entertaining on vicodin....
You happy you went through the procedure?
Hannibal 
Posted by receo (receo), 17 November 2003
Have you read my thread:
http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/cgi-bin/KNEEtalk/YaBB.pl?board=aci;action=display;num=1063395483
FYI: Today I went on a 25 mile bike ride.
Posted by HelenaM (HelenaM), 17 November 2003
I think it's great that someone should take the time to create such a web-site esp useful in the early days of ACI when there wasnt very much information available on-line. Anyone researching ACI, however, must understand that this surgery has improved dramatically over the last few years. The MACI procedure means that only one incision is needed as it is no longer necessary to take the graft from the periosteum on the tibia. Anyone being told different may want to investigate this option further. I've had both knees done now so can speak from experience my last surgery in Aug of this year was a doddle compared to the ACI surgery I had nearly 2 years ago, though similar damage and graft sites, but 2nd time around I had no pain and very little bruising or swelling, the only thing I had to worry about was remembering to use the crutches for 6 weeks. It maybe useful to know that ACI surgery not only varies from country to country but also from surgeon to surgeon, hospital to hospital, there seems to be various protocols brace vs no brace, 6 weeks PWB etc etc. I didnt have a brace at all just 6 weeks PWB.
There is a protocol to follow anyone having the surgery would probably be advised to speak to the OS before considering embarking on anything too strenuous as the grafts need a little time to settle and integrate. Best wishes to anyone getting ACI done, thankfully I've run out of knees now!!
Posted by Hannibal (Hannibal), 17 November 2003
Receo-
Checked out your other thread. Thanks. Helpful info. I've been really pushing it in the gym for the past 6 weeks and will continue until the surgery which will hopefully be some time at the end of Dec. Sounds like you've been pushing the knee the whole recovery time. My doc has talked about real strict rehab rules with minimal weight bearing for the first 6 weeks and crutches, phys therapy, etc. With as jacked up as my knees are, I'll probably wind up following those to the letter.
Hannibal
Updated Mon Mar 22 2010
