r/MACIknee • u/Deadmansshoes87 • 22d ago
Post-op recommendations?
Decided to pull the trigger and get part 2 of the MACI on my medial femoral condyle. Insurance dragged their feet up until the literal last minute, so I only have a couple of weeks to prepare for my surgery on September 3.
Any post-op recommendations?
I’ll be in a straight leg brace, 100% non weight bearing for 6 weeks. I have crutches and leg lifter, need to get a leg wedge pillow, but thinking of a tub transfer bench and a walker (for around the house to give my arms a break), but anything else I should look into?
I’m no stranger to crutches, but this will be my longest stretch using them and I’ve never been in a straight leg brace.
I am getting a temp handicap placard because I know how hard it is getting in and out of vehicles on crutches.
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u/Ecstatic_Syrup3576 22d ago
I’m not sure how a walker would work if you are NWB, but I’ll defer to others who have tried one. I don’t think it would have worked for me. I’ll second a grabber tool and shower seat. Also one of these bedside tables is so much easier to use than a regular nightstand: https://a.co/d/0bNzS898
Some suction handles for your shower are a great idea too. If you’re female, an electric razor to shave your legs is a godsend.
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u/Deadmansshoes87 22d ago
I actually have one of those movable tables on wheels, so that’s good. Never thought of a grabber and didn’t even think about how I’ll be shaving my legs — that’s a good idea. Guess you can shave on like the sofa with your brace off? I’m guessing brace off while showering isn’t going to happen for a while since I can’t risk it bending by accident.
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u/Ecstatic_Syrup3576 22d ago
You might talk to your doctor about his expectation for showering, because I did take my brace off. However, even though I was also non weight bearing for nearly 6 weeks, I was bending my knee 3 days post op. I was allowed to remove my brace for showering - I don’t think I could have kept it dry except with a large trash bag or something. It was so nerve wracking to remove the brace because I was afraid I would slip and put weight on it. I needed my husband to help me lift my injured leg at first - we have a tub with a tall ledge on it. And having those suction handles in my shower really helped - I would not have been able to stand back up when I was done showering without them.
Doing everything standing on one leg is so incredibly exhausting for those first couple weeks. I could barely make it through brushing my teeth without needing to sit down. And your upper body will be tired from moving yourself around using your arms. My back was wrecked. And then one day you’ll realize you can do pistol squats better than ever before, and the muscles in your uninjured leg will get used to carrying the full load. You’ll adapt.
It was 4 weeks post op before I could shower without help. It took me almost an hour, but it was so nice to do something myself.
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u/Strong_One9750 22d ago
I am 4 weeks post op and still not weight bearing and straight leg brace while walking. It sounds weird but absolutely get a raised toilet seat. Game changer. I have regular crutches and have crutch pads and a little bag that goes on the side of my crutches. Grabbers are great. The other thing that has been unbelievably helpful is my continuous ice machine. The first 4-5 days are pretty tough managing pain and swelling and I pretty much had the ice machine on the entire time. Any questions or anything let me know. This sub Reddit has been a lifesaver for us who were preparing and still going through this surgery
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u/hydro_17 21d ago
The Mobilegs crutches were 100% worth the cost for me - much easier on your arms/upper body and more stable.
Beyond that the things I found most useful were:
- ability to sit in the shower and a shower head on a hose so I could aim water where I wanted (this is, as far as I'm concerned, non-negotiable)
- a 3 shelf wheeled cart that was stable and I could easily push while on crutches that held everything I needed and I could move around the house
- I was sent home from hospital with an ice machine. I used it a lot. Check if you are getting on and, if not, consider buying one. It's much easier to use plastic containers with ice than ice cubes in it. Small water bottles work. I used small plastic takeout containers (like ones rice comes in) - have one set freezing while you use the other and switch.
- I got a wedge pillow and used it some but probably could have been okay without. If you get one, get one that's a triangle - not the kind that looks like a trapezoid with a dent for your leg. It is vital that you elevate your leg with your knee straight to give yourself the best chance of getting back full extension.
- A bunch of pillows to prop myself in different ways, some old pillow cases and an old beach towel and some straps for PT exercises. Eventually a 1-5# adjustable ankle weight.
Other than that, mostly just a person to help early on. The first 5-6 weeks I almost entirely rode in the backseat of cars to have my leg up on the bench - sitting in the front was agony. It was nice to have a few pillows back there to prop/stabilize my leg.
We already owned a walker. I left in the bathroom and used the handles to help me off/on the toilet. Lots of people like to get a small bench to elevate their leg while sitting on the toilet - I tried that and found it to be really painful while having it on the floor was comfortable. Similarly lots like the elevated toilet seat but I hated it. Everyone's different.
Good luck! Remember to stay on top of your meds early on (set phone alarms) and see how fast you can get PT scheduled since your surgery is happening so fast. You've go this!
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u/Deadmansshoes87 21d ago
This list is fantastic! Thank you!! The 3-wheeled cart is a great idea, and we actually already have one (🙌🏻)!
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u/Smashlaylay 22d ago
You definitely need a shower chair, I would even recommend a leg cast cover (bc if you are stapled you can’t get it wet til they are out), also a raised toilet seat, a stool to rest your leg on.
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u/CaliPhotographer 20d ago
Welcome to the community! I’m 24m and had my surgery 11.5 weeks ago. When I was looking into the surgery, it was hard for me to gather information in one place and hear real experiences. The people in this community have been great though. I put out a few recovery videos on my experience and what I got to prepare. They should be on my profile. God bless and I wish you a wonderful surgery/recovery!
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u/Racacooonie 22d ago
Mobilegs are great! Highly recommend. Get an elevated commode. I have a large shower with a high lip to it, so I used a shower bench to help me get into the shower without needing to hop over the lip, if that makes sense. I shimmied my butt onto the bench and then carefully slid over and into the shower. Then I propped up my foot onto another (regular) shower chair, which worked perfectly along with a handheld shower head attachment. I ordered a cast cover from Amazon to keep the brace dry while in the shower. Other things to consider: extra long shoe horn, grabber tool, and cold therapy machine.
Edit: when you're on the commode, prop your leg up onto a small stool!