So I have an old knee injury and I'm considering different treatment options.
I had been holding out for years hoping medical technology would improve and offer more (better) options than were available when I was younger.
Long story short: I have damaged cartilage on one side of my knee and a blown Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Exercise and keeping the quads toned has helped but I have found it necessary to wear a brace for the past few years and I'd like to get this repaired. Not planning to run marathons or play hard games of tennis, but I'd like to get the knee better stabilized.
Was hoping MACI procedure would be ideal where I can use my own cells to grow cartilage scaffold for implantation but the surgeon told me that FDA only approves it up to age 55 (I'm older than that).
So there's partial implant, full implant and maybe a couple other options. I'm even considering medical tourism to see if I can get MACI done somewhere outside the US.
So if anyone here has had work done, please let me know how it's going for you, why you chose the procedure, pros & cons, recovery time and pain management.
Thanks in advance.
I had been holding out for years hoping medical technology would improve and offer more (better) options than were available when I was younger.
Long story short: I have damaged cartilage on one side of my knee and a blown Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Exercise and keeping the quads toned has helped but I have found it necessary to wear a brace for the past few years and I'd like to get this repaired. Not planning to run marathons or play hard games of tennis, but I'd like to get the knee better stabilized.
Was hoping MACI procedure would be ideal where I can use my own cells to grow cartilage scaffold for implantation but the surgeon told me that FDA only approves it up to age 55 (I'm older than that).
So there's partial implant, full implant and maybe a couple other options. I'm even considering medical tourism to see if I can get MACI done somewhere outside the US.
So if anyone here has had work done, please let me know how it's going for you, why you chose the procedure, pros & cons, recovery time and pain management.
Thanks in advance.