ACL and meniscus surgery VLOG | week 1

[@ahmedeldesoky314]

I’m 9 day post ACL/meniscus surgery with a quad graft and your videos have made me laugh and also know that the pain is normal. I’m gonna keep pushing! Thank you for everything you do

[@megmed2860]

Thanks so much for your nice comment! Really glad the videos were helpful and could give you a laugh :). Best of luck in your recovery!

[@eat.dirt.2869]

omg thanks for uploading this video because it’s really helping me mentally prepare for my meniscus and acl surgery in 2 weeks!

[@juanmoreira8272]

Im on day 8 post acl meniscus repair. The ups and downs in the first week are so emotionally taxing. It truly is a day by day experience, but today is a good day for me. Thanks for the content.

[@megmed2860]

I know exactly what you mean--hang in there! It gets so much better as the weeks go on :)

[@Ajgramaglia]

I only got my ACL reconstruction with a quad graft and I’m unbelievably grateful (and surprised) that even today being exactly a week after surgery, I have felt zero pain from the surgery from the day of till the time I’m typing this. The only pain I have is the brace rubbing against the bruising from my thigh causing a painful pressure point. I also was on top of general pain meds from Motrin, Tylenol and baby aspirin for blood clots. But even my dad tore his ACL multiple times and also got a full knee replacement and he told me he’s shocked and jealous that I have no pain (incision wise). Decided to stay at my dads while recovering considering he’s been through this before and he knows how to help me so I’m very grateful for him

[@megmed2860]

Wow, that's awesome! Glad you don't have to deal with the pain. Best of luck in the rest of your recovery!

[@Ajgramaglia]

@@megmed2860 I’ve VERY surprised it’s going good enough as it is haha and thank you!

[@EVroller]

I watched this video a couple of weeks ago. Today, I had my ACL/meniscus surgery. Your videos are really helping me a lot. I definitely started taking the stool softeners right when I got home, lol. I had the same issue with my nerve block-seems like the anesthesiologist... never mind 😐. I woke up in 10/10 pain, and that kind of ruined the experience so far. The silver lining is that I've been applying to CRNA schools, so at least it's been a beneficial experience for me. :) thank you for your videos

[@megmed2860]

I'm glad the videos have been helpful and I'm so sorry you're going through so much pain :( it does get better, just hang in there! Best of luck in your recovery and in your journey to CRNA school!

[@melsgalleria]

OMG, I so understand what you were talking about with people coming to talk to you. I apparently am very approachable as it is, and it is way worse when I have been injured. When I was on crutches or had a neck brace on everyone wanted to talk to me about it. It is so strange.

[@colinxu8227]

Hi Meg. I’m getting my surgery tomorrow and I’ve watched all of your videos and learned so much from your experience.

[@megmed2860]

I'm so glad the videos have helped! Good luck with your surgery and recovery :)

[@colinxu8227]

@@megmed2860 the surgery went well. I already started walking small steps at pt. without crutches.

[@highflier2007]

Hey! I had my ACL reconstruction and meniscus stitching on Tuesday - 4 days ago - it’s been on off pain. But the bad bad pain only lasts 2 days, it does get better even though it will feel like it will never go away, if magically does lessen after 2 days , then on off from there . Also, I had the similar experience of the “never block” not working - so I was a lot of pain right from the recovery room - I was told because of the medicinal CBD oil that I take that causes the nerve block yo not work as well - so remember to tell your doctor if you are taking ohe too . I wish you all the very best

[@mac_mitts]

I tore my meniscus bucket handel tear acl sprain but i think i have torn Acl Also because it has already been 3 months i am totally screwed i need to do a surgery but having trouble to take care of my monthly bills i really have no idea what to do 😢 But thank you so much for making this video please keep updating

[@arjundhankani7696]

ACL Reconstruction + Meniscus Repair coming up on Wednesday. My MCAT was scheduled to be january but looks like thats getting pushed back, hella scared about the pain tho and the no weight bearing 6 weeks.

[@megmed2860]

Ugh I'm sorry, that's already a stressful time with the MCAT and I'm sure the stress/anxiety of surgery makes it overwhelming. I would definitely recommend pushing the test back if you don't think you'll be ready--way better to wait than to have to retake! On the bright side, once you get past the initial pain of surgery you will have plenty of time for MCAT studying to take your mind off your knee while you're non-weight bearing! I found that having my work for med school helped me stay occupied and not focus on my lack of physical activity. Best of luck to you!

[@brxdiee5957]

hey there! I had My acl and meniscus fixed 5 years ago, it does get better... SLOW... but gets better! The numbness in your lower leg might stick around as i still dont have feeling from my shin down haha. Keep your brain busy, you got this!!

[@megmed2860]

That is great to hear!! Glad you got through it, that gives me hope :) Thank you!!

[@MaryettaGraves]

hi! i had my first knee surgery 10 years ago but re tore my ACL and tore the back of the meniscus in my left knee and this time the recovery was swift and easy. i opted for the 3-day post-surgery nerve block (which i got done awake the day of surgery) it was bliss! and now I'm 5 (almost 6) months post op and still dealing with PT. glad I'm getting back to normal :) good luck with the recovery! also, side note, 3 days post op and removed the numbing catheter i took my shower and looked at my knee and it looked like i got a good swing to the knee lol ( i was suuuuuuuper bruised lol) also, i was only allowed to TTWB (Toe-Touch Weight Bear) for 2 weeks which but not as fun as being asleep the majority of my recovery from the narcotics lol. my pump was different lol i had a computerized version of it. i had the nimbus pump thingy. also, I couldn't afford the big ice wrap and the CPM thingy because stupid Medicaid doesn't cover that thing lol. .

[@megmed2860]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm glad you're recovering well!!

[@emmabiascochea6226]

@MaryettaGraves I had my acl and meniscus surgery on Thursday, OMG the pain is horrible 😫. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to be walking because the knee is still not stable and I have throbbing pain. Thank you for ur vids it's helpful

[@megmed2860]

I'm so sorry to hear you're in a lot of pain :( It might be useful to double check with your doctor about walking if you had a meniscus repair as well, because I wasn't allowed to walk for 6 weeks after my surgery since I had a meniscus repair (and my knee felt very unstable and painful as well). I hope the pain gets better, hang in there!!@@emmabiascochea6226

[@Gemyyi]

Iam on day 4 post meniscus repair, watching ur really interesting videos, just asking when did u start going to PT as my doctor postoponed it till i get the sutures out, thanks for sharing ur experience

[@megmed2860]

I believe I started PT about a week after my surgery. My doctor said I could've theoretically started the day or two after surgery but I was in too much pain. I think it's different depending on the type of surgery/doctor preference!

[@poonamkhatri3914]

Thanks for sharing your story, praying for your good health. And there are people like MK lovlif who has a KZbin channel saying really nasty things against cancer patients and their families. Can't we do anything about it?

[@MaryettaGraves]

they also unscrewed the usless screws i had in my knee and replaced it with buttons

[@nicoleshort7358]

I got have surgery on December 4th I have meniscus tear and my acl is sprain

[@kingnothing2024]

Hey, I’ll go for acl+plc+meniscus surgery on 31st august 2023. It sounds super scary already. It’s like you see the pain lord is coming but you have to embrace it. Wish you successful rehab. Stay Strong

[@megmed2860]

Best of luck in your surgery and recovery! Don't let it scare you, you can do this!

[@leberube]

You're doing great! Only up from here :)

[@megmed2860]

❤❤❤

[@_.Abdullah._]

Had my surgery 2 days ago, as soon as i woke up in the post operation room i was in so much pain i almost cried and there was a guy beside me that had the same surgery and we woke up around the same time and he said that its not even that painful and that i was over exaggerating, we came to find out that the spinal anesthesia (the nerve blocker) worked for him but didn't work for me.

[@megmed2860]

@@_.Abdullah._ oh no I’m so sorry that happened, I had the same happen to me! So much pain!! I hope the pain is more under control for you now. Hang in there, it gets a lot better! Best of luck!

[@MaryettaGraves]

can relate to the friendliness of people. i did the same thing until i was like 5 days into the recovery and had a lot of people ask what happened lol.

[@pharmbert]

My 15 yo daughter is due for a quadriceps autograft in a few weeks. We had one ortho suggest adding L.E.T. and another advise against it. What made you decide to add LET?

[@megmed2860]

This is something I actually went back and forth about. I was not going to have the LET until the day of surgery when I asked last minute if they could add it on! I was told by the surgeon that it was something that could give the new ACL extra stabilization from "twisting forces" and prevent re-tear if I wanted to return to more intense activity. I originally told him I didn't need it, as I figured my adult soccer career was over anyways (lol), but when I thought more about it, I would like the option of doing some more cutting/pivoting sports like tennis, pickleball, etc without worrying as much about my knee. I think the LET is more common with the hamstring graft since that graft seems to be a bit weaker than the quad graft, but in my mind it was just an added piece of stabilization that would protect me from re-tearing the new ACL. With all that being said I do think the added procedure of the LET made my recovery a bit more intense/prolonged because it was a lot to do to that one area in one surgery! I would be really interested to hear why one surgeon advised against it for your daughter? My surgeon made it seem like younger patients especially would benefit from it since they are more likely to return to more intense sports/activities.

[@pharmbert]

@@megmed2860 My daughter plays club soccer and that extra stabilization is why we're having a hard time deciding one way or the other. The ortho that advised against it said that ACL reconstruction is rebuilding something that was already there while LET is introducing an unnatural force to the knee. He does add LET in some patients but didn't think my daughter's knee required the extra support. I think we're in that in between time where more LET is being done and the results are positive, but we don't have enough numbers and long term data to make it a standard of care. I would lean toward getting it for myself, but my daughter is still young and it's hard to know what the right decision is for her when she'll have to live with that decision for the next 60 years.

[@megmed2860]

Yes such a hard call, as you said there isn't enough data to make a truly informed decision. I was trying to research it before my surgery and had a hard time coming up with any good information one way or the other. I wish I was further out to be able to tell you my experience with it long term! Overall, in my opinion, while you are rebuilding something that was already there, it will never be the same as the native ACL, which is why I leaned toward the LET for extra stabilization. Then again, data from quad tendon that has been published points to it being a very strong graft choice so it could be totally fine without the LET as well. I'm not sure if you've seen the ACL thread on reddit yet, but there's a lot of helpful info from people who have experienced this first hand and talk about their long term outcomes. I usually just google things like "LET stabilization ACL reddit" and some good threads come up. Best of luck to your daughter in this process! Let me know if you have any other questions, more than happy to answer! @@pharmbert

[@Kuboyamaful]

I had the LET with my ACLR quad autograft. It is a lot of scar tissue - this is my second reconstruction on knee. Previous surgery was hamstring and overstretched, which caused the retear.

[@alanchen1421]

​@pharmbert , my daughter (level 9 on gymnastic) is also 15yrs, and will have the same ACL reconstruction with quad tendon as the graft. Might I ask if your daughter did the LET? If she did, how is she doing now? My daughter will have her 1st surgery in 6 days. Thank you.

[@CBASSS12]

Wow. Thanks for sharing. I’ve watched multiple journeys and yours is the closest to my own. I just had surgery 2 days ago. My nerve block also didn’t work and I was in excruciating pain when I woke up until pretty much noon the next day. I watched a vlog of this D1 athlete that started PT the day after surgery I was like WTF! Lmaooo. I would literally die 😂

[@megmed2860]

I know, it’s so crazy how different it is for everyone! Hang in there, the pain does get better eventually. Patience has been the biggest challenge for me in this process. Best of luck in your healing!

[@hassanhijazi-m6f]

Hi, I hope you're doing well. Just wanted to know what kind of meniscus was repaired and how are you now after 7 months.

[@megmed2860]

Hi! I had a radial tear in my lateral meniscus. I'm doing well--I am making another update video soon so stay tuned!

[@MaryettaGraves]

also get crutch cushions :) your armpits will thank you

[@roddym7m]

Hello! I'm having the surgery in the next couple of days. So my question is: After the surgery, how long were you at the hospital before going home?

[@megmed2860]

It was an outpatient surgery so usually they just keep you in the recovery/post-op room after surgery until you wake up from anesthesia and then you're good to leave! (They require you to have someone come pick you up since you can't safely get yourself home after the surgery). I think this usually takes around an hour or so. It took a little longer for me because I woke up and was in a lot of pain because my nerve block didn't work, so they gave me more pain meds and told me to sleep for longer in the recovery room. Best of luck with your surgery and recovery!

[@roddym7m]

@@megmed2860 Thank you very much. :) I'm definitely gonna use your videos as a guide throughout the whole process haha

[@ethanpaonessa6642]

How are you able to walk??? I completely ruptured mine 3 weeks ago and I can’t even walk!!

[@megmed2860]

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that! I walked with crutches after I fist injured it and did some PT to get back to normal walking before going in for surgery to repair it. After surgery I couldn't walk for about 7 weeks since I had my meniscus repaired as well. It's very tough but you will make progress eventually! Stick with it and best of luck!

[@ethanpaonessa6642]

@@megmed2860 thank you so much! I also have a grade 2 sprain in my mcl and grade 1 in my pcl and other minor injuries that will heal over time! So far everyday it gets easier but I have no stability in my knee and easily shifts if I try to walk! I’m able to “somewhat walk with crutches or a walker. But as of today I was cleared for pre-hab to go into surgery! Then do it all over again after surgery! My ortho surgeon looked at my mri scans and so far my meniscus seems perfectly ok but wouldn’t know till she gets in there. Let’s hope for the best!

[@ethanpaonessa6642]

@@megmed2860 watching your videos of your journey really helps me of what is to come in the future! So thank you!

[@ethanpaonessa6642]

@@megmed2860 update! I just got my surgery today! I had two miniscius tears! One will heal on its own and the other they had to stitch and of course they did the patella acl reconstruction! I don’t feel my leg at all Becsuse if the nerve blockers but I’m doing ok! I’m currently rewatching your videos haha!

[@chickenclips]

I'm on day 6 after complete MCL, ACL and meniscus tear. Post op today I'm damn down. I've been feeling quite good and today it's just bad. Feel sick and in pain as if something has gone wrong. Sucks 😢. Anyways, part of the process. Be strong injured friends.

[@megmed2860]

I'm so sorry to hear that :( I remember a lot of days I had like that early on, but I promise it does get better with time! If you are really worried about the pain etc I would encourage you to reach out to your doctor to check if all seems to be ok. Hang in there!

[@chickenclips]

@@megmed2860 thank you for your videos and kind words. You really do help a lot of us out here.

[@highflier2007]

Also, I want to mention, everyone’s pain is different and surgery techniques are differbt, so don’t feel bad if you are in pain, btw I honestly don’t know how it DOES NOT pain for someone coz if does pain a lot first couple days especially and I thought people should know to prepare better

[@wadehamlin]

How long were you on your crutches?

[@megmed2860]

For 6 weeks!

[@tausifattar6273]

which anesthesia given to the surgery?

[@megmed2860]

I was under general anesthesia!

[@tausifattar6273]

@@megmed2860 full sedation under the surgery.

[@tausifattar6273]

@@megmed2860 how was the pain after surgery it's. Bearable or not?

[@megmed2860]

@@tausifattar6273 For me it was pretty painful because the nerve block that I got before surgery didn't seem to work very well and I had pain right away when I woke up. However, it varies a lot for different people and I have heard of some people who have very minimal pain! So don't let my experience scare you, and even with the pain, I got through it!

[@MaryettaGraves]

also my knee wanted to bend when i took my first shower lol

[@MaryettaGraves]

i also pulled the catheter thing out myself because i can stomach that rather than my best friend lol.