Hi, I’m Megan! I created the Arthrofibrosis Knowledge Base, and this is my story.
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February 2023
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I originally injured my knee in a traumatic ski accident in February 2023. After 6 weeks of physical therapy (PT), I had an ACL reconstruction with an unexpected lateral meniscus repair (MRI didn’t show it). I had my surgery with a local surgeon in April 2023 who did not have experience with arthrofibrosis.
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April 2023
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When I woke up in the recovery room, my family said I kept repeating one word: “pain.” When asked to rate it, I screamed “10” again and again. Despite being violently ill from pain medications, covered in vomit, and unable to stand, my medical team placed me in a wheelchair and sent me home, rather than transferring me to a hospital for further care.
I now understand this extreme level of pain creates optimal conditions for arthrofibrosis.
This was, without a doubt, the worst pain of my life, and I wasn’t given adequate pain management. For comparison, I received stronger medication when I had my wisdom teeth removed. My family called the surgeon’s nurse line, pleading for additional pain relief or a higher dose. I was told to take Tylenol. I spent days moaning and crying in agony while my mother sat helpless beside me.
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Pain can trigger self-sustaining fibrotic feedback.
https://www.arthrofibrosis.info/post/why-pain-control-is-important
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June 2023
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During the first week, I was in too much pain to begin PT. Eventually, I started range-of-motion (ROM) exercises and immediately struggled with flexion (bending the knee). I pushed myself to the brink, bending my knee until I cried, but plateaued at 100° flexion. Thankfully, my extension (straightening the knee) was normal.
After doing my own research, I requested a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machine from my surgeon. He agreed, but it was not something he would have otherwise offered. The rental cost $250 for two weeks. I used it for eight hours a day, but it made little difference for me. Others may have better outcomes, especially when the CPM is introduced immediately after surgery.
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Learn more about CPMs
https://www.arthrofibrosis.info/post/a-discussion-about-continuous-passive-motion-cpm
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On June 19, 2023, I had an MUA with the same surgeon, resulting in loss of extension.
This procedure was 11 weeks post-op from my original ACLr + meniscus repair. My surgeon told me that MUAs are most successful within 12 weeks. After the MUA, my flexion was greatly improved (135°), though still quite stiff. Unfortunately, I lost 10° of extension after my MUA.
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July - December 2023
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Losing 10° of extension was absolutely devastating to my daily function.
The average woman has about 6° of hyperextension, while the average man has around 5°. My healthy knee naturally extends 10° past neutral. After the MUA, my operated knee was stuck at 0°, creating a 10° discrepancy between my legs.
Walking with an asymmetrical gait placed abnormal stress on my knees, hips, and back, leading to severe, debilitating pain.
The tendon pain in the surrounding tendons was so intense, I frequently returned to using crutches for days at a time, as nothing — Voltaren, NSAIDs, even cortisone injections — provided lasting relief. The only thing that helped was limiting how much I walked or stood.
Despite this, my physical therapist emphasized muscle-building above all else. I was in agony, yet told to continue with exercises like weighted barbell squats.
I was repeatedly told that my lack of progress was due to not working hard enough.
But pushing through the pain only made things worse. I began to feel clunking and friction deep inside my knee during certain movements. I knew something was deeply wrong inside my knee.