I initially had a simple manisectomy. I had a bleed, a washout and another bleed which wasn't addressed for 2 months because of covid and my original surgeon going on holidays. The fluid buildup in my knee after this basically went hard and locked my knee at around 40deg. I then had a arthroscopic synovectomy (with debrider 😩) which made it worse. Then I found a great surgeon who did an open surgery, then a washout. It's been a year since that one and I've got about 5 - 105deg and maybe 60% strength back. I'm still limping though and favouring the other leg. My knee is super tight and after just a short period of rest, it takes me a few minutes just to be able to walk. My rehab post the last surgery was the opposite of gentle. I really got after it and overdid it every day. This time, the plan is to do arthroscopic surgery with the wand, just targeting the scar tissue that's impinging the knee. Then gentle rehab program. Lots of CPM and normatec boots. I made a contraption that hydraulically bends and straightens my knee which I've found extremely helpful to gain and maintain ROM. Once I get moving, my knee is ok walking for a while but it gets tighter and tighter as I keep moving. When standing, I have to really concentrate to put weight on my bad leg. I assume it is because I haven't got full extension so the bones aren't stacked, relying on my muscles. That's my story, no complaints, just observations. my dicky knee is on a journey to become my strong knee. 😁

Hi there, I'm Drewe and Have been battling AF of the knee for 18 months. I'm about to have another surgery so the journey continues. This will be the 6th associated surgery but I feel better armed with good information than when I started. I'm happy to share any of my experiences with anyone.

Hi Kayley, I'm gonna need a CPM soon (another surgery) so might be interested. I can figure out how to send you a DM. my email is drewewaller@hotmail.com

I really love doing interval swimming sprints in the pool, with a pull buoy. excellent HIIT training. There's also something deeply (pardon the pun) comforting about being in the water. It also provides the opportunity to walk on the leg with the buoyancy taking weight off the leg, cooling the knee and using the lines of the tiles to line up walking with straight knees and feet. you can adjust the level of weight with different depths of water.

Ive found that AF (knee in my case) causes all sorts of adhesions with soft tissue that runs through the knee. So most muscle/ligament chains of the leg are effected. Because of these adhesions and also the poor movement patterns from crutches and limping around and favouring the other leg, cause all sorts of tightness in all kinds of weird places up and down the leg/ lower back. I've found moderate to intense massage of areas other than the knee to be hugely beneficial in recovery and regaining movement. during early recovery post op I'd find a certain movement tricky or impossible (for example straightening back leg into a lunge) I'd show my massage therapist and he'd trace the associated soft tissue chain and find some kind of mess to iron out. over a few sessions he could 'unlock' that mess and I'd gain that movement. we did this for many areas. Massage of the actual knee post surgery, we probably went a bit too hard and it would get quite angry and inflamed/hot but feel looser. I wouldn't recommend that in hindsight. That type of aggressive manipulation of the scar tissue was however quite benefficial after most of the healing was done (for me about 5 months) it felt like it would loosen up the scar tissue and I would immediately exercise into the full range of motion to try and lock in some gains.