@ennaoj44 I wasn’t very clear.

I was diagnosed with a full thickness, partial width tear. The surgeon warned that the size of the tear couldn’t be assessed because of all the calcification. I had gait issues, strength loss, and pain. The pain had improved by surgery but wasn’t gone. I was starting to compensate and cause knee issues on the opposite side, so I had the surgery. I had also noticed what I think were little micro tears when doing activities after the initial injury.

He got inside, cleaned out all the milky white stuff, and was able to assess the tear. In the end, it was torn away on one side of the thickness, but attached on the other. I guess it was some sort of diagonal, so in reality not a full thickness tear as the radiology report indicated. This was best case for me.

So to answer, no transfer or anything needed because I was still attached. If I had known it wasn’t full thickness then that would have been an additional variable to consider pre-surgery.

Regardless, the recovery is now the same. I am in a brace that limits my knee bend to 60 degrees from flat, so I can’t sit except in a recliner that I don’t have access to. I am not allowed any weight on the right leg, so I effectively can’t lift anything. I’m on walker and crutches and hopping along with my right leg suspended. Since I did have some attachment, I am allowed to toe tap when standing for balance, but not load. I am not permitted any abduction or adduction, so no side to side movement. I am sleeping on my back. I didn’t ask about this, but I think the belt for the brace would be painful on my side. I also think I’d be at risk of adduction or unconsciously reorienting to my back in my sleep and that would not be good.

Being careful is generally easy but there are moments where bad things can happen. There are so many times when you do something without thought, to adjust positioning or whatever. It is interesting climbing into bed while keeping weight off the leg and not doing sideways movements. It is tough to not dig heels into the mattress to shift. I don’t know if this would matter.

The toilet is terrible. The doc thought I’d be able to sit and go. Nope. My brace would lock me out before I could get that low. I have a seat assist contraption that hovers me over and has handles, but even that is really difficult. You lean back to honor the 60, the brace is locked, and the tank is a rear obstacle. It is just a strength and geometry problem. I worry every time and it feels super sketchy. Of course it hurts too, especially in the morning before any ice packs since it is tight.

Showering is tough. The doc told me to get in there standing, remove the brace and clothing, stand on one foot while toe tapping the other lightly for balance. There is a handle, but my left leg is super fatigued all the time. I don’t think I can stand in soapy water long enough to do this safely. Instead I got the tallest shower chair I can find. I get situated so my leg angle is ok and I lean back some and hang on. My wife takes off my brace. I wash waist up and she washes waist down, pretty much. This also feels sketchy but I don’t know what else to do. I’m alternating sponge baths and have considered just shaving my head to make it easier.

Regardless, my consult is next Friday and hopefully I get 90 degrees. It will help so much. Anyways, I hope this helps someone. My house is 3 story and the stairs on crutches are just too tough. Between fatigue, the sore good leg, and my sore hands, it isn’t worth it. I’m just living in my bedroom and master bathroom for now.