The foods you eat affect the rest of your body. Different foods can really impact your healing after orthopedic surgery such as the MACI Procedure, the revolutionary stem cell therapy we offer for the treatment of knee pain. Read below to learn about some of the best foods to eat when you are recovering from surgery. All these foods are particularly important to include in your diet after surgery but will also help to decrease all joint pain.
Berries (Anti-Inflammatory & Vitamins)
Packed with antioxidants and high levels of vitamin C, berries are one of the best foods you can eat to fight inflammation and encourage healing. Vitamin C is helpful with restoring soft tissues and collagen, which will speed up the healing of your incision.
Inflammation is not all bad. It is a natural and important part of any healing process. But it must be kept in check and prevented from increasing indefinitely. Eating blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and goji berries is a good way to help control inflammation.
Fish & Nuts (Vitamin Absorption)
You have undoubtedly heard of omega-3 fats. Fish and nuts are loaded with this good form of fat. The beneficial effects of incorporating foods with this type of fat into your diet involve helping vitamins to absorb better, allowing your body to utilize them more effectively. Healthy fats from fish and nuts also improve your immune system and help increase energy levels post-surgery.
Dark Leafy Greens
You can’t beat adding dark, leafy greens to your diet when recovering from surgery. They are one of the most recommended foods to promote healing after surgery. These vegetables are packed with high amounts of vitamins A, C, and E. They also contain a good amount of vitamin K, which is a lesser-known vitamin that is important to aid blood clotting.
Dark leafy greens are a good source of fiber, iron, and electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These foods also help to absorb B-complex vitamins as they contain a lot of water, and the B vitamins are water-soluble. They absorb better when a good amount of water is present.
Some good choices include spinach, kale, Bok choy, Swiss chard, romaine lettuce, and mustard greens. Eat them raw in a salad, cooked as a side dish with sinner, or blending them into a smoothie.
Eggs
Eggs are not only high in protein, but they also give your body a good dose of zinc. This mineral is an MVP in healing tissue damage and supporting your immune system.
Eggs are a near-perfect healing-promoting food and are highly recommended after recovering from surgery. Along with 6 grams of protein and zinc, eating one egg will give you Vitamins A, E and K, B complex vitamins, riboflavin, folic acid, calcium, and iron.
Eggs are an incredibly versatile food and easy to digest. You can poach them, scramble, boil them, add them to salads or use them as an ingredient in recipes. They are easily prepared in a variety of ways so that you can easily change things up as you progress in your healing.
Losing mobility frequently leads to a loss of independence. Knee pain is one of the most common symptoms that can lead to a loss of mobility. Luckily, most knee pain can be effectively treated. The MACI Procedure has one of the highest success rates for the treatment of joint pain in the knee. It is a state-of-the-art treatment that we are proud to offer.
What is MACI?
MACI (Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) is a minimally invasive orthopedic surgery that is indicated for cartilage damage in the knee. The procedure consists of using autologous stem cell therapy. The term ‘autologous’ refers to the use of stem cells from your own body to grow new, healthy cartilage.
MACI is groundbreaking in the field of orthopedics. Knee pain is often caused by cartilage damage. After seeing an orthopedic doctor who will determine a diagnosis of the root cause of your pain, they may recommend the MACI procedure.
The procedure itself is straightforward, uncomplicated, and has a success rate of up to 85%. Other, more invasive surgeries require longer recovery periods and are more involved, which usually means more pain. Recovery from MACI is less painful, and the progress you will make to return to all activities is easier and faster.
You can expect full range of motion restored in the knee and the ability to fully weight bear with no protective brace on your knee joint in 8 to 12 weeks.
3 Things You’ll be Thankful to Have Back after MACI
Below are examples of three activities that are second nature to you now. But once you require knee surgery, you may be in danger of losing these functions and will most likely do anything to get them back. These are just examples; they may not apply to you - and there are many more.
Simple, daily activities that you don’t need to think twice about when your knee joints are fully healthy are at risk of being compromised when there is deterioration of structures in the knee. Having the MACI Procedure can almost guarantee that these functions will not be lost forever.
Do You Qualify?
Most of the population would qualify as a candidate for the MACI Procedure. However, there are a minimal number of contraindications having to do with age, location of the cartilage damage allergies, and prior conditions and procedures. These are:
You may have heard about the revolutionary MACI Procedure for knee pain and want to know what it would be like to have it. We want to help with that curiosity. Read below to learn about the procedure, who it’s appropriate for, and hear from a satisfied patient.
What is MACI?
MACI (Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) is a specialized treatment for knee pain that not all orthopedic surgeons offer as you must be specially trained to perform this procedure.
It is a stem cell therapy meant for knee pain indicated for cartilage defects in the knee. Cartilage damage is the cause of most knee complaints. The stem cells used in this procedure are autologous - meaning cells from your own body that are targeted for cartilage repair.
The MACI procedure involves a 2-step process, the first of which consists of harvesting a sample of chondrocytes from your knee. These are the stem cells - chondrocytes are precursor cells that grow into cartilage. The sample extracted from a non-weight-bearing position of your knee is done arthroscopically.
Arthroscopic procedures are short, simple, and painless. Your surgeon will make a very small incision in your knee into which a tiny camera on a thin tube is inserted into your knee. The camera functions as a guide for your surgeon as it displays an internal image onto a monitor.
Once extracted, we ship these cells to a dedicated MACI lab. Here they are implanted onto a collagen matrix bed and specially treated to encourage growth of the chondrocytes into new cartilage. After about a month, the new cartilage can function on its own and your MACI implant is created.
Now you will be ready to undergo the second phase of the procedure. This step involves surgically implanting your MACI implant over or in place of the area of damaged cartilage. The implant is quite flexible and strong. It can be trimmed to an exact fit needed for cartilage repair, whether by covering or replacing the damage.
Your surgeon uses a fibrin sealant to affix the implant in place which makes sutures unnecessary. The new cartilage from the MACI implant absorbs into your tissue.
Meet Abby
One of many patient testimonials on the MACI website is Abby whose story will probably be relatable to many people reading this. Abby was a college athlete who participated in competitive sports for most of her life.
Suddenly, she found herself sidelined with knee pain but determined to get back in the game. She and her doctor decided that MACI would be the best option for her. After completing rehab after the surgery with the same focus and determination she always gave to her athletic endeavors, she was back to participating in all her most beloved activities.
She states “MACI impacted me in a lot of ways. By resolving my knee pain, it brought me back to doing what I love; running, biking, and just being active with my family and friends.”
Is MACI right for you?
MACI is right for nearly anyone within a certain age range. That range is 18-55 years old. The safety and efficacy of MACI have not yet been verified for patients outside this span.
When your doctor determines that cartilage damage is the cause of your knee pain you are likely a suitable candidate for the MACI Procedure. And the versatile nature of the MACI implant allows multiple areas to be treated at the same time, if needed. This list below encompasses common areas of knee injury that were historically difficult to treat but, thanks to MACI, are now easily treatable. These include:
Contact Us
Consider MACI with Dr. Burke, you will not be disappointed. Schedule a consultation with us at DR. Burke Orthopedics in Pearland, TX by calling (713) 436-3488.
Has your knee been bothering you for a long time and you’ve been to several doctors to seek relief to no avail? Or you’re simply wary of having the recommended procedure such as a knee replacement. Read on to find out about how the MACI Procedure can fix your knee problems in a much less invasive, painful way that requires less downtime.
Cartilage Loss: A Common Issue for Active Individuals
Cartilage damage is the most common reason that your knee hurts, whether it’s from an acute knee injury or a long-term wear and tear type scenario. Cartilage repair is the crux of MACI and can have you back to enjoying the activities you love in less time than it would take from more invasive procedures.
So, whether you’re an athlete or just a very active person and you find yourself limiting the things you do because of knee pain – cartilage damage is probably to blame.
What is the MACI Procedure?
The MACI (Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) procedure is a treatment for knee pain using autologous stem cell therapy. It is a minimally invasive surgery, indicated for knee cartilage damage.
‘Autologous’ refers to the stem cells used in the MACI Procedure. They are yours, harvested from your own body and completed arthroscopically from a non-weight-bearing position of the knee. The extracted cells consist of chondrocytes, which are the building blocks of cartilage. This is the first step of a 2-step process for this procedure.
Arthroscopic procedures are short and simple. They involve making a very small incision in which your surgeon inserts a thin tube into your knee, on the end of which is a very tiny camera. This camera displays an image onto a monitor that your surgeon uses as a guide.
We then ship these stem cells to a specialized lab dedicated to the MACI Procedure. There, the cells are implanted onto a collagen membrane that encourages growth into fresh new cartilage. As soon as the new cartilage is ready to survive and function on its own, your MACI implant is created.
Now, you are ready for the second phase which involves surgically inserting the implant over or in place of the damaged area. The implant can be trimmed to an exact fit to cover or replace the damage.
The implant absorbs into your tissue. Sutures are generally not required as a fibrin sealant is used to fix the implant in place.
Recovery is easier, less painful, and requires less downtime than many other orthopedic surgeries.
When you wake up from surgery, your leg will be locked in a brace that you need to wear for about 6 weeks. Full motion and weight-bearing of the knee without the brace is expected within 8 to 12 weeks.
How Dr. Burke and the MACI Procedure Can Help You Get Back on Track
This procedure boasts a high success rate and is a wonderful option that we provide, that is not offered by all orthopedic surgeons. Dr. Burke is specially trained in the technique.
The MACI Procedure is a revolutionary orthopedic surgery. Knee pain can limit everything you try to do in life. If your knee is bothering you, come see our team at Dr. Burke Orthopedics to determine the root cause of the issue. You may find that you are a candidate for the MACI Procedure to fix your knee pain once and for all.
MACI is a game-changing treatment for managing knee pain. Keep reading to learn about the procedure and why it is fast becoming the gold-standard treatment to help your knee.
What is the MACI Procedure?
The MACI Procedure (matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) is a minimally invasive orthopedic surgery indicated for cartilage damage in the knee that causes pain. The procedure is an autologous stem cell therapy, which means that the stem cells used in MACI are harvested from your own body.
Knee pain is quite common, and the most common cause of it is cartilage damage. If your knee is painful, an orthopedic specialist such as our providers at Dr. Burke Orthopedics can accurately diagnose the cause. If they determine you are having pain because of damaged cartilage within the joint, your doctor may recommend that you have the MACI procedure.
The procedure consists of a 2-step process. The first phase involves extracting a sample of chondrocytes from your knee joint, which are the precursor cells needed to grow new cartilage. The sample, harvested from the knee in a non-weight-bearing position, is done arthroscopically.
The extracted chondrocyte cells are then sent to a lab to be specially treated and grow new cartilage. After about a month, the new cartilage can survive on its own and your MACI implant is created.
The second step of the process consists of surgically inserting your MACI implant over or in place of the damaged cartilage. MACI implants are flexible and strong, and they can be trimmed to a custom fit of the damaged cartilage.
A High Success Rate, and What That Means
The success rate of this procedure is 80-85%. Patients who have undergone the procedure are regularly asked to rate their percentage of improvement in function and symptoms. 0% means no improvement following surgery. 100% improvement means that all pain and function limitations experienced before surgery are now resolved.
Not many surgeries reach that level of success. A higher rate of success was confirmed in a study by SUMMIT. The study followed up with patients both 2 and 5 years after surgery when compared to microfracture.
Is MACI Right for You?
MACI is a wonderful option available to you to choose over more invasive surgeries that need longer recovery times. Recovering after this procedure is less painful than many other orthopedic surgeries.
The safety and efficacy of the MACI Procedure have not been determined for patients outside of 18-55 years of age.
Also, some contraindications exist that you should consider before opting for this procedure.
Sources:
What is Maci?
MACI (matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) is a state-of-the-art orthopedic procedure for fixing knee pain. If you have knee pain, cartilage damage is often to blame. One of our orthopedic doctors can provide an accurate diagnosis and if they determine that the cause of your knee pain is cartilage damage, you may be a candidate for the MACI procedure.
The MACI procedure is a simple, minimally invasive surgical option that uses autologous stem cells. ‘Autologous’ means that these cells are harvested from your own body. It is a two-step process consisting of 2 short procedures requiring about a month in between the two phases.
Minimally Invasive, Little Downtime
The first phase of MACI is minimally invasive that uses arthroscopy, meaning that your surgeon inserts a tiny camera into two or three small incisions to examine the inside of your knee. During this procedure, your surgeon will remove a small piece of cartilage from a non-weight-bearing area of the knee as well as take a few photos to record the areas of cartilage damage.
Your doctor’s office ships these cells to a lab where they are grown into fresh new cartilage. When the cells are ready, they are returned to your surgeon as your MACI implant. The second stage of the procedure involves placing this implant in the knee to cover or replace the damaged area. It is performed on an outpatient basis well as the first phase and does not require a night in the hospital.
The MACI Procedure is associated with better outcomes, at upwards of 85% for ridding knee pain, and less downtime than previous gold-standard treatments for knee pain, such as microfracture.
Return to Normalcy Quickly
Stem cells grow and reproduce quickly, allowing you a faster recovery and return to normal function. A research article published in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, “MACI may permit an accelerated return to full WB and exercise.”1
Many post-op patients can return to sedentary work aftertwo to four weeks. Participation in more involved activities and high-impact sports takes about six months in most cases, however, it may be appropriate for you to engage in lower-impact physical activities much sooner.
Expectations After MACI
You will wake up wearing a brace on your knee after completion of the second phase. The brace is locked in a straightened position to protect the new implant and help it heal but can be unlocked for bending the knee when sitting. When standing, there is a limit on the amount of weight you can bear on the leg. Generally, weight bearing as tolerated is permissible. The brace is worn for around 6 weeks.
Physical therapy is key to your recovery to regain your full range of motion and strength. Everyone experiences different rates of healing. Though there are guidelines and a general timeline for return to activity, your physical therapist will tailor your rehab program to your unique needs, and it may take a longer or shorter time. But on average, the time frame for recovery is freedom from the brace and full range of motion and weight-bearing in 8 to 12 weeks. Full recovery generally takes 9 to 12 months.
Complications arising from this procedure rarely occur. Without unforeseen hiccups, you can expect a pain-free, full return to function and sport after about a year.
Sources
MACI (Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation) Procedure is a revolutionary stem cell therapy for the treatment of knee pain caused by cartilage damage. It is a minimally invasive surgical option that uses stem cells from your own body.
Matrix-Induced Chondrocyte Implantation
MACI is an acronym that stands for Matrix-Induced Chondrocyte Implantation. “Matrix-induced” refers to where the cells ultimately used for regeneration and reparation of the damaged cartilage live for a while. Healthy chondrocyte cells are harvested from your knee and placed onto a collage matrix where they to grow into fresh, new cartilage. When mature enough, these newly grown cartilage cells grown on the collage matrix become your MACI implant.
The MACI Procedure Process
MACI is a simple two-step process. The first step involves the harvesting of a sample of healthy chondrocytes from your knee. Chondrocytes are the precursor cells responsible for the formation of cartilage. This sample is extracted arthroscopically, meaning that your surgeon inserts a tiny camera into the knee in a non-weight-bearing position via a very small incision.
The camera displays an image of the inside of your knee onto a monitor that guides your surgeon. This stage of the procedure takes about half an hour on an outpatient basis, and you will go home the same day.
The extracted sample of chondrocytes is then shipped to a lab, specially treated, and grown into new, healthy cartilage tissue.
Around a month later, the sample of cells extracted from your knee reaches maturation and are healthy, new cartilage cells. The mature sample is your MACI implant. It is then shipped back to your surgeon and implanted into your knee. The implant is very strong and flexible and can be cut to match the exact shape and size of the damaged cartilage.
The second phase of this procedure is also performed on an outpatient basis and does not require a night in the hospital.
Recovery After MACI
As your MACI implant resorbs back into your tissue, you will find that recovery from this procedure is easier and less painful than many other orthopedic surgeries.
After completion of the second phase of the procedure, you will wake up wearing a brace on your leg that is locked in a straightened position to protect the new implant. You need to wear this brace for about 6 weeks.
The brace can be unlocked for bending the knee when sitting, but there will be a limit on the amount of weight you can bear on the leg when standing. Usually, some weight bearing is allowed as tolerated.
Following the first days of recovery, you will need to go through a course of physical therapy to regain full range of motion and strength. Your physical therapist individualizes your rehab program to your unique needs. Each person will experience a different rate of healing, but the average time frame for recovery that one can expect is liberation from the brace and full range of motion and weight-bearing in 8 to 12 weeks. Full recovery generally takes 9 to 12 months.
Expectations After MACI
Complications arising from this procedure are rare. Barring any unforeseen stumbling blocks, after full recovery has taken place, you should expect a pain-free, full return to function and sport.
No one is immune from an orthopedic injury. They happen to everyone, no matter where someone lies on the spectrum of novice to elite athlete. Below are 3 names you may recognize that suffered severe orthopedic injuries recently.
Kevin Durant, MCL Sprain
The first name you may recognize is Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets. Earlier this month, he sprained his right MCL in a game during a collision with a member of his opposing team. The MCL is in the knee, it’s called the medial collateral ligament. It exists on the inner side of the knee connecting the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (lower leg bone). Its function is to stabilize the knee and primarily prevent valgus stresses. A valgus stress on the knee is a blow to the outside of the knee and forces it inward. The MCL also protects against rotational forces, but not as much.
When those forces override the strength of the ligament, it will sprain or tear. Even in professional athletes. And guess what? This is his second MCL sprain in a year. Last year in the same month, he sprained the MCL of his other knee.
He will be out for at least a few weeks because of this injury. Human beings need rest and downtime to recover from an injury and there is no shame in that.
Matt Waletzko, Shoulder Subluxation
Let’s switch to football, where shoulder injuries are fairly common. Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle learned this firsthand this year. And this is not his first time receiving this lesson, it’s his third. Three times in 2022 he has subluxed his left shoulder, the latest in October.
A shoulder subluxation is a step before complete dislocation. The bones are still in their proper places, they have not fully dislocated, but the ligaments holding the shoulder together have been severely stretched. They are very lax and no longer provide proper support to the shoulder.
Third time’s a charm, right? He had surgery for this recurring condition and will be out for the rest of the season.
Deebo Samuel, Ankle Sprain
Samuel Deebo of the San Francisco 49ers has an impressive injury history. One of his more recent injuries from December is a high ankle sprain. There are two types of ankle sprains, high and low. Unfortunately, he suffered the more extreme of the two.
What everyone thinks when they hear ‘ankle sprain’ is a low one. This means that a ligament connecting the very bottom of the lower leg bone to the foot is overstretched and no longer able to provide support. A high ankle sprain is...higher. It involves the overstretching of the ligament that connects the bottom of the two bones in the lower leg, the tibia and fibula. High ankle sprains generally have a worse prognosis.
Thankfully, he avoided a very serious injury and is already back on the field.
Contact us
Injuries happen to us all. You can’t avoid an orthopedic injury or two, or many more throughout your lifetime. If you do suffer an injury, know that we’ve all been there, and this is why we will treat you with the utmost empathy and sensitivity. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Burke Orthopedics by calling (713) 436-3488.
Accidents happen. You cannot avoid them, no matter how safe you may be. Sometimes, when accidents happen it causes an injury to your body. Multiple first aid treatments exist that you should perform to treat a common injury immediately. Doing these things will hopefully mitigate the progression of the injury and lessen the ultimate harm and bodily damage it may cause.
R.I.C.E.
Below are some tips as to what you can do immediately to treat common injuries.
When applying first aid methods for injury treatment, immediately apply the RICE protocol. This consists of:
R- Rest
I-Ice
C- compression
E-elevation
Let’s break down how each of these can help. An injury cannot heal properly without rest. This pertains to an injury or simply recovering from the day. Rest is vital to healing and recovery.
Ice applied to the area immediately after injury, and a few times a day thereafter will mitigate swelling and pain. A certain amount of inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process, but it needs to be kept in check and not allowed to progress indefinitely. Icing the area of injury will cause a constriction of the blood vessels. This in turn leads to less inflammatory substances being allowed to access the area. Ice should be applied for up to but no more than 15 minutes at a time.
After applying ice, a rebound effect of vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) occurs in the area which will help the flow of blood and deliver nutrients to the area. This may speed up healing.
There is no way to heal an injury quickly, especially without knowing the extent of the damage it may have caused. The speed of healing is determined by the area injured and the severity of the injury. Some areas of the body will take longer to heal no matter the injury. However, consistently applying ice to the area for a few days may help to speed things up.
Compression will also help to mitigate inflammation. This will also help to decrease swelling along with ice.
When elevation is added to the mix, raise the injured area above the level of your heart, if possible. This will encourage blood to flow more easily back into circulation where it is filtered and cleaned. For example, if you sprain your ankle, try to elevate it by laying down on a couch and resting your foot on a few pillows.
Evaluate Injury
You know your body best, and you will likely be the one to make the most appropriate decision as to whether the injury that you sustained needs to be seen by a doctor requiring further care. If there is severe and intense unremitting pain, bleeding that won’t stop, or you heard something crack or pop – these are all examples of a serious injury that should be seen by a doctor.
Seek Professional Care
If after a few days of rest and healing, the pain does not diminish or it gets worse, it is time to see a doctor. Also, if after a few days you have not regained function that you may have lost due to the injury, i.e. being unable to walk on your ankle, this situation also will warrant a visit to your doctor. Additionally, if it will help your peace of mind to get the injury checked by a professional, we encourage you to do so. If the injury is orthopedic, please contact Dr. Burke Orthopedics to schedule an appointment to seek out treatment.
Knee pain is a common complaint and can be incredibly irritating, affecting your ability to walk and impairs other functional abilities in your life. Your knee joint pain may be caused by a myriad of issues. When pain is not severe, and not affecting the ability to adequately perform necessary tasks in your everyday life, there are a number of home remedies for knee pain relief that can be attempted.
The first home remedy for knee pain is necessary if you notice any swelling in the area. If you do notice this, follow the protocol RICE. This stands for:
There will not always be swelling when your knee is bothering you; however, when you do not notice edema in the knee and only pain, try cold therapy for the first few days, then try heat. A commonly used knee joint pain treatment home remedy is to ice the area, which will numb the pain and hopefully stop any inflammation or infections within the knee joint from progressing.
After a few days of icing it and it continues to bother you, try heat. The heat will help to get things moving, facilitate blood flow and help to flush out the accumulation of any bad particles that may be left in your knee as a result of your body sending white blood cells to the area of pain in an attempt to fight off and fix whatever the issue is. Do not apply heat to the area for longer than 20 minutes, and make sure it’s a comfortable temperature. You want heat, but not enough heat that you burn the skin around the knee.
But, along with the above, the most helpful knee pain natural remedy that you can employ involves prevention. Managing weight is a crucial component of knee health. The knees bear the weight of the entire body during ambulation. If you are overweight, this places a great amount of unnecessary stress on the knees. So, following a good diet and exercising consistently will improve the immune system and overall health of the body.
Strengthening the knee joint and all muscles surrounding it are the key to a fully functioning, pain-free knee throughout your life. Some wonderful low-impact strengthening activities and exercises are:
If you have attempted one or all of the above pain relief home remedies for your knee pain and they have failed to help, this is when you need to consult with an orthopedic doctor. Even if you have not attempted any of the above-mentioned home remedies, and the pain that you are experiencing is so severe that it is affecting your ability to function, indicates it is also the time to see an orthopedic doctor. Your doctor will be able to obtain an accurate diagnosis and determine if anything more involved and sinister may be causing your knee pain. Then, you and your physician can determine the best treatment strategy moving forward.
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