I am writing the review after my recent knee cartilage mosaicplasty surgery to share my problem, surgery, and rehabilitation experience.
Unfortunately, I had a sudden knee pain in the month of September 2022. I consulted few doctors, but nothing was moving in a right direction. Medications, physiotherapy didn't heal my pain.
However, with my friend’s recommendation, I approached Dr Krishna Kumar in the month of Oct 2022. I still remember my first visit with doctor, I was literally limping, and he patiently listened the problem. I narrated the trauma and problem experienced in my left knee. I was under medication for 5 days which helped to subside the pain, but after the course completion, again the pain was generated. This time he proposed for a knee MRI to identify the exact root cause of the problem.
MRI report was suggesting meniscus and minor cartilage tear, but Dr Krishna Kumar was sure that the cartilage tear is the primary reason for the knee pain. He just touched the affected knee area and could confirm the same.
My first phase 1 of diagnosis and treatment started with medicine. He suggested jointace DN tablet which basically helps to regenerate the cartilage tissue. I took it for ~ 60 days as prescribed. It helped me to manage the pain and was back to my feet, normal walk was possible. I was able to go to office, could do basic daily activities. But still the pain was persisted. Due to pain, I was unable to run, jog for a prolong 4-5 kms, cycling and climbing the staircase which were my essential and day to day exercise.
I again consulted doctor and in this phase 2 somewhere around Jan 2023, he suggested osteofos 70, I was prescribed to take once a week with empty stomach in the early morning for 1 month. But unfortunately, this medicine also didn’t solve the problem.
Probably it was in the month of April 2023, doctor took a decision to go for a knee surgery as all the medication approaches didn't work. This I consider as phase 3. I was quite scared after hearing the surgery, but he nicely explained the mosaicplasty and arthroscopy technique which will be followed for grafting the damaged cartilage and fixing any probable issues related to meniscus if any. He nicely explained by drawing a picture and how this going to solve the problem permanently. Doctor also proposed to take some time and then go for surgery as there was no urgency required. Here I would like to emphasize that Dr Krishna Kumar is one of the few doctors who would like to solve the problem with a medication before applying the last resort which is surgery.
I dragged my pain for almost 3-4 months due to some personal and professional commitments and however decided to undergo surgery in the month of Oct 2023.
My experience on the surgery day was very good. I was given spinal anesthesia which made my lower body numb. Dr Krishna exactly showed me the damaged cartilage in my left knee on the screen of the OT and clearly explained that there is no major issue in the meniscus, rather a cleaning and levelling in the meniscus will solve the 2nd problem. With his expertise, he meticulously completed the cartilage grafting in the damaged area which was the primary cause of the pain.
I was hospitalized for a day and next day was discharged. Dr Krishna Kumar nicely explained the different phases of the rehab in a short meeting.
In the first phase for the 1st month post-surgery, I was asked by doctor not to apply any weight bearings on my left knee. But he suggested 5-6 exercises to improve range of motion.
In the 2nd phase, Doctor asked me to be on 50 % weight bearings with the same set of range of motion exercises for the next 2 weeks.
In 3rd phase, he asked me to be on 100 % weight bearings and start normal walk on the plain surface. Additionally, this time, he asked me to ride static cycle and hit gym for strengthening the knee muscles. He exactly suggested machines which I should target for regaining the strength in the muscles.
In all these phases, he asked me to do the stretching, strengthen and range of motion exercises myself without involving any physiotherapist.
It has been 4 months from the surgery and can confidently say that the main problematic area is solved because as of today, I can walk, ride cycle easily for 4-5 kms in one stretch and climb the staircase periodically though within limits.
Although there is a slight pain in the surrounding area of the knee while walking which is due to muscles weaking, Dr Krishna Kumar clearly told that more I walk and hit the gym, the muscles will regain its original strength and I shall be 100 % perfect. This is exactly what is happening with me, at the end of every week I see a gradual progress and improvements and pain is reducing gradually. I will write one more positive review when I am 100 % perfect and back to marathon. I am confident that in the next 2 months I will be able to reach my target.
Having said this, I would like to give 100 % credit to Dr Krishna Kumar for patiently helping me in all these phases of rehab, listening to my queries/questions and calmly answering, guiding, and educating me on how to improve gradually. Today I am back to my feet, can ride cycle because of Dr Krishna Kumar. You will be remembered throughout my life as a selfless and one of the most honest doctors. Thank you very much doctor.
I strongly recommend consulting Dr Krishna Kumar for any issues related to Knee, be it cartilage, meniscus, ligament tear. You will get the most honest treatment and solution.