Knee Op (OATS Surgery)

[Andybtsn]

Hi all,

Just to note, this isn't a medical thread. I am not seeking advice or help post-op so also don't ask for advice, ask a professional!

I'm wondering if anyone has had this operation and can share their experience and recovery. I am 8 weeks post-op and have physio every fortnight, I just had my 4th session last night. I have most of my mobility back walking, but still a long way from more extensive stuff, running, jumping, squats etc. I have just turned 39 and played football twice a week, one of the reasons why I went for the op was to prolong this and the specialist who operated on me expects me to be back playing in a few months.

I had open knee surgery rather than keyhole so the recovery has been a bit more brutal but each day it's getting stronger.

For anyone wondering what OATS is, it's the following

OATS is “osteochondral autograft transfer system”. It is one of the two types of cartilage transfer procedures and the other procedure is “Mosaicplasty”. Cartilage transfer procedures involve moving healthy cartilage from a non-weight bearing area of the knee to a damaged area of the cartilage in the knee. In mosaicplasty, plugs of cartilage and bone are taken from a healthy cartilage area and moved to replace the damaged cartilage of the knee. Multiple tiny plugs are used and once embedded, resembles a mosaic pattern, hence the name. With the OATS procedure, the plugs are larger. Therefore, the surgeon only needs to move one or two plugs of healthy cartilage and bone to the damaged area of the knee.

I'm keen to hear if anyone else has this surgery and their recovery after?!

Thanks

Andy