You only live once…

I am a 37 year old male that has a total of 12 knee surgeries, including ACI procedures on both knees in the last 3 ½ years.  I was told by two surgeons that I would never be able to have the activity level in my life that I was accustomed and most certainly would not run again.  It came to the point that just walking around the house was taxing.  One surgeon recommended me to Dr. Berman and told me my only shot was the Carticel / ACI procedure.

While the ACI procedure is no “walk in the park”, it has made a dramatic improvement in my general quality of life.  After being fully released from the first surgery, I rode over 3000 miles on my bicycle before having the second procedure done five months ago.  I have already ridden about 400 miles and done some pool work since being allowed to resume those activities only two months ago.  There has been no swelling and minimal discomfort in that time.  If my second procedure progresses as my first did, I am confident that not only will my activity level remain high for a long period of time but also that I will be able to run again.  I am not sure Dr. Berman will want to hear this but my goal is to complete the Ironman competition which consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run at the end of next year.

I have no regrets for going through the process except that I wish I had found Dr Berman sooner.  I am very grateful to Dr. Berman and his staff at Arlington Orthopedic Associates for the professional care they have given me and highly recommend everyone with cartilage issues to consult with him.   You only live once and it would be a shame to miss out on a full life because of knee discomfort that they can fix.

Charles C.