From Soccer Slip to Stepping Strong: Mike Lockhart Chronicles Knee Surgery Recovery
After many years of managing knee pain, I had knee surgery six weeks ago. The injury was a tear of my medial meniscus, along with other damage that needed to be cleaned up. For four years, I tried to use the R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation), but nothing was changing, and it was hindering me from doing everyday things. It affected me physically and mentally. It was time to fix this.
The Injury
I’d love to tell you I was saving people from a dire situation or some kind of great tale. The reality of the start of my left knee pain dates back to April 2020. I was in my backyard playing soccer with my kids. The ball bounced away from me, and as I walked over to get it, I stepped in a divot in my yard and twisted my knee. I immediately knew I was hurt. I heard a cracking noise and felt a burn. I needed crutches for about a week. I couldn’t really walk well for about a month. Due to the state of the world, I avoided the hospital and doctor. After a while, I was able to get back to working out and strengthening it. It was never the same, but it was manageable, and sometimes I would forget about it.
The Re-Injury
Two years later, in June 2022, my knee injury would rear its ugly head again. My daughter’s club soccer team was getting ready for Nationals in Denver, Colorado. The coach gave them a running assignment. A handful of us went down to a field with our girls and ran with them. A mile, followed by 16 sprints. I had worked out that day already and didn’t drink enough water. When it was time to run, I had just woken up from my daily nap and didn’t have time to start stretching before I started the mile. Coming around the final lap, I knew something was wrong. But because I’m too proud to stop, I continued. Sixteen sprints later, I knew things were bad. My IT band and hamstring were locked up. Pain was running through my leg, and it affected me the rest of the summer and beyond.
The Surgery
I tried to rehab my knee like the last time. It just wasn’t recovering, and pain became daily, limiting what I could do on a daily basis. It was time to go to the doctor. After my MRI, it was clear my only option was surgery. I saw Dr. Logan Huff in Foxboro, MA. My surgery was done there as well. It couldn’t have gone easier, and I was in and out. My recovery in the first 72 hours went well. It seemed like every 48-72 hours, there was a positive change. Less than two weeks in, I was walking without crutches. I had my follow-up and was able to start light workouts. I’m biking and stretching. It’s been six weeks, and I still have light swelling but almost full range of motion. I couldn’t be happier with my recovery. My biggest advice is to make sure you go into surgery strong. Ice twice a day and keep icing. I noticed when I wasn’t as diligent about it, my knee wasn’t progressing. When I started icing again, my recovery continued progressing. I’m hoping to be back to full speed and strength by 10-12 weeks.
