It's been four years since surgery with Dr. Todd Wente, almost to the day, and I JUST RAN MY FIRST MARATHON at 31 years old. As the result of a freak intramural sports accident, I tore my ACL, meniscus, and had a severe cartilage defect in my right… It's been four years since surgery with Dr. Todd Wente, almost to the day, and I JUST RAN MY FIRST MARATHON at 31 years old. As the result of a freak intramural sports accident, I tore my ACL, meniscus, and had a severe cartilage defect in my right knee. I had to undergo not one but two procedures (they didn't know the extent of the damage until they went in the first time). After the first 'procedure,' which ultimately ended up being more exploratory, it was deemed the best path forward was to repair my ACL and meniscus using my quadriceps. Then Dr. Wente fought for me to get the MACI procedure for the cartilage defect (only recently widely accepted, being FDA approved in a broader sense only 6 years prior). I'll never forget it. They were able to take a biopsy of my cells in the first procedure, grow new cartilage, and implant it all within one month. Without Dr. Wente's advocacy, I'm not sure the MACI procedure would've happened—and likely not as quickly. It was a very, very challenging recovery, but Dr. Wente and his team were caring and helpful the entire time. Now, four years later, I've just completed the Marine Corps Marathon in DC. My first ever. Am I sore? Yes. Am I swollen in my beat-up knee? Absolutely. But I did it. And there was a time where I thought I'd never run again. If you're dealing with a similar injury, I would highly recommend Dr. Wente and his team. They were professional, effective, efficient, and kind. I'm not sure where I'd be without them. Read more
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