Knee Recovery After a Car Accident
by Krystal Menzo
On August 12th of 2015 I was on my way to work anticipating a normal day ahead of me. I was sitting at a stop light just listening to music and out of nowhere- I get rear ended. I remember my head hitting the dashboard and my knee getting jammed against it too. I went from a state of peace to total pain and fear. Boy, when they say your life can change in an instant, I now know what they mean. Who knew that my knee recovery after a car accident would last almost three years!
My name is Krystal. At the time of the accident I was 31 years old. I have always been a healthy and active person until this happened. This accident changed my life. From that point forward – I couldn’t walk, had multiple dislocations and immense pain that prevented me to live my life the way I used to. I was devastated and scared. I am self-employed and couldn’t work. My days consisted of me trying to manage my pain and being immobile.
My journey to heal my knee began with a scope, then MPFL Reconstruction with VMO advancement, and then a Manipulation Under Anesthesia. I had to go through three rounds of physical therapy that was super-painful and resulted in me having to have a Manipulation Under Anesthesia because I couldn’t achieve the range of motion necessary to live an active normal life. This was truly difficult on me emotionally and physically. These last two and a half years have been miserable and have put my life on hold.
You have to realize that I have always been in great physical shape. I played hockey since I was four years old. I played all over Europe and also was on my college hockey team. Playing hockey required me to work out almost every day and to maintain and increase my strength and endurance. I love exercising and really love playing hockey. It suits my personality, since I’m very competitive. A great hockey player is competitive by nature… and strong!
So there I was in the midst of pain and fear trying to recover over a two and half year time period. Nothing was working. Then a friend told me about the X10 knee machine. I was scheduled to have a MUA (video of Krystal’s Manipulation Under Anesthesia); I decided that I wanted to try the X10 to see if I could change the way things had been turning out for me. I was hoping to finally find something positive in my long recovery.
Well guess what? It worked!!!!!!!
I used the X10 for four weeks in my home. Not only did I get relief from my pain, but also was able to achieve perfect (0-130º) range of motion within those four weeks. I did not go to physical therapy while using the X10, and devoted my time to using the machine three times a day for 30 minutes, every day. My favorite things about the X10 was that I could use it at home (very convenient) and that it didn’t cause me pain to use it.
Finally, some relief!!!
My advice to anyone out there who is considering this machine – don’t wait to get it. Get it as soon as you can. You won’t regret it. Don’t wait until your leg is stiff; avoid all that time and suffering. The X10 team is super positive and supportive and will help you through your recovery!!
To anyone reading this I wish you all well!! And I wish you all a quick recovery!!!
The X10 Meta-Blog
We call it a “Meta-Blog” because we step back and give you a broad perspective on all aspects of knee health, surgery and recovery.
In this one-of-a-kind blog we gather together great thinkers, doers, writers related to Knee Surgery, Recovery, Preparation, Care, Success and Failure. Meet physical therapists, coaches, surgeons, patients, and as many smart people as we can gather to create useful articles for you. Whether you have a surgery upcoming, in the rear-view mirror, or just want to take care of your knees to avoid surgery, you should find some value here.
Hi Krystal- that’s an amazing story! Good for you for taking charge of your recovery! Best wishes for continued good progress.
Just curious— what kind of car were you driving and what kind of car hit you?
Yeah Krystal! It was fun to meet you and hear about this life changing season with X10! You went from a full life to almost hopelessness and back to full life again. Proud of your hard work lady! The X10 team is grateful to be a part of the beginning of your new chapter in life!
I wish I could get the X10!!! I had TKR on Dec 26, 2017 and still can barely get 90 degrees in my range. I am still enduring PT and trying all that I can! I am in California and the X10 is not available. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to go to the East for a month to use it. Maybe they would like to assist me by making me an advocate? I would embrace the opportunity!
Hi Krystal. Boy do i know what u mean when you say life changing in an instant!!! I was having surgery in my right knee, during the surgery the doctor dislocated my left knee and since then my life has gone into a down spiral i can’t get better on my right because therapy requires both legs and my left knee constantly catches on something and it has been impossible to get better. How are you doing now?