In September 2023, I dislocated my knee during a soccer game. Unlike a typical knee dislocation, mine resulted in major cartilage damage that required two surgeries: one to clean up the cartilage and the other to replace the cartilage via a MACI procedure, plus the re-orientation of my knee joint with a Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy.
Once I knew I needed multiple surgeries, I knew I needed something to work for. My ultimate “light” at the end of my “recovery tunnel” was the dream to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. When I first scheduled my surgery and discussed rehab with both my doctor and Marty, we all thought that, at eight months post-operation, I could do the hike with some hard work.
This meant, in late December, after surgery no. 2, I started rigorous physical therapy at PUSH Gym. I needed to start from the basics of how to get my leg muscles to flex and bend to 30 degrees again. Two months post-surgery, I was walking on my own and starting to gain back my strength with Marty in physical therapy at PUSH. Slowly, but surely, by April, I was back to building strength and walking further and further. By June, I was able to start HIIT classes at PUSH and hike 3-5 miles a week. My physical therapy slowly stopped, but PUSH’s HIIT classes were still a big piece of my strength and cardio training as I got closer to my departure for Tanzania in August.
Combining strength training at PUSH with high altitude hiking through the summer, I was ready for the trek by August. I successfully summited Kilimanjaro on August 20 — an experience of a lifetime and a great testament to my recovery from knee surgery. Both my initial physical therapy and later strength training in HIIT classes were key components for my full recovery and training to hike the tallest freestanding mountain in the world.
