Oliver’s return to football following OATS procedure
From chronic injury to complex surgery, Oliver faced a daunting rehabilitation. Learn how MAXM Skate has become his secret weapon on his journey to return to football.
Pictured: Oliver playing high-level Australian Rules football in Adelaide, South Australia.
What is an OATS procedure?
The OATS procedure, or Osteochondral Autograft Transfer System, is a complex surgical technique designed to repair localised areas of damaged cartilage and the underlying bone, most commonly in the knee.
The term “Osteochondral” refers to both bone and cartilage, while “Autograft” means the tissue used for repair comes from the patient’s own body, typically from a non-weight bearing area of the same joint.
During an OATS procedure, the surgeon carefully harvests one or more healthy plugs of cartilage and bone from a less critical area. The damaged cartilage and bone at the injured site are then removed, and the healthy plugs are carefully implanted into the prepared area. The goal is for this transplanted tissue to integrate and grow, creating a smooth, functional joint surface once again.
However, a successful OATS procedure requires a period of non to partial weight bearing during recovery, which can be a significant challenge for patients eager to regain their mobility. This is precisely where MAXM Skate can make a significant difference.
“After tearing my lateral meniscus three times and undergoing multiple debridements, I developed a chondral defect at my lateral femoral condyle, resulting in underlying bone marrow oedema preventing me from returning to football.
As a result I underwent an OATS procedure to repair the full thickness defect resulting in a lengthy period of non- and partial- weight bearing”
Pictured: Photo taken during Oliver's OATS procedure showing the donor site within the knee.
The MAXM Skate advantage in post-surgical recovery
MAXM Skate is helping Oliver bridge the gap between initial post-operative recovery and full functional return.
The engineered “smart Skate” design and integrated Bluetooth sensor offer crucial support, particularly during the critical non-to-partial weight-bearing phases following procedures like OATS, ACL reconstructions, meniscectomies, and other knee surgeries.
Oliver experienced this firsthand:
“Using MAXM Skate to help me recover from knee surgery has made a huge difference. My range of motion has returned remarkably quickly, surprising both myself and those around me”
Pictured: Oliver performing the MAXM Skate "flexion Skate" exercise as part of his recovery from OATS procedure.
Maintaining mobility during non-weight bearing periods
Regaining range of motion early and safely is paramount for preventing stiffness, improving blood flow to the joint, and accelerating the overall healing process.
MAXM Skate allowed Oliver to perform controlled, pain-free movement within safe limits, when full weight bearing was not yet permitted. The smooth, guided motion facilitated by the Skate was vital for cartilage health and joint lubrication as prescribed by his orthopaedic surgeon.
MAXM Skate also provides real-time feedback, a feature that significantly enhanced the rehabilitation experience for Oliver:
“Being able to receive feedback on my ROM through the app has enabled me to monitor my improvement daily and continue to make progress towards my goal of returning to sport”
This immediate, objective feedback empowers individuals to actively participate in their recovery, providing a sense of control and motivation that traditional methods often lack.
Seeing daily progress in the MAXM Skate patient App reinforces positive habits and ensures consistent, effective rehabilitation, pushing users towards their recovery goals with confidence.
Oliver’s ongoing rehab journey demonstrates that even after complex procedures and frustrating setbacks, a strategic approach to rehabilitation, amplified by cutting-edge technology like MAXM Skate, leads to better outcomes.
If you’d like to find out more about how MAXM Skate helps patients like Oliver across the globe recover faster from knee surgeries, get in touch today with our clinical team via the contact form below.