Ella

Hello, my name is Ella and I’m 18. I was born with loose ligaments/tendons in my knees and a deformity that causes my kneecaps to dislocate. I fell ice skating one day causing more damage to my left knee. After this, I could no longer run, kneel, sit with my knee bent, jump, or walk long distances without being in lots of pain. At the end of 2023, I had MPFL reconstruction in hopes of giving me a stronger tendon and a better quality of life. Since my surgery, I have been able to bend my knee without the fear of my knee dislocating. I’m still recovering and doing physical therapy, but I am now able to bend my knee 127 degrees.

I am so very thankful to the donor family, I promise I will make the most of my new tendon.

I was not aware that tissue donations were a thing until my doctor told me about it, I like many others hear the word transplant and think organs. I had no idea that tissue or tendon transplants were a thing in the slightest.