Any Advice Appreciated

elainebadknee

Hi Im new and finding my way round this site......

Okay am 41, have had oesteochondritis dissecans since age of 17....Had surgery early on and into late twenties to remove loose bodies and arthoscopy's.......Had been mostly okay till last summer when I was ironically helping my dad exercise after his knee replacement op that my knee played up....Usually i have spellls where its pants for a few weeks, but this never eased up.......Went to doc, am on co-proxamol for pain, went to physio before crimbo, do hydro once a week and had arthoscopy in March 2010. Result is I now have no cartilage behind knee and am only being offered kneecap removal as they say im too young for replacement (risk of infection my surgeon says)........He wont even consider me for replacement till am in my 60's which I cant bear....I cant walk more than 200 yds, cant dance, kneel or even have a bath now....Have bue badge for car and been in constant pain and not able to work at mo..........I have only seen on US sites reviews about kneecap removal, they all are not in favour....Can anyone enlighten me with info/advice???? I have 4 weeks till see surgeon for decision, op or 2nd opinion....He also tells me I have lifestyle options, seems to feel all people my age wanns run a marathan when id be happy to be able to walk into town.......What he means is lose weight but when exercisigng is painful you know its kinda made hard...Oh he also tells me to try and preserve my knee (something i feel is impossible as its buggered)...........
Please help, id love to hear from you all...

Thanks muchly

Elaine :shock:

skezier

Hi Elaine,

I am sorry your going through it just now. I also had similar to you but was 18 or 19 (too long ago to remember ) they also took out the cartilages and I think it saved me a whole load of pain actually.....

I think this too young thing is down to the consultants and their preferences..... My first thought is see someone else...... I actually do think if you can it might be worth it as with the trouble you have 60 must seem miles off.

I also think better pain relief might be a way forward so maybe you could get a double appointment and talk it through with your gp? I really hope you ca get some help and though not too helpful sending you a ((( ))) and a hope. hey nice to meet you and welcome as well Cris x

elainebadknee

Hi Cris and its lovely to hear from you!!!

I have been told cartilage removal is not suitable for me...Also been told "most surgeons will not operate on me for replacement surgery".......Im feeling 2nd opinion may be option, there is place in wigan about an hour from me which is a centre of excellence.......Not sure what other pain relief coulld take as only co-prox takes my pain away.....I cant wait till 60 and anyway you know who knows how long were all around for, wanna be mobile and pain free now...

Elaine

skezier wrote:

Hi Elaine,

I am sorry your going through it just now. I also had similar to you but was 18 or 19 (too long ago to remember ) they also took out the cartilages and I think it saved me a whole load of pain actually.....

I think this too young thing is down to the consultants and their preferences..... My first thought is see someone else...... I actually do think if you can it might be worth it as with the trouble you have 60 must seem miles off.

I also think better pain relief might be a way forward so maybe you could get a double appointment and talk it through with your gp? I really hope you ca get some help and though not too helpful sending you a ((( ))) and a hope. hey nice to meet you and welcome as well Cris x

dreamdaisy

I know what you mean about the bathing, dancing, walking thing. I remember doing all of those up until 1997. Now I'm on crutches, in permanent pain, got the blue badge etc.

Any invasive treatment runs the risk of infection, so I think that argument is a non-starter. The youth thing is too - I know these joints have a finite life, but they can now last for 15-20 years if one is careful, so you may only need two, one now, one when you're in your early sixities, and by the time you're in your eighties well, Goodnight Vienna is inevitable and you may not be moving around so much anyway. That's the odd thing about doctors. They're proud we're all living longer then you're denied treatment on age grounds!

Each consultant has his/her own ideas and preferences about treatment, so a second opinion may well be worth while. Regarding pain relief, well other stuff is available but co-prox is pretty heavy duty - that's something to discuss with your GP.

I understand the age frustration thing quite well: I was 37 when my problems started (I'm now 51, which isn't exactly ancient) and I know that basically it's all downhill, at an increased rate. I console myself with the thought that no-one has the life they want. Good luck with it all and keep us posted. Dreamdaisy

skezier

Hi Elaine,

I don't think they take then out so often now, maybe be its better not to I don't know?

Been thinking about this and one way might be to get them to understand how much its impacting on your life. I still do think if its possible to see someone else....... Its something to talk about with your gp about and labour how much its effecting your life. See if you can get some better pin relief..... There are so many combinations of anti inflammatories and pain control out there.

Its not fair but often the bone stuff takes a bit of fighting to sort out help that you do really need. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Cris x

elainebadknee

Hi there....Well youre right that any invasive surgery runs the risk of infection and its the same size scar as with knee replacement......I know too how long these things can last and who knows I'll make it to me 80's??? One comment that slightly miffed me with the surgeon was "you cant just lay the blame with us and hope for surgery".....I havent actually had an op for 12 years so I told him it was not a case of laying blame, after all i did nothing to get this condition.....

I have tried diclofenic, arthrotec anti inflams, they dont help me and they gave me tramadol too for a while but thats just as heavy as the co-prox.....
I dont want to end up any less mobile but feel the NHS are not helping me as much as they can......

Confused.....
Elaine

dreamdaisy wrote:

I know what you mean about the bathing, dancing, walking thing. I remember doing all of those up until 1997. Now I'm on crutches, in permanent pain, got the blue badge etc.

Any invasive treatment runs the risk of infection, so I think that argument is a non-starter. The youth thing is too - I know these joints have a finite life, but they can now last for 15-20 years if one is careful, so you may only need two, one now, one when you're in your early sixities, and by the time you're in your eighties well, Goodnight Vienna is inevitable and you may not be moving around so much anyway. That's the odd thing about doctors. They're proud we're all living longer then you're denied treatment on age grounds!

Each consultant has his/her own ideas and preferences about treatment, so a second opinion may well be worth while. Regarding pain relief, well other stuff is available but co-prox is pretty heavy duty - that's something to discuss with your GP.

I understand the age frustration thing quite well: I was 37 when my problems started (I'm now 51, which isn't exactly ancient) and I know that basically it's all downhill, at an increased rate. I console myself with the thought that no-one has the life they want. Good luck with it all and keep us posted. Dreamdaisy

elnafinn

Hi Elaine

You are young for knee replacements but peeps on here have had them done at a young age.

I would go for a second opinion. There are surgeons out there that will do the ops earlier than others when they weigh up the pros and cons etc. There is risk of infection with any major operation but I would say the younger you are, the more likely all will be ok. I have had both my knees totally replaced at age 57 and 59 years of age. It is fantastic. I have my life back. I am not going to worry about what happens in years to come when perhaps a second op may have to be performed and I am well aware these are not so successful. I may have been run over by a bus by then anyway.

Luv
Elna x

elainebadknee

Hi Elna

Well i know that some people do get them done young, someone at hydro pool had a hockey injury at age 21 and is on 2nd one at moment!!
2nd opinion is seeming immenent but i just wonder why a surgeon would suggest kneecap removal which seems to be hugely unsuccessful??? I know you say the younger the patient the better chance of being okay with major surgery....I think it also depends on how the person themselves is ie - fitness levels and good preparation......I want the chance to have my life back, been out today for small walk and was agony and that was only to local shop (less than 15 mins walk)........

Thanks for your input....

Elaine

quote="elnafinn"]Hi Elaine

You are young for knee replacements but peeps on here have had them done at a young age.

I would go for a second opinion. There are surgeons out there that will do the ops earlier than others when they weigh up the pros and cons etc. There is risk of infection with any major operation but I would say the younger you are, the more likely all will be ok. I have had both my knees totally replaced at age 57 and 59 years of age. It is fantastic. I have my life back. I am not going to worry about what happens in years to come when perhaps a second op may have to be performed and I am well aware these are not so successful. I may have been run over by a bus by then anyway.

Luv
Elna x[/quote]

elnafinn

Hi Elaine

Why not ask your surgeon outright, why he is suggesting doing something that seems to be hugely unsuccessful.

You are right it does all help depending on the patients fitness and outlook on life generally and so on. I totally understand that you want your life back now, and not have to wait until the magical age of when your surgeon thinks is the right time. He is not the person suffering.

I do hope you get some more positive feedback from a second opinion.

Luv
Elna x

elainebadknee

Hi Elna

Well yes I think I will ask that question. The trouble with some of these surgeons is that they have tin god status and if you ask them something they dont like then its like being blacklisted!!! But he is not the person suffering and if it was one of his family/friends would he expect them to wait 20 years too...dont think so......
One other thing I have not mentioned is that my sister got hers done at the age of 41 n half.....But the big difference is that she works for the NHS as a sister, knew the orthapedic surgeon and prior to surgery she was getting about 6-8 steroid injections (far more than any ordinary patient would recieve)......So it seems its who you know sometimes too......
Still not heard from anyone on here who's had kneecap removal yet, was hoping to???

Thanks a lot
Elaine

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Elaine

Why not ask your surgeon outright, why he is suggesting doing something that seems to be hugely unsuccessful.

You are right it does all help depending on the patients fitness and outlook on life generally and so on. I totally understand that you want your life back now, and not have to wait until the magical age of when your surgeon thinks is the right time. He is not the person suffering.

I do hope you get some more positive feedback from a second opinion.

Luv
Elna x

dorcas

Hi Elaine and nice to meet you.

sorry I can't be of any help with your knee cap question but hope someone will come along who has had experience of this procedure.

Your surgeon obviously has his own ideas about when to do TKRs but there are other surgeons who may not share his view and who would be willing to consider doing this sooner than 60!...that's too long to wait when you are in such pain and the quality of your life is being so affected. As other peeps have said.... you should ask for another opinion. :!:

I cannot understand the surgeon talking about 'blame' during your conversation with him. :shock: what on earth did he mean? it's no one's fault that you have a bad knee, how can it be.

I do hope you can get good advice about what to do next.

Iris x

dreamdaisy

As we're mostly arthritic, the tendency is to go the whole hog and get new knees, because more than just the cartilage is affected. New knees and hips follow after every drug therapy under the sun has been tried and a good stint spent on crutches or in a wheel chair. Replacement surgery is not a first resort: TKR and THR are what we are used to, not just removing a knee cap - I suspect that is why no-one has answered your plea for info - we can't give it!

I can understand how frustrated you must be but sometimes the answer isn't what we want to hear. Go for a second opinion, every surgeon is different and another one may have a greater understanding of your condition and how it is affecting you. Good luck and let us know how you get on. DD

angel1

I don`t know how far you would be prepared to travel Elaine, but you`re obviously in - or close to - the North West.

There is a new purpose built clinic in Halton, nr Runcorn, Cheshire which is amazing. It is purely for joints, everything up to and including re-placement.

I had a TKR there just over three years ago, and I also saw much younger people being treated. It might be worth some research on your part.........Ange.

elainebadknee

Hi Ange

Well im in cumbria and another doctor told me the centre of excellence just within our catchment area is the Wrightington, Wigan is a centre of excellence. I did mention this to my surgeon and he himself said that most surgeons would share his opinion that TKR is not possible for me....In other words, im not gonna do it and nobody else will!!!

Thanks anyway, if i had money to g private would do!!!

Elaine

angel1 wrote:

I don`t know how far you would be prepared to travel Elaine, but you`re obviously in - or close to - the North West.

There is a new purpose built clinic in Halton, nr Runcorn, Cheshire which is amazing. It is purely for joints, everything up to and including re-placement.

I had a TKR there just over three years ago, and I also saw much younger people being treated. It might be worth some research on your part.........Ange.

elainebadknee

Yes but with 9 million sufferers someone must have an opinion or have heard of someone who had been in a similar predicament to me??I wasnt suggesting tkr was a first resort and i have spent my time on cruthces too......

Its also not what i want to hear its what i know can be done, sometimes people can be very stubborn


Elaine

dreamdaisy wrote:

As we're mostly arthritic, the tendency is to go the whole hog and get new knees, because more than just the cartilage is affected. New knees and hips follow after every drug therapy under the sun has been tried and a good stint spent on crutches or in a wheel chair. Replacement surgery is not a first resort: TKR and THR are what we are used to, not just removing a knee cap - I suspect that is why no-one has answered your plea for info - we can't give it!

I can understand how frustrated you must be but sometimes the answer isn't what we want to hear. Go for a second opinion, every surgeon is different and another one may have a greater understanding of your condition and how it is affecting you. Good luck and let us know how you get on. DD

skezier

Hi Elaine,

You shouldn't need to go private.... get to your gp and ask them to arrange a second opinion at Warrington! See being bossy here :oops:

I really hope you can see a more human consultant and one who actually will help. I wonder if the nerve blockers would help you as well... Pregabalin is the better one but quite heavy duty so either that or gabapentin might be useful to you while your waiting for a decent consultant.

I know its all frustrating and I really hope you get a better consultation with a better surgeon soon. like Iris I don't understand the blame thing :shock: Hang in there and fingers crossed for you. ((( ))) Cris x

elainebadknee

Hi Iris

Nice to hear from you also!!

Well i know that in all jobs there are guidlines to adhere to but surely if someone is in a lot of pain and mobility is affected it stnads to reason get them mobile and back on the road to reocovery....

I was rather shocked afterwards at his blame issue and feel I must bring this up at my next appointment, no i didnt ask for ocd but is he giving me as much help as he can? No....ive had to do all my own research into this he hasnt helped me just told me to go back in 6wks.....I just cant envisage another 19 years of this, why should i have to more to the point???

Here's hoping can resolve...

Elaine

quote="dorcas"]Hi Elaine and nice to meet you.

sorry I can't be of any help with your knee cap question but hope someone will come along who has had experience of this procedure.

Your surgeon obviously has his own ideas about when to do TKRs but there are other surgeons who may not share his view and who would be willing to consider doing this sooner than 60!...that's too long to wait when you are in such pain and the quality of your life is being so affected. As other peeps have said.... you should ask for another opinion. :!:

I cannot understand the surgeon talking about 'blame' during your conversation with him. :shock: what on earth did he mean? it's no one's fault that you have a bad knee, how can it be.

I do hope you can get good advice about what to do next.

Iris x[/quote]

elainebadknee

Hi Cris

Never ever heard of nerve blockers, what would they do????Its when i see his highness that he refers me for a 2nd opinion to the Wrightington but thing is will he blacklist me, ie i wont oerate on her dont you??
Yeah the blame thing i think he overstepped the mark there, im polite n everfything when i see him/expect same in return.....

The saga continues...............

Elaine

skezier wrote:

Hi Elaine,

You shouldn't need to go private.... get to your gp and ask them to arrange a second opinion at Warrington! See being bossy here :oops:

I really hope you can see a more human consultant and one who actually will help. I wonder if the nerve blockers would help you as well... Pregabalin is the better one but quite heavy duty so either that or gabapentin might be useful to you while your waiting for a decent consultant.

I know its all frustrating and I really hope you get a better consultation with a better surgeon soon. like Iris I don't understand the blame thing :shock: Hang in there and fingers crossed for you. ((( ))) Cris x

skezier

Hi Elaine,

I don' think he can black list you, you have given him no grounds and you are totally entitled to a second opinion..... You need one!

The nerve blockers intercept the nerves from the site of pain and your brain.... you still hurt like hell but your brain doesn't know it so they can be every effective. Mine re pregabalin and I have 3rd and end stage in my back and neck and I used to be in so much pain I was looking to move on but they have halved it at worst and almost taken it out at best.

Down here the ortho's use it for pre opp replacements so it clearly can work. It might be an idea to ask about it. Gabapentin is the older drug, it has some people who find it doesn't work where as the pregabalin is the next generation and well I know how good it is and wish it was use ore for people.

Hang in there, don't get angry or upset and a second opinion is what you need. Just remember this your are not alone, a lot of us have trouble with consultants but keep asking your gp the right questions and if they also say your too young (its rubbish by the way) see a different gp as well.

Good luck and keep us posted. ((( ))) Cris x

elnafinn

Hi Elaine,

Surely it is not your current surgeon that refers you for a second opinion. You do this via your gp, don't you? Unless I have missed something in these postings, but I expect I probably have. :roll: :oops: It is none of your current' surgeon's business if you seek a second opinion and he has no need to know. Most surgeons know this goes on anyway and why not indeed.

Quite honestly with the relationship that you are currently experiencing with your surgeon, would you want him let loose on your knee? I for one would not, trust is extremely important and it does not sound as if that is there at this moment in time. That is all you have to go on really and if that is not there, then to me it is time to leave this surgeon and look elsewhere.

I lost faith in a surgeon after a dodgy arthoscopy which I had done again. I definitely did not wish him to perform any more ops on my knee. He offered a partial knee replacement. I waited a year and saw another surgeon who said the knee was far too bad for a partial and only a total would be the answer. He asked me to wait as long as I could and I did, 2 years for the first and then 2 years later I had the second one done by him.

I wish you well with this.

Luv
Elna x

tweedie

elainebadknee wrote:

Yes but with 9 million sufferers someone must have an opinion or have heard of someone who had been in a similar predicament to me??I wasnt suggesting tkr was a first resort and i have spent my time on cruthces too......

Its also not what i want to hear its what i know can be done, sometimes people can be very stubborn


Elaine

dreamdaisy wrote:

As we're mostly arthritic, the tendency is to go the whole hog and get new knees, because more than just the cartilage is affected. New knees and hips follow after every drug therapy under the sun has been tried and a good stint spent on crutches or in a wheel chair. Replacement surgery is not a first resort: TKR and THR are what we are used to, not just removing a knee cap - I suspect that is why no-one has answered your plea for info - we can't give it!

I can understand how frustrated you must be but sometimes the answer isn't what we want to hear. Go for a second opinion, every surgeon is different and another one may have a greater understanding of your condition and how it is affecting you. Good luck and let us know how you get on. DD

Hi Elaine,
Well your question has brought back a lot of memories for me, 15 years ago I too was told that I was too young to have TKR , but to help my pain AND to give me some mobility I would have to have my kneecaps removed, no sites likes these then , no one to explain what it really means , but i was desparate for help from the pain , the reasons given to me for this procedure was yes new knees are good , but not perfect , they don't always work out either also yes there is a limit on how long they last AND there is no gaurantee that a second replacement can be done on some people as our bones become more crumbly , it was stressed times after time that this was a descision based on what was best for me , not money, so I went ahead and had the first done , due to the work the 'stronger' knee had to do whilst recovering it was done 18 mths later , these are big operations , lots of phsyio, pain wise a great success , my mobility is not good really but I use 2 sticks to get about, stairs are a no no for me and I did have to give up work after the 2nd op , I have both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis andmaybe the ops will be more succesful for you , but after the first op I did feel very very positive , go for it is what I am saying ,here I am 15 yrs later , it goes so fast , I still do not need TKR , yes most likely I will have knee replacement in the end , also what drs think and rightly so , is that when we can move with less pain then we DO , we do want to push our new bits to the limit, new joints are not the only answer if kneecap removal dosen't help you THEN they will give you the new joints , but try it , read enough posts on here and you will see that not every replacement is a success,
hope this helps
love
Tweedie ( Joanna)
xxxxxxxx

elainebadknee

Hi Cris

Well suppose can ask GP about nerve blockers, worth a try eh???
My GP is great and she suports me 100% I guess I just hate the high moral ground surgeons take with patients....I had complained perviously about another surgeons registrar as he refused me a cortisone injection and even asked me about my HIP!!!????I thought id met a sympathetic one, the one who did the arthroscopy was nice.......

Oh well.......gonna be a long summer methinks...

Elaine

skezier wrote:

Hi Elaine,

I don' think he can black list you, you have given him no grounds and you are totally entitled to a second opinion..... You need one!

The nerve blockers intercept the nerves from the site of pain and your brain.... you still hurt like hell but your brain doesn't know it so they can be every effective. Mine re pregabalin and I have 3rd and end stage in my back and neck and I used to be in so much pain I was looking to move on but they have halved it at worst and almost taken it out at best.

Down here the ortho's use it for pre opp replacements so it clearly can work. It might be an idea to ask about it. Gabapentin is the older drug, it has some people who find it doesn't work where as the pregabalin is the next generation and well I know how good it is and wish it was use ore for people.

Hang in there, don't get angry or upset and a second opinion is what you need. Just remember this your are not alone, a lot of us have trouble with consultants but keep asking your gp the right questions and if they also say your too young (its rubbish by the way) see a different gp as well.

Good luck and keep us posted. ((( ))) Cris x

elainebadknee

Hi Elna

Well no cos ive been to him and he has given me a choice he refers me to 2nd opinion....I think it may have been my gp otherwise......This guy is suposed to be the top dog at our hospital and while I dont doubt he is good I feel I havent ticked all his boxes so to speak....I had no issues with the man who did my arthoscopy but that was so unnecessary (on recommendation of an ex army physio)......I need to think about it carefully how i approach the meeting with this guy on 11 June...Might take my dad who had had tkr and maybe can be more diplomatic than me????Incidentally id have been happy had he said to me "Elaine can you wait 3 years or so".....wouldnt have been ideal but it would have shown he understands me.........

GRR!!! :x
Elaine

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Elaine,

Surely it is not your current surgeon that refers you for a second opinion. You do this via your gp, don't you? Unless I have missed something in these postings, but I expect I probably have. :roll: :oops: It is none of your current' surgeon's business if you seek a second opinion and he has no need to know. Most surgeons know this goes on anyway and why not indeed.

Quite honestly with the relationship that you are currently experiencing with your surgeon, would you want him let loose on your knee? I for one would not, trust is extremely important and it does not sound as if that is there at this moment in time. That is all you have to go on really and if that is not there, then to me it is time to leave this surgeon and look elsewhere.

I lost faith in a surgeon after a dodgy arthoscopy which I had done again. I definitely did not wish him to perform any more ops on my knee. He offered a partial knee replacement. I waited a year and saw another surgeon who said the knee was far too bad for a partial and only a total would be the answer. He asked me to wait as long as I could and I did, 2 years for the first and then 2 years later I had the second one done by him.

I wish you well with this.

Luv
Elna x

elainebadknee

Hi Joanna

Well thank you very much for your input - at last ive found someone who has had kneecaps taken out!!!
From what you say it sounds like you still lose a lot with kneecaps out....Its disappointing you had to give up work...see i would still wish to try and do that (desk job at least).......It still all sounds very scary and cant help thinking what someone else told me....can still get infection with this op as with tkr....Also correct me if im wrong but this is really a stopgap till they want to do tkr???Have you read about how it makes tkr less of a success or is that rubbish Im reading.......Im still not sure but am sure need 2nd opinion........

Many thanks

Elaine

tweedie wrote:

elainebadknee wrote:

Yes but with 9 million sufferers someone must have an opinion or have heard of someone who had been in a similar predicament to me??I wasnt suggesting tkr was a first resort and i have spent my time on cruthces too......

Its also not what i want to hear its what i know can be done, sometimes people can be very stubborn


Elaine

dreamdaisy wrote:

As we're mostly arthritic, the tendency is to go the whole hog and get new knees, because more than just the cartilage is affected. New knees and hips follow after every drug therapy under the sun has been tried and a good stint spent on crutches or in a wheel chair. Replacement surgery is not a first resort: TKR and THR are what we are used to, not just removing a knee cap - I suspect that is why no-one has answered your plea for info - we can't give it!

I can understand how frustrated you must be but sometimes the answer isn't what we want to hear. Go for a second opinion, every surgeon is different and another one may have a greater understanding of your condition and how it is affecting you. Good luck and let us know how you get on. DD

Hi Elaine,
Well your question has brought back a lot of memories for me, 15 years ago I too was told that I was too young to have TKR , but to help my pain AND to give me some mobility I would have to have my kneecaps removed, no sites likes these then , no one to explain what it really means , but i was desparate for help from the pain , the reasons given to me for this procedure was yes new knees are good , but not perfect , they don't always work out either also yes there is a limit on how long they last AND there is no gaurantee that a second replacement can be done on some people as our bones become more crumbly , it was stressed times after time that this was a descision based on what was best for me , not money, so I went ahead and had the first done , due to the work the 'stronger' knee had to do whilst recovering it was done 18 mths later , these are big operations , lots of phsyio, pain wise a great success , my mobility is not good really but I use 2 sticks to get about, stairs are a no no for me and I did have to give up work after the 2nd op , I have both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis andmaybe the ops will be more succesful for you , but after the first op I did feel very very positive , go for it is what I am saying ,here I am 15 yrs later , it goes so fast , I still do not need TKR , yes most likely I will have knee replacement in the end , also what drs think and rightly so , is that when we can move with less pain then we DO , we do want to push our new bits to the limit, new joints are not the only answer if kneecap removal dosen't help you THEN they will give you the new joints , but try it , read enough posts on here and you will see that not every replacement is a success,
hope this helps
love
Tweedie ( Joanna)
xxxxxxxx

elnafinn

Hi again Elaine

I was interested in this kneecap removal and on investigation found out a few things, but you probably know them all already:

People who have had their kneecap removed for degenerative arthritis and then later require a total knee replacement are more likely to have problems with the stability of their artificial knee than those who only have total knee replacement. This occurs because the realigned muscles and tendons provide less support once the kneecap is removed.

Kneecap removal is very delicate surgery because the kneecap is part of the extensor mechanism of the leg, meaning the muscles and ligaments, the patella, the quadriceps tendon, and the patellar tendon; which all allow the knee to extend and remain stable when extended. When the kneecap is removed, the extensor assembly becomes more lax, and it may be impossible to ever regain full extension.

People who undergo kneecap removal because of a broken bone or repeated dislocations have the best chance for complete recovery. Those who have this operation because of arthritis may have less successful results, and later need a total knee replacement.

The chances that you will find someone on here that can exactly answer your questions is probably fairly remote. Everybody's case is different. There are indeed knee operations that go wrong. I know of two people, where this unfortunately happened. That follows for any operation though.

Good luck,

Luv
Elna x

elainebadknee

Hi Elna

Thanks for info below, i have read it already and it has put me off (well not that was ever 100% sold on idea in 1st place).....Had one reply as u can see from tweedie.........I feel its as big an operation as tkr and a heck of a risk....
Been to hydrotherapy pool tonight its the one place where i get movement/ease of pain.

Youve been ever so helpful...ta

Elaine
quote="elnafinn"]Hi again Elaine

I was interested in this kneecap removal and on investigation found out a few things, but you probably know them all already:

People who have had their kneecap removed for degenerative arthritis and then later require a total knee replacement are more likely to have problems with the stability of their artificial knee than those who only have total knee replacement. This occurs because the realigned muscles and tendons provide less support once the kneecap is removed.

Kneecap removal is very delicate surgery because the kneecap is part of the extensor mechanism of the leg, meaning the muscles and ligaments, the patella, the quadriceps tendon, and the patellar tendon; which all allow the knee to extend and remain stable when extended. When the kneecap is removed, the extensor assembly becomes more lax, and it may be impossible to ever regain full extension.

People who undergo kneecap removal because of a broken bone or repeated dislocations have the best chance for complete recovery. Those who have this operation because of arthritis may have less successful results, and later need a total knee replacement.

The chances that you will find someone on here that can exactly answer your questions is probably fairly remote. Everybody's case is different. There are indeed knee operations that go wrong. I know of two people, where this unfortunately happened. That follows for any operation though.

Good luck,

Luv
Elna x[/quote]