Recent blogs

Previous blogs have discussed the patella as a sesamoid bone and on the patella as part of the extensor mechanism.

I mentioned there that the patella is a bone that exists within the tendon of the quadriceps muscle, and that the muscle is tethered above to the hip and bits of it to the upper femur, and that it is tethered below to the tibia bone.

There are quite a lot of medical words that need to be absorbed before one can confidently talk about the patella and its problems, and the extensor mechanism falls into that group.

The patella (kneecap) is a 'sesamoid bone'. A sesamoid bone is a bone that develops in a muscle tendon, rather than being attached by ligaments to another bone. The tendon in which the patella develops is the tendon of the quadriceps muscle, the big muscle that makes up the bulk of your 'lap'.

This very sophisticated discussion on the bulletin board will be of interest to readers who want to know what difference there is in outcome between ACI and Microfracture.

During my browsing I came across these references which I think may be of interest to those of you considering cruciate ligament reconstruction. The first is a comprehensive Powerpoint presentation and the others web pages or pdfs.

1. Graft healing and return to play. (by Joseph F Scordino)

2. Exposing the Myths of ACL Reconstruction. (company publication by Arthrotek)

The second month after the staples came out was the most difficult, not as painful but loads more foot cramps and aches, this was a combination of over-exercise and not having the leg elevated enough. If you stay on your feet too long when NWB then your foot and kee swells (mine goes purple), do this too long and cramps are a cert which painkillers don't touch. You need to keep the foot and leg elevated above you hip and exercise but not too much, how much?, not sure I never got it exactly right and probably everyone is different.