lump on patella tendon...what is it???

[amandalee]

Hey Everyone its me again!!!

I am currently 7 months post-op a Lt Knee Fulkerson's/LR. My current problem is a huge lump on my knee...directly over the patella tendon. Through the swelling its not as noticeable...but if i tighten my quads it becomes quite obvious. At first my doctor thought it might be a seroma(a localized collection of fluid that resembles a tumor) but after asperating the area, and getting NO fluid.. he is unsure of what it is. I had an X-ray done, that showed that the screws are still in place ...and I had an MRI yesterday which i am waiting for results on.

any ideas what this lump could be...has anyone had anything similar?

amanda

[alexg]

I was just doing a search because I have the same issue.  It's starting to cause pain as well.  Any news from your OS what it is?  Mine says scar tissue but I dont buy it.  It's very hard for a scar.  Feels more like bone.

[amandalee]

hey i accually got an MRI which didn't show much because of the screws...but it did show tendinitis...which was causing the lump??? but after a week in a cast(for the wound) the lump was gone!!!
But, this morning i got another lump from the outside of the tendon that was dark blue and quite large...ideas...non. but i'm having the screws removed on wednesday(along with some other things) so i will let you know if they find out what it is/was

have you had any pics? and how long has it been there?

[pauldfc]

Hello, I had a athroscopy about 5 weeks ago, I have torn my cruciateligament completly, The OS decided he wants to strenghting my muscles up to see if i dont need to resort to surgery.  the day after seeing the OS i was playign snooker and i pivoted away from the table causeing me alot of pain in the knee ( anew sort of pain) The knee never gave way but it couldint put weight on it. This happend about 3 weeks ago and the knee is still swollen, When i tighten my quads and try to straighten my leg i get pain on the lower right side of my patella (left leg) kinda feels like the tendon is to small for the movement and is at full stretch. My PT think its just my tibia moved slightly out of place and cause a little damage but i dont believe that as the swelling went down and the movement wasnt fast or sudden. I am so frustrated as after the athroscopy w wasl walking fine and looking forward to going to teh gym and working on my muscles.

[alexg]

hey i accually got an MRI which didn't show much because of the screws...but it did show tendinitis...which was causing the lump??? but after a week in a cast(for the wound) the lump was gone!!!
But, this morning i got another lump from the outside of the tendon that was dark blue and quite large...ideas...non. but i'm having the screws removed on wednesday(along with some other things) so i will let you know if they find out what it is/was

have you had any pics? and how long has it been there?

I'll have to post some pics later today.  It's been there since I had my ACL done in Nov. 

[alexg]

Paul,

You probably popped your knee out since you dont have an ACL.  I did that once stepping down sideways out of a trailer.  It was before I had my surgery to repair my ACL.  The pain your feeling in your left leg is probably swelling in the joint and its keeping your range of motion down.  I would start taking anti imflammatories and icing it alot.

[KatieO]

Amanda and all,
Could you clarify something, going back in time? When you said Fulkerson/ LR, was that done by Dr. Fulkerson or was that the fulkerson TTT thing? What was trying to be fixed at that point? I have patella baja and am hoping to actually see Dr. Fulkerson. My local doc is trying (trying!!) to get in touch with him.
It is astounding all the procedures and what good and not so good can come out of them! How are you now???
KatieO.

[amandalee]

Mine was the Fulkerson/TTT thing.... its the same procedure but i didn't have dr. Fulkerson preforme i(right???)
It was done to correct the patella femoral alignment. And, for the first couple months worked great. unfortunately now, (eight months post op) i think it is slipping toward failure. Let me know if you have any more questions hopefully i can help!


Anyway, everyone else, i have a new problem. The huge blood spot on my knee (according to my PT) is a haematoma?!?
She said that basically one of the blood vessals popped, but in order to due this it would be one of two things. 1. a blood problem (but then i would have them on my hands and back too---and i don't) or 2. a strong hit to the knee (which never happened... i just felt a tug on my leg as i was walking up the stairs and there it was!!)
So, she said i shouldn't have hesitated to show the doctor... and now that it has been there(getting worse rather than better) for 1.5 weeks, i should show him first thing monday. But, what can he do for it? I mean its just some thing you have to wait out isn't it?

amanda

[KatieO]

Hi Amanda,
What is the difference between patellar femoral alignment and patella baja? I know that baja is a shortening of the tendon, pulling down the kneecap. There is so much to learn! I do think a hemotoma is a fancy kind of bruise, but I am not sure. Even if it is just something to watch, it is good to have a doctor watching it with you! It certainly doesn't sound like a blood problem, as you say. No other bruises?
I am really sorry you have one more thing popping up. I am extra sore today from marching in our little Gay Pride March yesterday but it was worth it. I am straight but supportive and our parade, now in existence for 25 years, is an important event in our little community. It really hurt a lot but that is what pain meds and ice are for. I need to pretend that I am functional!
Best,
KatieO

[amandalee]

Hey,

Patella femoral alignment, is the way and place in which the patella tendon attaches to the tibia. In a TTT they take a chunk of the tibial tuberosity, and move it to make the leg straight. Also, along with it they do a lateral release, which helps even more with the tilt. overall, the procedure is to fix the problem of mal tracking.
umm... as far as other bruises i have lots of bruises all over my body from miscellaneous things, but none like the one on my knee.
If you want to pretend you can still do things and deal with the pain after, i fully support you! i did that for many years!!! do you wear anykind of brace when you go out walking and stuff?

AMANDA

[KatieO]

Hi Amanda,
I had a LR 3 years ago. We don't know if the baja is caused by too many surgeries or what. I know I certainly don't track correctly. I had a PT who taped my knee cap to the center and then up on a diagonal for tracking. She thougth that would just be a training thing for my kneecap but i found it made a huge difference. I bought the right kind of tape and tape my knee first thing in the morning and take it off in bed. I haven't had any skin break down so there isn't any problem with it. Without it, the pain is much worse. Hence, we have a tracking issue! I did get a big tight brace from an OS recently to hold the patella in place but it is miserable on. Maybe since I used to have RSD, i canNOT tolerate anything tight on my knee, besides the tape. I can't even wear tights or knee socks. It bugs me. I do have a mega brace from after the ACL reconstruction but it doens't do more than protect allignment. I used to wear it for contra dancing, which is my favorite thing in the world and no longer feasible. That was mostly incase someone smashed me accidently; my knee would be safely caged.
I hope that I am not causing any pain by talking walks and pushing the pilates and yoga but I have to function!!! I am not working at all now (gasp!) so I can ice and elevate after doing things.
Anniversary dates are hard. I am sorry.
KatieO

[amandalee]

hey,
i'm soo sorry. have you heard anything about getting in touch with dr. fulkerson? how long has your doctor been 'trying'?
honestly if i were you i would start calling myself at least twice a day ... you know doctors say they can't get you in for a certain amount of time, but if you bug them enough a spot magically appears!!!wow!

[My Sister Sam]

If Katie is looking to arrange an appointment with Dr. Fulkerson, I can say from experience that she shouldn't be having any difficulty. His staff is right on top of things, and appointments are generally accomodated quite quickly.

[KatieO]

Hi Amanda and all,
Amanda, why do you say that you think the surgery is now failing? That curdles my blood. I am so sorry. I know that we write these things casually, just type them out here, but each one means more unknowns, more pain, more surgeries, or deadends. Tell me how you are. And let me know about the bruise thing. It's today you see the doc?
Thank you both for pushing for Dr. Fulkerson. My GP sent a letter and a history about 3 weeks ago. I don't know if he called directly at that point. He did call Dr. Minas in Boston about the same time and faxed my info. I can't say how aggressively he has been following up. He and I both want these OS to know a little bit of my story and agree that it is worth my going there before making the appointment(s). I will absolutely email my doctor and tell him that Fulkerson's office has been known to be more efficient than this and he should push. I did tell him about all of you! Having a supportive GP who responds to email is a blessing!
KatieO