Open Debridement and Proximal Z-plasty

[cat]

Welcome back, Pam.
 

[missmyknee]

Hi Janet

Maybe the cortisone needs a little more time if it is going to work. I've never had much luck with those working, but I always give it a shot ( no pun intended) , thinking maybe this will be the time. I don't think you are asking too much to do those simple activities. I think it's good your OS is not satisfied and is looking to find out why you are having problems, better than what most OSs do. I had pain down by the fibular head / IT band area when I had all those combo problems that first yr. In 06 I had the fabella removal , neurectomy/ neurolysis and all the scar tissue removed from everywhere, he also did an IT band z plasty like Heather M had. My IT band was tight and scarred down. With your history, it could all be from scar tissue.

We leave for Cinci on March 17th and go back the 20th. Then I have surgery April 2nd.

CAT !

Thanks for the welcome home    We need to get together for a frappachino 

Pam

[cat]

Just say when,
 

[missmyknee]

23 weeks post op

I am now 23 weeks ( ~6 mos) post op . I have been watching crepitus that had developed below the patella along the tendon. It appeared around Christmas and was very "fine" in texture and faint. It stayed that way until the end of January and then I was able to feel it a little more. I also started feeling tightness in the tissues just below and medially to the patella. Like tape being stretched across that area. Within the last 2-3 weeks, it has really taken off. I now have very easily felt, coarse feeling crepitus, not only below the patella, but all the way around laterally and medially and across the top. The lateral side has more. Two PTs I've had, my regular one and one I've used 3 times these past few weeks have both remarked my patella mobility has really decreased. Patella mobes are now ranging from pretty uncomfortable to painful. I can feel it sticking.  I can also hear it when going down stairs and flexion. I've also been experiencing  swelling again and a return to very warm ...not quite hot, but definately an increase in knee temp. My PT program has not changed since I last posted the exercises. We stopped doing ultra sound because I actually felt it was causing mini flare-ups of nerve pain afterwards.

This is really disheartening, I am glad I kept my plans to go to Cinci next week and have this checked out. I leave Monday and will see them Tuesday and Wed. Surgery is April 2nd.

Pam

[Janet]

Pam:

By now you are in Cinci. I hope that you can get some answers during PT this week. How disappointing to feel you are going backwards even now. I'll be interested to hear what they have to say.

Hope you find some time to have some fun on your "vacation"!

Janet

[missmyknee]

Hi Janet


Made it Cinc last night. the first 3 1/2 hrs driving was thru a nasty rainstorm with periods of blinding rain.    Kids have been at the water park since this am. 

I had PT this morning and it was confirmed about the scar tissue. It didn't take very long , after a few mobes he could feel the scar tissue all over. He said I had 2 problems now , the nerve and scar tissue. He worked doing patella mobes for about 25min and couldn't work it out. The largest thickest areas is below the patella. He said it would have to be done surgically. This particular PT is good at mobes and working it out, if he couldn't, that says alot. We did some stretches, leg press, hamstring curls, balance machine, leg dips, e-tem and ice. I didn't get in on the Dr's PT visit because I had just arrived and hadn't been seen yet , by the PT. RATS !  They said he will know when I come back for pre-op appt and surgery, in 2 weeks.

I am really glad I kept the Spring Break plans and got this seen. Even after all these years , you still think you're getting paranoid and over reactive when you start to feel those very early, small, minute changes ,but your experience and instincts tell you that it was scar tissue all along. Always one step forward and 2 steps back. 

They worked the muscles well, I had alot of muscle fatigue when I was done and I didn't do that many things.

Pam

[Janet]

Pam:

I'm sorry your worst fears were confirmed. But at least now you know and it can be addressed during the surgery. Only a couple more weeks....then you can start with the rehab again. I am praying for you that Dr. Noyes can get this all under control once and for all. It seems to never end for you.

Janet

[Janet]

Pam:

I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with your surgery this week...Wednesday, right?  You're probably in the can't wait/dreading it stage right now LOL. I hope he can make the needed repairs and get rid of the scar tissue once and for all.

Janet

[missmyknee]

Hi Janet

Thank you so much for the good wishes. I need them. My knee has been inflammed all week since last weeks PT session. I did 2 sessions this week and had to really take it easy because the swelling and heat increases. I don't know how good this is to go into surgery with a flare up of inflammation.I told them this week and they had me cut way back.

Yes, I am in the can't wait/ OMG    state. However , everytime I think that way, the needle jabs and burning in the knee are there to remind me that the choice is , can't wait !  Last night was an active night for the nerve symptoms. 

I'll keep it all posted here. We leave Monday, pre-op appts on Tuesday and surgery Wed.

How are you doing since your guided cortisone ?

Pam

[EdD]

Hey Pam:

Good luck next week!   Keep us "posted'!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery,
 Edward

[Janet]

Pam:

Thanks for asking about me in the midst of all your anxiety. The cortisone worked well for a couple of weeks, then wore off. I saw Dr. B on Wednesday and expected him to say, "Well, we tried." But he said that the fact that it worked at all was a good sign. He had hoped it would calm it down enough to get over the pain, but that didn't happen. Now I'm going to have an ultrasound to look inside the tendon for tendonosis, which is what he suspects. If an area can be confirmed, I will see one of his colleagues who has a special interest in tendonosis and has had good success with inserting needles into the area to cause bleeding and healing. So I go back to see Dr. B and have the ultrasound on Tuesday. I asked about the other areas of discomfort, especially laterally, but he wants to concentrate on one thing at a time. He's guessing it's all related, but there's no way to know for sure.

Have a safe trip. I'll be praying for you and sending best healing wishes your way!

Janet

[missmyknee]

Hi Edward and Janet

Edward,

Thank you for wishing me well on my surgery. It is much appreciated    I will keep you posted.

Janet,

That is very interesting about causing the tendon bleed. I recently was searching thru some articles and came across a similar treatment , only for ACLs. I believe I read where a doc was causing a small amount of bleeding to occur at the graft attachment to strengthen where it is attached. I wish I could remember where I read this ! Would something like that need to be watched carefully, since you have AF and could produce too much tissue healing from a small bleed ?


Well, all those last minute preparations have been done today. I hope I didn't forget anything 

Pam

[skibum9]

Hi Pam

I hope you had a safe trip to Cinci. Best of luck with your surgery and I wish you a speedy recovery.Keep us posted and say hi to the gang for me.

Sharon

[Jaci]

Hello Pam,

Hope all goes well with your surgery and recovery.

Best wishes,

Jaci

[missmyknee]

Hi Sharon and Jaci

Thanks so much ladies, mucho appreciated. 

 Had a very difficult time traveling, knee bahaved poorly and the weather was nasty. The winds were terrible, 35-40mph sustained with 60-70 mph wind gusts and pouring down rain. DH talked to someone, at the gas station, with a motor home, equipped with wind gauge. It clocked 70 mph.  We saw 3 semi trucks blown off the road, lying on their sides and a modular house laying on the side of the road.    This went on thru Missouri and Illinois ( 6 hrs driving). Finally saw clearing thru Indiana and the rest of the way. Whew !!! We made it 

Sharon, of course I'll say HI for you !  Thanks for the good wishes 

Off to bed, with a busy day tomorrow.

Pam