WHAT OF TENDONS, LIGAMENTS & MUSCLES

[bavage]

Got a real surprise at PT today. They now have me hopping about like a rabbit and I asked after the muscles. I wanted to know what the surgeon did with them after the TKR.

Well, that led to talk about the tendons and the ligaments,also.

So, who knows if the ligaments are removed?

And the tendons and muscles...are they re-attached? removed?

Somehow, these questions never came up and I'm curious if any on the board might have an answer(s).

Thanks

[Patty0513]

I did ask my OS about the ligaments and tendons.  With a standard TKR, the cruciate ligaments are removed.  Using cruciate-retaining TKR components allows the PCL to be left intact.  The collateral ligaments are always left intact.  The medial structures that are cut to allow the patella to be inverted are reattached.  The only one I didn't inquire about was the quad tendon, so I don't know if that one is sutured back together or just allowed to heal and fill in with scar tissue.

Hope that helps.

Patty

[Janet]

I lost my ACL, but all the other ligaments were left intact.

Janet

[jathib]

You need to ask your surgeon as they can use different techniques. It used to be that all four ligaments were removed. Now, that isn't necessarily the case. Depends on the doctor.

[wanna]

As has been said above it differs by OS and also how bad your knee is.

I've had a bagful of operations and the knee replaced 3 times (long story as to why and shouldn't affect you)

However I lost more and more after each op.
For example after Op1 - everything was in place. After Op 3 - i lost my ligaments

After my last Op, I lost not only my patella tendon but also knee cap.

i think you have to ask your OS what he has done and what has gone. Without the knowledge you and your physio will find it very hard to know what to exercise and what they can help.

I know have a hinged joint and I'm like one of those wobbly toys. I can slip . slide etc and I (nearly always) don't fall over. the hinge throws me back into line a bit like a metal doll.
If I did not why (or my physio) we would have real fun.

[bavage]

Thank you, one & all. The next stop is to the OS for the facts.