Lysis of Scar Tissue Surgery (Margaret's sugery)

[wofford99]

Yesterday I felt a sharp pain underneath my patella in the medial facet (chondral defect down to bone) and this pain has continued today when I bend my knee and walk.  I guess it could be a piece of scar tissue but it is a very sharp pain.  After all of these surgeries, I've never experienced anything like this.  If anyone has ever had symptoms like this I would welcome any advice.  I go back to see my OS on November 11.  Thank you! Margaret

[wofford99]

I had my knee drained/aspirated today and also had a cortisone injection. Fun day to say the least. I've had escalating pain over the past week from the chondroplasty 3 weeks ago.  Today before pharmacology class, my patella locked on me.  It hurt so bad.  I got into see my OS this afternoon.  He drained it because my kneecap was just floating on fluid.  He pulled off 10 cc which is not that much but then he gave me a cortisone shot.  The combination and pressure of them really hurt.  I got lightheaded and passed out.  
  The lidocaine wore off tonight around 10 pm and I am in so much. Thought I might go to the ER but wanted to avoid it.  I hope this helps. Margaret

[SarahSmile]

Hi Margaret,

While I haven't experienced all of the problems you have listed, I can't add much input with respect to that. However, I have experienced excruciating pain and a proliferation of scar tissue and know how awful it is.

I just wanted to say that I feel for you deeply and hope things improve soon. I know what it's like to be in unbearable pain, and you shouldn't have to go through this- you've already been through so much.

Please go to the ER if you can't stand the pain- it's really not healthy to torture yourself like this...plus, you'll be able to sleep much better tonight and get the healing and rest that your body deserves.

I just don't think there's any benefit to trying to be tough and not go...although, we've all done it.... we don't win an award for how strong or brave we've been with 'grinning and bearing the pain'...or not getting meds when we need it- if you need them, then get them or go to the ER!
I hope you get better soon! Please call your OS tomorrow to to see what his thoughts are as well.

Take care,
Sarah

[wofford99]

I posted under the crisis board.  I had a cortisone shot into my patellar tendon about 2 weeks ago.  I was walking down the hall in the hospital today doing rounds.  My knee popped and I had horrendous pain at the junction of the patella and patellar tendon.  It's like the lower part of my kneecap (no cartilage left) rubbed something.  The pop was so loud people in the hall heard it and asked if it was my ACL.  I had immediate swelling and pain.  Sometimes I'll be walking and this rubbing thing will happen but never this severe.
   I'm trying to figure out if the pain came from a partial patella tendon rupture or a meniscal tear.  I have chronic inflammation, have had lots of cortisone, etc.  To make matters worse, I called my OS to explain the situation.  I was calm about it and because I was so calm they said he couldn't see me this week.  If I would have been some Nilly off the street- I would have been screaming and they would have seen me!  I'm sure he figured he can't do anything.  I just want an x-ray or someone to figure out if it's meniscal or patellar tendon.
    Any ideas about the pop or what I should do?  I guess I'll go to my family doctor which is useless. Margaret

[wofford99]

Hi Everyone-
I haven't posted in a long time.  School has been so hectic. Unfortunately, my knees are getting worse.  I continue to have morphine and marcaine injections every 4 months.  My pain management physician said no more cortisone because he says the cortisone is probably contributing to the cartilage breakdown.  My orthopedic surgeon mentioned that I would be a candidate for a patellofemoral replacement in both of my knees.  After 14 surgeries including TTTs, I wish something would work.  I'm almost 29 and my OS says he would like to wait as long as we can but he doesn't want to keep doing scopes although they are necessary.  The chondromalacia on the patella and trochlear grooves is progressing with my left knee much worse than the right.  I had x-rays done on Friday which showed that now the lateral compartment of my left knee is beginning to narrow. 
      I've been doing my orthopedic surgery clerkship with my orthopedic surgeon and participating in total joint replacements has given me a whole new outlook on replacements.  The success rates of TKA are good but boy are they invasive surgeries.  I think now I've seen too much! I'm on my feet about 11 hours a day and my knees are taking a beating.  The morning stiffness and pain now lasts for about 4-5 hours. 
    I've just had cortisone injections into my 1st MTP joints in my feet (big toe joints).  Evidently I have arthritis in my feet also.  I've been told a fusion of the joints is in my near future.  My altered gait due to my knees is now catching up with my feet.  I just want to feel better.  I hope everyone is doing ok!