Lisa's Fulkerson TTT, Lateral Release & Medial Plication LK- 1/25/11 RK- 4/26/11

[lisa424]

4 weeks now. I'm at 70 degrees now.
I have a question. Are normal knees supposed to have any side to side movement when extended (moving the patella manually)? My knee used to be able to move an inch in each direction. Now I can move it just a little. Is it supposed to be completely stationary?

[JessicaO]

Do you mean the knee cap?? The first time i extended my knee i was like wheres my knee cap? Because my old knee cap (and my left knee) move all over the place when i straighten my leg. So I think that means you knee is fixed? Im sorta in the same boat as you though because I was wondering the same thing. I am also 4 weeks today too. \

Are you still sleeping in your brace? I ditched that thing two weeks ago...not sure if its good though because i move from side to side all night. Does hurt in the morning though.

Also i started to put 50 percent weight on my leg now.

[Runner1993]

The kneecap, I believe, don't quote me on it, is suppose to move some side to side in extension when the quad is not tensed. It's a seasmoid bone meaning it's encased in the tendon. However, it should not move excessively side to side thus why most of us needed it the MPFL reconstruction or in your case, plication, to keep it moving too far to the outside. However, you don't want to overtighten things because if the kneecap doesn't move at all, you won't function right. At my first post-op visit, my orthopedic surgeon moved my operated kneecap then my other one. There was such a difference! It moved so much more less than before, but it still did move. I don't know if you guys have done them, but at physical therapy they do patella mobilizations in which they move the patella around except laterally, mostly they move it medially to prevent the lateral release from scarring down and pulling on the kneecap again.

My kneecap will still occasionally make noises besides leaving me worried I don't think it's anything bad unless it causes extreme pain.

[lisa424]

Thanks, that makes sense. I guess I don't know how a normal knee is supposed to move!

Jessica, I still sleep in my brace (and sleep on my back with my legs straight) It's uncomfortable, but I'm too nervous not to because I move a lot in my sleep. I think that's whats causing my ankle pain...too much pressure. My foot looks a little purple sometimes too, maybe because I'm non weight bearing for another week.

[Lana_O]

Lisa I feel your pain with the brace and pain in the ankles. Mine were so bruised and are still tender, it felt like they were broken. But what helped me, while I was still locked in my brace, even though I could WB since day one, I would unlock my brace while laying, or sitting, and than I used Arnica gel, natural stuff, it took bruises away in 2 days, and ever since I would unlock my brace when not up and around for a few hours, before sleeping time. I mean that way, you will not hurt it any, you're not WB, and you're not twisting it, it's in the brace, just not under the pressure,it made a world of difference for me.

[lisa424]

thanks for the advice.

5 weeks post-op - Hopefully just another week until I can walk. Having such trouble with my ROM. I have to work so hard to get to 80 and then I have horrible pain under my patella. Not fun. Physical therapy starts in a week for me.

[lisa424]

Update: 6 weeks and a couple days.
I'm fwb and walking now. Still using one crutch and a smaller brace (no metal) I started physical therapy 2x a week. My ROM is 100. Full for me is 150 so hopefully I get it all back. My screw site is almost all healed. I can do a SLR as of today. Two days ago I couldn't lift it myself. But I have a lot of pain under my knee when I do lift it. My knee gets swollen after exercise too. I think I'm pushing myself too hard but I only have 5 weeks until my next surgery.

[JessicaO]

hey lisa!

I got my surgery the same day as you as i mentioned earlier. I got to 100 degrees today too. Ive been able to do a SLR since about two weeks post op though. You are getting your other knee done in 5 weeks!? that seems so quick. my doc wont even talk to me about it until 4 months post op.
Well looks like we are about doing the same! thats good.

[lisa424]

I was not allowed to use my quads at all for 6 weeks! I was worried my muscles would not come back so quickly.
5 weeks isn't ideal but I wanna get it over with and I usually don't have health insurance and free time unfortunately.

[Lana_O]

Hi Lisa,
I hope your other surgery goes well. It must be hard to go through recovery and have to be back to work so soon. I admire you for that. I am lucky enough that my work is amazing about this. My bosses said to take my time and think long term, and my work benefits are awesome, still the recovery is gruesome. I don't know how you do it, but my thoughts are with you. Having both of mine knees done at the same time seemed like a crazy idea, and it is challenging, but I would have a hard time with going through it again. Good luck, and speedy recovery.

[lisa424]

Thanks. I'm dreading the second surgery knowing everything I do now. Physical therapy is the worst part. I'm 7 weeks now. My ROM is 110. 115 if I really push it. Still more to go.
I still have pain under my knee when I work on my quads. My vmo is in terrible shape. I hope this gets easier soon. I still have this fear in my mind of more dislocations and damaging my knee. Not fun.

[lisa424]

So much pain from my IT band and my patella tendon. I think I'm working myself too hard. I just wanna walk normally again!

[lisa424]

8 weeks already. I've been in so much pain this week, especially where the medial tightening was. I couldn't do much strength work at PT today, too sore. The stationary bike is helping a lot with my ROM - 125 now. 35 degrees in 2 weeks somehow! Only 25 to go. My hips are still week and as a result my knee gets turned in when I walk, which is not good!
Also, Ive been tachycardic..heart rate of 105 resting! My doctor says it's from being inactive for so long. I've been making an effort to walk a lot more, even though I'm in pain. It's down to 90 now so it seems to be helping.
I'm thinking about pushing my next surgery back a couple weeks. I can't imagine going back in just 3 weeks!

[Fogie]

Hi Lisa,  I would really like to hear how are you doing now & do you think the operation was worth it.  My story is similiar to yours, dislocating & loose knee caps since I was fifteen & I just stopped being active.  I am now 37 & I have decided to get the operation done because I have fallen with every one of my boys in my arms & I also live in fear of my knees going out around my three boys.  I am on a waiting list at the moment.  Looking forward to hearing from you soon.  Hope you are doing well, all the best, Sheila.

[lisa424]

It's kind of early to say if it was worth it/successful. My knee does feel more stable. My kneecap moves 50% less than before. Physical therapy is not fun. My knee is still stiff and some days the pain is really bad.
I'm scheduled for surgery on my right knee in one week. I'm kind of getting sick thinking about going through all this again. I really hope I'll be strong enough to stand on this leg alone and use crutches.
I guess I can always get a wheelchair.
My rom is stuck at 145. I can't seem to get the last 5 back!