Author Topic: Lisa's Fulkerson TTT, Lateral Release & Medial Plication LK- 1/25/11 RK- 4/26/11 (Read 5513 times)

JessicaO · « **Reply #30 on:** April 19, 2011, 12:53:33 AM »

Wow i cant believe you are getting the other one done so quick. i had my surgery on the same day. Dont even worry about that last 5 degrees! im stuck at 110

so good for you even getting to 145, i thought 145 was all the way anyways.

good luck with surgery next week!!

lisa424 · « **Reply #31 on:** April 19, 2011, 07:42:00 PM »

Thanks! I can't believe I'm getting it done so soon either! If it wasn't for the money/time I'd wait. Unfortunately my unemployment ends in august and then I need to find work again or I'll be broke! If I don't get it done now I don't know when I'd be able to. I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow to get clearance and make sure the surgery leg is ok.
I know a couple other people on this forum had theirs done with little time between so hopefully it's ok.
Two broken legs in one year...not fun!
As far as my ROM, I'm hypermobile, which sucks, so I hardly had to work on it. Don't worry about yours though, I'm sure it'll come back soon enough.

lisa424 · « **Reply #32 on:** May 06, 2011, 04:22:01 PM »

Ok, so I had the same procedures done on my right knee on 4/26, last Tuesday. I also had the screw on my left knee removed - same day. Let's just say this all went much worse than last time for some reason. I've never been in so much pain in my life. I guess my body was not happy about having a second surgery so soon. I was in the hospital for 3 days, in excrutiating pain. Even morphine wasn't helping. The swelling and bruising was way worse this time. I didn't have the energy to get up. When I did, I got terrible blood rushes. My doctor said the surgery went well, not that that made me feel any better. Honestly, if the pain was this bad the first time, I would never have done the second.
I made it home somehow. I'm using a walker now, because my left leg is still weak, and crutches felt unsteady. My left leg is also in a lot of pain from having to do all the work. I have to use my arms a lot just to stand up. I think my left knee hates me! I can feel a little hole where the screw was. Gross.
Now, I'm on oxycontin and percocet, sleeping most of the day. My leg is still swollen and I have hematomas from the bad bruising. Also, my heart rate got even higher, so I'm having bad palpitations too. This has all been a nightmare. Glad I only have two legs! My doctors been really unsympathetic about my pain, which really sucks. He doesn't even think I should be in pain anymore! That's just insane! I'm really upset with him. I think everything that could go wrong this time around did. I'm kind of miserable right now!

JessicaO · « **Reply #33 on:** May 06, 2011, 04:30:57 PM »

Lisa,
I was just thinking about you yesterday and I was hoping you were going to write soon. My heart sunk when I read your post. I am so sorry this is happening to you. That is horrible. It will get better, you know it will. Please keep your head up and just try and sleep away the pain.

Good luck

Rknees4 · « **Reply #34 on:** May 06, 2011, 04:56:15 PM »

Lisa,
So sorry to hear you are having a rough go this time out.

Time will fix most of it. Just hang in there the first 2/3 weeks are the worst and things will start to calm down. Your body is just tired of trying to heal itself but it will. Get as much sleep as you can keep that knee and the other elevated and iced and you will make it.
Remember you need extra calcium now lots of yogurt, cheese and milk and if necessary a suppliment.
Take Care, Know that we are all here for you to cry with.
Rknees4

lisa424 · « **Reply #35 on:** May 06, 2011, 09:40:33 PM »

Thanks guys. I figure the worst of it is over at least. I'm pretty much icing it 24/7 now, even when I sleep. I'm also living on chocolate milk! What's weird is last time, my left knee felt real numb..it's still a little numb is some areas. But, the right knee is not numb at all. Maybe that's part of why the pains worse. Really, I just wish my doctor had more compassion. At least the people on this forum know what I'm going through!

lisa424 · « **Reply #36 on:** May 14, 2011, 01:12:28 AM »

2.5 weeks now. The pains a little better. I'm not nearly as active this time. It's hard to stand up using just my left leg. It's still really weak and I'm afraid I'm gonna damage it. My bone kinda aches with every step. I'm trying to exercise it while lying down. The swelling went down a bit on the right knee. I can do 30 degrees pretty easily.
Right now I guess I'm just bored and frustrated. I've spent so much of this year handicapped. I hate being trapped indoors but I work up a sweat just getting to the bathroom and back. And now that I'm using a walker instead of crutches it's more inconvenient. I really can't wait for this brace to come off.

Rknees4 · « **Reply #37 on:** May 14, 2011, 01:31:45 AM »

Hey Lisa,
Hang in there it will get easier. Your left leg will get stronger as you use it. I didn't get my second knee done so soon because I knew it would be too difficult I waited just over a year before the second round. My right balked at the extra work right after surgery #2.Take Care the time will pass and you can then get on with your life.

Rknees4

lisa424 · « **Reply #38 on:** May 28, 2011, 03:38:05 AM »

4.5 week update. Time flies I guess. I really wish I'd waited for the second surgery. I found out right after my second surgery that I could get disabled status on my parents insurance so I didn't have to rush it after all. Oh well, it's done now. My left leg got weaker somehow! I guess because I'm not walking much. My right knee is still swollen. I'm way behind on my ROM this time. I can only get to 40. I guess my right knee was always tighter. The left is stuck at 140. I don't know if I'll get the last 10 back ever. It's too painful. Also my doctor says that the patella is catching on scar tissue. Ugh. Might need to get that removed eventually. I feel like my knees look all gross and bony. And my vmo is still non existent. Here's a picture of my scars. They look a little worse in person, excuse the bad flash.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b303/usclisa/Knees%202011/photo.jpg?t=1306553533

pngwnchica · « **Reply #39 on:** May 08, 2012, 11:06:37 PM »

I am 24 y/o female considering my first TTT. I have been active for about 10 years and remain active as best I can to this day. My damage is not too bad yet, and I have no other problems other than the chondromalacia and mal-tracking patellae (a result of femoral anteversion). It has only been really bad for 2-3 years and the Dr suggests I get a Fulkerson Procedure before the damage gets worse.

I have seen plenty of posts immediately post op, but I am interested in hearing more about the procedure after 1-2 years or more. Would you be able to give us an update on how your knees are doing now?

lisa424 · « **Reply #40 on:** May 09, 2012, 01:14:49 AM »

Personally I had a terrible doctor at Nyu. The surgeries were not right for me. I have anteversion as well. I hadn't had any real measurements taking prior to those surgeries. It turned out that lateral releases were the worst for unstable knees- very outdated procedures. Also the fulkersons made everything worse with the anteversion. I ended up with medial instability and a whole lot of pain. Essentially everything had to be reversed. I probably only needed an mpfl reconstruction in the first place.
I would say don't rush into anything. Get a rotational Ct scan or mri. Find out what your TT-TG measurement is. And make sure you see someone who specializes in patello femoral issues. My new doctor is amazing.
PM me if you want more info.