Permanent muscle loss??

[likewoa2007]

Is there such a thing as permanent muscle loss (quadricep loss) after ACL surgery?  I'm going on 11 months and my muscle still lacks muscle tone. There is a loss of muscle control, muscle tone, and loss of muscle mass because maybe the lack of nervous stimulation to the muscles? I'm not sure but I'm going in for nerve tests (EMG, NCS).  I'm unable to squat on my bad leg, can't get down stairs, and the muscle doesn’t allow me to put much weight on leg because there is no tone to the muscle.
I hope that they find nerve damage because the lack in muscle is not allowing me to walk right and do the normal functions to this point.  If I sit for too long or place much activity on my leg, the knee locks up severely. The surgery did moor harm then good to me.  Anyone out there that has had this happened to them or know something about this?
Thanks

[Rennschnecke]

Sounds like you may have nerve damage and that you're being attended to for that.

Nerve damage always happens in surgery because the OS is cutting through tissue.  However, nerves normally grow back in a way to enable you to resume function.  It sounds as though in your case this hasn't happened and it's a rare complication.

I hope they can sort something out for you soon.  One thing you can look into is SCENAR technology.  This has a good track record of helping with neuromuscular problems and pain.  Just put SCENAR into Google and it'll pull up a number of sites for you to dig into.

[KinnaMarie]

I am going through the same thing...although I didn't tear my ACL.  I had a fulkerson osteotomy, lateral release, removal of scare tissue, and ligament work the beginning of this year.  My OS is extremely unhappy with the way I walk and it concerned him and my PT's so he sent me for a EMG/NCS.  They found I have nerve damage in my lower leg which is affecting the way I walk.  I also, like you, have absolutely no muscle in my quad.  I can't squat, go down stairs, and my leg gives out very easily due to no muscle and the fact that I now have nerve damage.  I have been working on gaining the muscle back since about 3 weeks after surgery, but it isn't coming back. 

So now in PT I am constantly hooked up to to a TENS unit to make my muscle wake up.  They place it on my quads and I go through all the strengthening exercises with it on. Then I sit on the table and they hook it up to my ankle to help with the nerve issue.  So far I am not noticing a difference, but it has only been a week.  My OS also wants to put me on a steroid to attempt to help the nerve issue, but I am afraid to take meds....  It's called predisone, but it has a huge list of side affects so I have yet to call him back to get the prescription...   

Hope this info. helps!   

[raul]

i am extremely sorry for the problems you are dealing with! and i am trying to find out if i have a condition similar to yours or not. just as you said, i can't go downstairs, i can't squat on the affected leg and i feel that entire leg unstable, not only the knee, but the hip and ankle also. and i have an extremely big pain all around my knee, not necessarily inside of it, altough i have regained a big part of my muscle mass. when you are trying to plant your foot, do you feel an extremely big pain in your leg that simply makes all of your muscles loose tone instantly? because this is what i feel. i can make the movement in the air ( hardly, though ) but when i plant my foot, the pain around my knee , especially in the medial side under my knee makes all of my muscles loose their tone and i feel my entire leg unstable. does anyone else experience this thing? best wishes for all of you !

[luvtayal]

Hi all, I went through my 2nd ACL recon 3 months back and the same kind of Pain Started like a month back and it does so bad as the day progresses that it get difficult for me to walk around.. I am just 25yr old and I drive a lot. I asked my Doc and mt PT if thats the reason, they just said that the problem lies with the repeatitive surgeries on the same part of the body and apparently I have a condition known as "Soft Tissue Abbrasions" U should probably ask your Doc if thats the same case with you!! Coz I m doing extensive PT, but have no relief whatsoever!!!
The only reason I got the 2nd ACl is cos my Knee had Locking n a lot of pain(only if I overstress myself).. But now I really think I shouldn't have gone through it cos my knee locks up even now and the pain in 100% more than before!

[kamerin99]

i have the same problem with nerve damage ? cant squat down either, i re-injured my leg on jan 1, 2013 fractured femur had surgery they put three more screws in now im even more limited with range of motion. i feel like my acl re-tore but due to insurance defeciencies my liagment issues were not addressed... >:
now doctor says i have severe arthritis and the next step would be knee replacement.... Im now unable to hardly get up stairs at home - damaging my good knee....

[Clarkey]

Hi All,

I had my medical plica removed and fat pad trimmed in November 2009 on my right knee and since then my right quads have shrunk and never been able to get them to the same size as my left and before my latest fall and new knee injury was a very competitive regular runner. Took 18 months of PT before my right knee was ready for running again.

I have been told by my PT that I have very tight knotted muscles that's contributing to my knee and hip pain I am getting and hope PT does the trick.

nickwclarke2013@BhamUK