Has my lateral release failed !

[captainruss]

Tinker,

My problem is I was told if she is not aligned, the lateral release will just make things worse.  I am told that a CT scan is necessary to get the degree it is out of alignment prior to any surgery??

I am just learning, but I am told if more is wrong than a LR will cure, then she needs another surgery.  I have had multiple surgeries and really have not done anything but regress. 

I am looking at patellafemoral specialists listed on this site, but need to arrange travel to visit them.

Russ

[Tinkerbell11]

Yeah I havE heard that aswell yeah lateral release wouldnt be enough . Yeah I would Certinaly see a specialist having this surgery I found The hardest part was decision with it getting a bad name and I also had anothe os tell me not to get it .. But went ahead with the specialist opinion yeah the travel will be worth it if it helps your daughter and her knee ! X

[Tinkerbell11]

Would love to no how people gained there confidence back with walking after surgery cause I am like a nervous reck with it especially after knee given way twice which was very painful and feels like I am walking on a broken leg constantly ... Will it just come to me when muscles are stronger any advice with it cause really getting frustrated os gave me a brace to help with confidence and feels good when I were it but don't want to get attached to it and have to get myself off it .. Or is it good to just use it and when muscles are stronger will I just feel normal again with walking ! And walking downhill is a nightmare ! Have lost all my confidence with walking still using one crutch don't want to let go of it x

[Brambledog]

Hi Tinks,

Hey, don't beat yourself up about this. I am still using two crutches, I can walk around my house fine without them, but out and about I just don't have the confidence, and sometimes my knee does buckle and I need that support. If you feel safer with the crutch, then use it. It wouldn't be sensible to ditch it altogether of you are still having some instability at times. The confidence will come back along with your quad strength - the better your knee is supported, the less unstable it feels, the more control you have.... You'll get there, it just takes some time, and as your OS said, the recovery time for your procedure isn't super fast. You'll be able to ditch the brace when your knee is stronger, you're so determined, I know you'll be logical about stuff like that. Give yourself a break!

Give yourself time, you're doing well at this. Keep it up!

Brams 

[captainruss]

Tink,

I have a lot of instability due to losing my knee cap at 17.  My OS prescribed a knee brace that has degree settings.  I can dial up the maximum degree of flexion from 20 degrees to 120 degrees.  I sometimes fall as my knee gives out and it is like stepping in a hole.  With this brace, I set it at 55 degrees or 60 degrees and can walk with confidence.

Just an idea.

Russ

[Tinkerbell11]

Thanks brams just feel it's taking forever ! Would help if a could start to see a difference these quads really don't want to work yeah my brace is set for full movement feel the difference when I were it but it's so big ! Gets in the way of everything x

[aaa]

Hi Tinkerbell, curious what brace you are wearing, what brand / model is it?

I'm recovering from MPFL / LPFL surgery.  I am 4 weeks post-op now.  I am still on crutches sometimes, sometimes a cane.

I simply cannot walk without them yet, except once in a while for a few steps.  It does take time.   Things are healing up and there is still inflammation, so I think I still have a ways to go.

I guess what you want to be seeing is some progress, even if its a little.  Some days will be harder, but the general trend should be improvement.  Major setbacks, IMHO, should not really be happening unless there is some unfortunate accident like a fall or slip on ice for example.

Hope the brace will get you on track and things go better going forward.

[Tinkerbell11]

Am not sure what make it isn't doesn't say its the size of my leg with metal down the outside it's from the nhs so didn't buy it I am unsure what u mean about the setbacks cause my os and physio didn't see it problem said muscles are so weak can't support my weight hope u get better soon and ur recovery goes smooth for u

[Brambledog]

Sounds like the one I have - a full leg brace which goes from ankle to hip, hinged at the knee which can be set to limit movement.

Sorry you got one of those Tinks! I really thought they'd give you a smaller one, obviously they think that knee needs a lot of support! I wouldn't worry too much though, you've been checked and your OS is happy with things. It's just going to take a while to rebuild the strength of those muscles. I'm in a similar situation myself, and it is frustrating, but you'll get there. Baby steps...

Keep smiling, best recovery aid there is! Take care matey.

Brams 

[Tinkerbell11]

Thanks brams it's a nightmare of a thing do u not think ? Yeah a thought a would of got a little one ! Yeah muscles are shocking legs getting so thin Yeah ur right with baby steps yeah keep thinking there's worse people than me !

[Brambledog]

The muscle wastage thing IS scary. What you've got to remember is that when you've got the brace on, your leg muscles aren't really working properly, and will contribute to the wasting. So you need to be doing as much PT and exercises as you can when it's off to counteract that. Follow your OS's instructions re how long to wear it for etc, but any time that you can take it off, keep the leg moving a bit. Even quad contractions while sitting really help. When I sit I like to rest up  but I find if I put some music on with a good beat and I tend to tap my foot to it. It's not much, but even that little movement is twitching muscles in your calf, ankle and thigh. Anything is better than nothing is my motto!! And docs have found that you actually burn quite a lot of calories twitching regularly!!

If you get worried by it, talk to your physio next time you see them. They will have dealt with that problem many times before and will be able to give you some tips. It's all normal, but you want reassurance sometimes!

I did indeed find it a nightmare! It's huge, makes your leg hot, heavy, tends to slip down etc?!  Luckily I don't use mine now, but I remember it well! I actually found that mine stayed put better over jeans - it grips the fabric better I think. You can also look at taping to help it stay in place. There's a thread on KGs somewhere discussing braces and ways to make them comfier. You can also google it for ideas, I found that helpful.

Have a nice evening Tinks!

Brams 

[captainruss]

I use a special brace my OS ordered that lets me dial in the number of degrees of range of motion.  I get muscle exercise but don't fall into a hole...so to speak or fall completely.  I limit mine to just past my ROM for the day and it keeps me from abusing the joint.  I need to look at the brand and model number.

Russ

[Tinkerbell11]

Thanks guys ... Was at the gym today done well but when I was on leg press when I push with bad leg with the weight when I straighting it with the weight there's like a cracking noise it makes when it's straight and feels funny any ideas ? But have to say os was shocked the other day how good leg doesn't hurt with bad one tracking so badly and good one has a tilt .. But it's been sore thought with putting all my weight on it lead with it on stairs and stuff ... But was killing me today worse than operated one ... Walked up stairs and was agony and cracking like operated one used to do ! Don't think a could go through another lateral release how can I stop it going same way ? Feel a notice it cause operated knee is brilliant when I go to gym and swim would be amazing if muscles were better ! Would appreciate any info thanks knee geeks 21 and knees like a 71 year old xxx

[aaa]

Its not uncommon to develop pain in the other leg, especially if limping around and leaning on it alot when getting up etc.   Its often a difficult situation, since it can be near impossible to walk without a limp and go up stairs without favoring one leg when the other isn't quite working yet.

 I know its hard, believe me I have been there ... you may need to be careful with both legs.  I ended up relying on my arms a lot to get up and down, and do stairs.  I also had to limit my movement, and ice quite a bit.  My arms got really strong! haha

Check with your PT if they have advise ... they may just say 'stop limping' like they said to me, sometimes the PT doesn't get it either, but maybe they'll have some better advise

Not sure about the cracking noise as your staighten the leg, maybe your OS can take a look?

[krunzer]

My knee snaps and pops and cracks like crazy too when I go to do extension exercises or do the sideways step-up.  PT said this was 'normal' and that it could be scar tissue or since the kneecap is realigned that the cartilage is wearing itself because of the new position.  Usually in all my other injuries it goes away once I get stronger, so I am hoping this is the situation with me again as well as you.