TTT and Lateral Release Surgery Questions

[hayley6213]

Hi everyone,

I am 16 years old and have been having dislocations on my left knee since I was 3. My right knee started dislocating 2 years ago, but we didn't worry about it as it was very infrequent. I am a very keen sportswoman and my intense training schedule led to my kneecaps getting worse, and I couldnt do any sport or even walk up stairs without pain. I went to a doctor who recommended TTT and lateral release surgery on both my knees (I also got a second opinion), as I have been born with knees that are out of alignment. I am in my last year of high school, so in order to not interrupt my studies I am hoping to have the surgery over the summer holidays at the end of the year (I live in the Southern Hemisphere). I was wondering if anyone has had this surgery or knows anything about the recovery period, mobility, etc. I am going to university next year that is on the other side of the country, and will be living away from home, 3 months after the surgery. I know this will be hard as I will still not have fully recovered, but anyone's thoughts and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

-Hayley

[lisa424]

Have you had any imaging or measurements done to show that the TTT is necessary? Has anyone mentioned mpfl reconstruction? I'd be very cautious about the lateral release on knees that are already dislocating. Unnecessary lateral releases can be devastating.

[joanfan123]

While I can not give you any advice. I am also 16 I am going to start my senior year in September and may be in a very similar situation in a year from now as my OS wants to wait a year before doing any major surgery. I am very curious about this whole prospect of surgery so close to college (I really wanted to do a gap year program abroad but that doesn't seem possible now)

Hope you figure all this out!

[Leentje]

i was back @ work 3 months post-op, as a nurse, so yeah, you'll do fine once you go to uni!

Good luck, anything you want to know, shoot! It's always said as a major surgery with a hard and painfull recovery, in my case I can honestly say it was a lot less painfull as expected, but yet hard. Regaining muscle strenght is the hardest part of the whole post-op blablabla. I can do everything, run like 20K a week, I am acompetitive badmintonplayer and combine 2 jobs on ER/ambulance. Screws are still in my knee, no problems with them. Surgery was 10 years ago, I was 25.

[hayley6213]

I have had a CT scan which shows both my knees are 17mm out of alignment, and my kneecaps both sit part-way out of the sockets, which means they grind as they move (I was born with this) I have tried physio, accupuncture, braces and many more methods but none seem to have worked. I have not heard of that reconstruction, I will certainly look into it as I don't want any more problems than I already have!

Joanfan123, I will keep you updated as best I can about my process, I have pushed the surgery back about a year as well, and after really looking into it I am glad I did. And about going abroad, I say go for it! At least apply and see if you get into a program, I will let you know how my recovery goes but try not let it get in the way of what you want to do

I am glad to hear your surgery was so successful! How long was it before you were put of bed, and before you could bend your knees again? My biggest worry is mobility, and being able to do things myself I guess. It's reassuring that your back into all your sport and busy lifestyle!