The patello-femoral joint :

about to have PFR - - Posted by deb49 (deb49), 11 January 2005

Hi everyone.  I've been reading some of your messages and finally decided to come aboard.  I am having a PFR on the 13th of Jan (05).  Am having femoral block and versed and only to be in hosp for 23 hours.  I had a arthroscopy in June'04 with no success.  Originally, my MD said I would be able to walk but that was about it...no biking, nothing.  He wanted to wait til I was in my 50's to do replacement.  Well, after talking with the PA and MD, my QOL became a big issue for me and he was ok with doing it now.  I am most concerned with rehab and of course pain control.  I hope to follow up and let anyone know how it goes ( who's interested ) so, hopefully it will answer questions for someone else facing this surgery.
Posted by kmap71 (kmap71), 11 January 2005

Dear Deb,

Welcome to the world of PFJR.  I just had mine on Dec. 28, 2004.  I'm doing quite well, considering I went through hell in the hospital.  You can read all about my story in the post-op diary portion of this sight.  The Subject is "PFJR Dec. 28, 2004".  

It is good that you are having the femoral block.  You shouldn't regret it.  I didn't and wish I would've.  I paid for it dearly.

May I inquire of your age?  I'm 33 and it was VERY difficult to find a doctor to do this surgery.

Rehab has been pretty easy for me, but it all depends on the person I think.  

Pain control is another issue that depends on the person and the doctor who prescribes the pain control meds.  Help him/her to help you.

Please post your story under the post-op diary section in this bulletin board and keep us posted of your progress!  Inquiring minds need to know!!!

Here's hoping your surgery goes off without a hitch and you recover well.   I sincerely wish you the best and will be thinking of you.

Sincerely,

SoonerBeth aka kmap71
Posted by kmap71 (kmap71), 11 January 2005

Deb,

I also wanted to tell you the prosthetic that was used in my knee.

Here's the sight, it's thought (by my doc of course) to be one of the best.  Judging from how I'm feeling so far (only two weeks out), and the x-ray of it I saw today, it's a pretty darned good one and easily converted to a TKR later on if necessary.

http://www.biomet.com/surgeons/products/index.cfm?p=0A0604

Wishing you well!  And let us know which prosthetic your OS uses, okay?

SoonerBeth aka kmap71
Posted by deb49 (deb49), 11 January 2005

Hi Kmap71..I am 49 y/o.  I will try to keep this updated..I am new to this "posting on the bulletin board", so, if not under post op, then refer to this category.  Iam about to go to your story and am glad you are doing well.   Deb
Posted by kmap71 (kmap71), 11 January 2005

Deb,

Do you know which prosthetic they are using in your knee?  Why no general anesthesia?  The femoral block will surely help with post-op pain, but I wouldn't advise not being knocked out!  ugh..the things they do during this surgery!  Has your surgeon done this procedure before?

Elizabeth
Posted by rosswelde (rosswelde), 11 January 2005

Hi Deb - I am 46 and had my PFR on October 20, 2004. My surgeon had no problem regarding my age do to the extent of my injury.  My rehab has been slow, in part because this is my third surgery since shattering my patella 2 1/2 years ago. I have a lot of scar tissue and significan muscle wasting.

My biggest problem has been ROM. I was stuck at about 90 degrees for 6 weeks, but recently I broke the 100 degree mark and I am currently at 115.

In terms of pain, this is very individual. My pain has been worse than I imagined but it is starting to ease up a bit.  Right now, I can not say whether or not I am happy about the surgery as I do not feel any better  than I did pre-operatively. I do believe this will change though and I am starting to see some improvement. My surgeon says that it takes between 6 months and a year to know exactly how good it will get.

I have always been extremely athletic and my hope is to return to some of my previous activities.  That is the real reason that I underwent the surgery (although pain control was a secondary reason).

Good luck and visit us on the post-op site.

Robin
Posted by deb49 (deb49), 11 January 2005

Hi again..thanks for responding..By not using a gen anesthesia hosp stay shorter...they will heavily sedate me with versed and do a femoral and sciatic nerve block for the surgery.  My MD specializes in knee only and is a frontrunner with this surgery, along with other innovative techniques.  I have confidence in him...it's me the wimp..    I will keep an eye out for any responses before the surgery the day after tomorrow.....I think you all are so kind your concern and responses...thanks..I'm not alone
Posted by deb49 (deb49), 11 January 2005

Whoops..I'm sorry Elizabeth..I believe it is Avon .....deb
Posted by Leta_MT (Leta_MT), 12 January 2005

Hi Deb!

I posted to your post on the post-op thread this morning. Your anesthesia is the same as mine was and I can't say enough good things about it! I took very little oral pain meds post-op and none IV during my stay in the hospital. When I got home, I WAY over medicated myself in anticipation of extreme pain when the fem cath wore off. It never came. I did not have to refill any prescriptions for pain meds and only took one Vicodin at night as my shin would ache from the TTT that was done at the same time. You are definitely going to be glad you had the fem cath! Don't worry about being released so soon either. You may be able to stay if you need to, but I'll bet you will be ready to get home.

You sound like you have a very good specialist. I'm sure it will be fine and you will sail through it! I am 43 and had the Avon (along with the nasty tibial tubercle transfer!) back in June. I was just released by my OS and am still seeing improvement everyday.

We will keep up with your posts and be here to answer your questions. There's getting to be a few PFR patients on this board now. There was only one back when I was preparing for mine so you are lucky!  

Take care and try not to worry!

Leta
Posted by deb49 (deb49), 12 January 2005

Hi Leta...THANK YOU!!  You probably have relieved 50% of my anxiety.  I couldn't find anything about anyone having it done like this and was worried.  I know everyone experiences things differently, but perhaps there is hope I will have a good outcome as you did.  I don't understand this time difference on this bulletin board, but am scheduled for 12 noon on the 13th.  Hope we keep in touch along with everyone else who has responded to this posting.  Thanks again.  deb
Posted by kscamper (kscamper), 12 January 2005

Deb...I believe the time difference is because this site is out of the UK.  Where do you live?  I am in Kansas, Leta is Montana, Nancy is NY and Elizabeth is Oklahoma.  We also have Julie from Syndey Australia but haven't heard from her for awhile.

Good luck tomorrow.  Our thoughts will be on you around noon!  You'll do great!  And as Julie says...Keep your pecker up!

Sheila
Posted by deb49 (deb49), 13 January 2005

Hi Sheila..I'm from Indiana...yes..figured out UK ...trying to get all the last minute stuff done before tomorrow....Still a little nervous, but keep dreaming of riding a bike again and maybe bowling...I will post when I get home....thanks for your support     deb

This old Forum was so valuable that we have kept it as an archive. It is just for reference. If you want to ask questions or offer advice, there is also a current Bulletin Board which you can access from our home page.

Hunting for information is a slow process. browsing through these topics will probably raise a lot of questions in your mind. Don't forget that there is a whole site behind these forums - just click the 'KNEEguru' home button at the top left of your page when you are ready to access it.