The patello-femoral joint :
Looking for doctor/clinic recommendations - - Posted by chad (birdman33), 18 January 2005
I'm looking for a new doctor who specializes in sports medicine and knees. A quick run down of my history. I've had 6 surgeries - Carticel and an Elmslie-Trilliat being the biggest - on my right knee. I injured it playing basketball and broke some cartilage off the trochlea. After Carticel I had to have 3 surgeries due to 'overgrowth' at the Carticel site. It's been almost 4 years since the Carticel implant and I'm still not back to doing what I want - jogging and basketball/tennis.
Right now in the last 30 degrees of flexion there is a LOT of crackling/catching/grinding. An MRI shows that the surface of my kneecap is degenerating, causing the pain/irritation. My doctor really doesn't think he can improve it and I'm frustrated. Not so much at him - he's been very good to me and I can't complain - but more at the situation. I'm only 31 and do not believe I should have to accept the recommendation to 'LOWER' my exercise level and live with it. I can still walk fine, do stairmaster/elliptor/weights, but I am looking for more.
I'm now looking for a new place to go since I have no more options with my current doc. My doc is good enough that would even let me get a 2nd opinion of a doctor in Atlanta that's done a ton of Carticel surgeries. While that may be a good option, I am looking for recomendations. At this point, honestly, I'm willing to travel anywhere to see if I can have a chance at improving this. One place in particular I've heard a LOT about is the Stone Clinic. It's in San Fran - and I'm in upstate NY. Long ways away, but if they truly are the best I'd give them a shot - if they accepted me. If anyone can give me some input into the Stone Clinic - or even better - I'd be incredibly grateful. Thanks!!
Posted by Linds (Linds), 18 January 2005
http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/html/names/cvs/grelsamer01.html
this Surgeon sometimes participates on this board, you can check out his website and things, I've heard only good things.
Linds
Posted by mike_bknee (mike_bknee), 18 January 2005
http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/html/names/cvs/grelsamer01.html
I agree with Linds. I wish I were in upstate New York. I would have seen Dr. Grelsamer already. 
Posted by Kim_W (Kim_W), 19 January 2005
I know Burlington, MA would be a drive for you, but the orthopedic staff at Lahey Clinic seems to know what they are doing. Good luck
Posted by JG (JG), 19 January 2005
I live in the San Francisco area. I have severe osteochondral defects (all three compartments) and have been treated with osteocondral allografts plugs (mosaicplasty procedure). I've done lots of research on alternative procedures. My current OS refused to do ACI (Carticel) for the exact reason you are having problems, overgrowth. I have asked many PT's and a few surgeons about Stone's procedures (articular cartilage paste grafting). The PTs basically said that if it was an accepted/effectivce procedure, more surgeons would be doing it.
If you are the Northeast, you should talk to Tom Minas. He is in Boston. There are about a dozen or so physicians who are dedicated to patients with articular cartilage conditions. I would check out these guys before Stone - Brian Cole (Chicago), William Bugbee (San Diego), Allan Gross (Toronto), Joseph Buckwalter (Iowa City), and Jack Farr (Indianapolis).
Updated Tue Dec 2 2008