KNEE ARTHRITIS - Cartilage plug transfer :

OATS and Lateral Release - - Posted by Roos33 (Roos33), 7 November 2004

I'm scheduled to have OATS and Lateral Release performed on my right knee within the next month.  In Feburary 04 I had arthroscopy surgery on the same knee which included a partial medial meniscectomy and chondroplasty of medial femoral condyle and patella on the same knee.  The injury to the medial femoral condyle was the size of a "nickel. "  After 4-6 of the surgery, I felt the same pain (or similar) that I had prior to the surgery and I hadn't completed my PT yet.  During the PT sessions, it became obvious that I would need to see the surgeon again because of the tracking problem, grinding sounds, and pain that prevented me from completing most of my exercises.  
I visited the surgeon on Friday (5 Nov) and he suggested I have the OATS Transfer and a Lateral Release to relieve the constant pain.  He also stated that my days of pain-free sports participation is over, but the daily constant aching pain would be taken care of with the surgery.    

I've played sports all my life and playing with pain is edged in my brain and if there is anything that would relieve the pain all the better.  If some one has insight into this procedure and how I can / should approach it with my doctor and recovery issue(s) I may face, I would be very grateful for it.  Thanks!

Patrick Smith (USAF)
Key West, FL
Posted by kathleenj (kathleenj), 9 November 2004

Patrick,

Sorry to hear about your knee troubles.  I have had 2 Oats procedures.  Never had a lateral release.  
My defect was much smaller than your is...about 1 cm squared...so I had only one plug.  I would assume from the size of your defect that you will be having several plugs taken.  Are you having an autograft or allograft?
The hardest part of the surgeries was the weight bearing restrictions.  It seemed to last forever and cause serious quad atrophy.  I would definately recommend get your muscles as strong as possible before surgery and doing your best to keep them strong afterwards.  As far as the pain went, it really wasnt too bad.  Immediately after my second surgery was hell...open procedure...but as soon as the pains meds took effect things were pretty bearable.  I'm not sure but I have heard that lateral releases are a bit painful but like I said I havent had one so cant say for sure.  
Anyway, I just wanted to respond to your post and if you have any specific questions just ask.
Good luck.
Kathy

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.