Overuse problems of the knee :
Tendonitis and TTT - - Posted by scubadeco (scubadeco), 15 August 2003
I'm 4 months out from my TTT. I have had a rough time at PT and 5 weeks ago at my follow up doctors visit we determined I had tendonitis. So we cut out more than half my exercises and modified some of the remaining ones. Things looked good for the following 2 weeks and I even increased my ROM. However, these last 3 weeks I have plateaued and even reversed with the tendonitis flaring up as bad as it was 5 weeks ago.
My PTist discharged me yesterday as there is nothing else they can do for me in my present condition. I have another follow up appointment this Tuesday.
Has anyone else had such a hard time trying to overcome the tendonitis? I'm aslo having problems withteh knee subluxing still, just not as bad as it was just pre-op. I'm pretty well frustrated at this point and wondering if I am going to be caught in the endless operations circle.
Rob
Posted by hmaxwell (Heather M.), 16 August 2003
Was the tendinitis verified with an MRI? I was also preliminarily diagnosed with this after my lateral release. Everyone thought I had quad tendinitis, and we backed off on exercises. Then the doctor thought I had a torn meniscus, but MRI was clear. Then it was an chondral lesion and more surgery was scheduled...only the problem was scar tissue.
Just wondered if you've had a verification of tendinitis. It's a nice vague diagnosis, but it usually responds pretty well to rest. If it continues there are other issues that mimic the symptoms. Scar tissue is a big one, especially if you are getting heat, swelling, and a lot of pain after PT work. Of course, other problems can do this as well. Which is why it's important to have a really good PT and OS to help unravel the diagnosis issue.
Sorry you were discharged, I also reached the point where PT was doing more harm than good. My PT sent me back to the surgeon, we did an exploratory scope after failed medical treatment with oral steroids and ultrasound. Then the real problem--scar tissue--was discovered in my knee.
Hopefully your doctor will have some ideas of what you can do next. The subluxing is probably part of a having weak or unbalanced quads, but I'd be concerned about persisten, lingering tendinitis. It is a debilitating condition, but when you've had surgery it's often a good idea to look at a range of possibilities.
You are only four months out, so could it be that you just need more time and a little slower pace? Also something to discuss with the doctor.....
I hope your OS is able to provide some answers for you.
Heather
Posted by scubadeco (scubadeco), 17 August 2003
Heather,
Thanks for the reply. I have not had a MRI for this. I think the doctor probably is hoping that it will go away with rest. My problem sounds very much like yours. Hope it isn't scar tissue! I didn't think it could be where it is located.
Sounds like it will be an interesting doctors visit this Tuesday.
Thank you for your help
Rob
Posted by Kimby (Kimby), 16 November 2003
I had my TTT done in Aug 03. Prior to that, back in the early 80's, I had what was called a patella tendon transversal. Essentially, from what I understood, the surgery was supposed to correct the sloppy knee thing I was experiencing then (frequent dislocations and whatnot). In any case, it altered my gait - as an adult, I developed bursitis/tendonitis in my hips! I'm thinking that perhaps you overdid it in therapy - and the other person writing is correct - tendonitis does respond to rest - and some gentle stretching. It wouldn't hurt to massage the area either - I've used vitamin E to massage the area (break open the capsule). If you don't get better within a week or two resting/massaging/light stretches, then I think you probably have something else going on. I don't know if tendonitis will show on an MRI or x-ray - some docs swear by the cortisone-shot test - if the cortisone shots take care of the problem, it was tendonitis. If not, it's something else. Keep an eye on it - and let us know what you find out.
Kim
Posted by Heather_K. (Heather_K.), 30 January 2004
Hi Rob,
I had my TTT in june of 2001, within 2-3 months I had tendinitis. First my adjusted my exercises, then we tried the strap and finally my Os gave me a cortisone shot which actually solved my problems, until now. I still have a screw from the surgery which is driving me nuts with the pain but they would have to break my leg to get it out and no OS will do that. As far as the subluxing goes, I can almost gurantee that it is a weak muscle thing, I had the same problem until 7 months postop. At 9 months postop I actually tore my medial patella femoral ligament but my OS wouldnt believe that my knee wasnt tracking right, so I left him. If you are still having tracking issues closer to the year mark and you believe strength isn't an issue, get another opinion just to see whats going on.
Good Luck.
Heather K
Updated Thu Aug 21 2008