KNEE ARTHRITIS - Changing the forces through the joint :
Avoiding the osteotomy - glimmer of hope - - Posted by gimp (gimp), 25 August 2003
For nearly a year I have lived with day to day pain that various high-profile OS's in Pittsburgh have attributed to OA. One determined that my knee is 4 degrees varus and recommended an osteotomy. I still have about 75% of my meniscus and it's in great shape surprisingly so a transplant would be useless. The surgery scares the bejeezus out of me and I don't want to do #4 unless I really need to. Based on the fact that I have not been able to do much at all for a year I was resigned to the fact that I had another year of rehab and then would be unable to play sports.
By chance I ran into my chiropractor who I have worked with many times for back, neck, ankle, muscle, etc. problems and have always had success. He suggested that my varus and resulting OA may be due to imbalanced muscles. Went to see him two weeks ago and walked out with a straight leg. Turns out my quad and calf were not functioning properly. Rehabbed the hell out of them for four years and never could get them back. My range of motion is also better and I have been able to leave my unloader brace on the shelf for the past five days without pain.
It's still early and I have a long way to go to get strong again, but I have some optimism at this point that surgery can be avoided. Worst case is I blew $40 to feel good for a few weeks. Has anyone else had similar experiences? There were a lot of skeptical postings about chiropractors and the general public has mixed perceptions. All I can say is so far so good. Wish me luck.
Gimp
Posted by lam651 (lam651), 26 August 2003
That is an amazing story. I sure wish I would have known that might be an option. I hope you continue to feel this good. Keep us informed. Larry
Posted by gimp (gimp), 30 September 2003
It's been a month and a half since my first visit to the chiropractor. My pain level is still significantly less than it had been previously which is great. It took a couple visits and for the chiro to show me how to "re-activate" my quad myself before I was consistently pain free.
I had a follow up visit with my OA, Chris Harner of UPMC in Pittsburgh, a few weeks ago. We talked for a long time and have decided that my best long-term option is to go with the HTO on October 6th. While I still feel much better and my quad is FINALLY regaining strength after 4 years of atrophy, I am still out of alignment and at risk for more serious OA than I already have. I still do have quite a bit of pain depending on what I am doing at the time. My OA is very isolated to my medial compartment. Knee function and stability is very good outside of that problem so all the "textbooks" say I am a good candidate.
I am obviously concerned about the risks involved, but optimistic that by next spring I may actually return to a somewhat normal lifestyle. Wish me luck. I will post updates on my progress.
Posted by lam651 (lam651), 30 September 2003
I would just like to add, I had a HTO done by an obviously inexperienced surgeon. It was corrected 1 1/2 yrs. later by surgeon who does 150-200 HTOs a year. I think it is worth asking your OS how many HTOs he's done. Good luck, Larry
Posted by gimp (gimp), 30 September 2003
Larry,
Thank you for the advice. I have read other postings recommending my OA for osteotomies and feel like he is the best person to perform the surgery given his knowledge of my surgical history, recommendations from other prominent surgeons in the area, and of course my own research.
If nothing else, we all learn at some point that it is up to ourselves to manage our healthcare.
I am having the closing wedge procedure done. So the incision will be about 3.5 inches on the lateral side, to release my medial compartment. The adjustment will be 6%. It seems like the majority of postings have been
following opening wedge procedures. Does anyone have experience with closing or any insight into the differences in recovery, etc.?
Thanks.
Posted by gimp (gimp), 10 October 2003
For anyone who is interested, I just finished my first posting in the Diary section after my HTO yesterday morning. I hope you are all doing well.
John
Posted by lee_c (lee_c), 12 October 2003
guys - I am looking around for some feedback on tibial osteotomy. I had my left leg done just over 5 weeks ago (10 DEGREES)
I am now walking (started end of week 4)and using a bike and cross trainer.. cant manage the stairs properly yet but trying through gritted teeth.
Leg looks alignment looks very weird - i hoping when i rebuild muscle it will look ok.
go in for acl reconstruction after christmas.
any feedback on ops/recovery - i am really interested..
Posted by gimp (gimp), 13 October 2003
Lee,
I am only 5 days post op on my HTO so I am not sure if I can tell you anything you don't already know. I was told that I likely would not be walking until week 6-8 after my HTO so you seem to be progressing pretty quickly.
If you are just getting the ACL reconstruction it shouldn't be too bad. Mine was much slower because I also had meniscus repair and was non-weight bearing for 6 weeks. As with anything, the first couple days are painful but after that it wasn't too bad. Getting ROM back is more difficult with the ACL.
Good luck with everything.
John
Posted by lee_c (lee_c), 19 October 2003
Hi
Thanks for the feedback. Things seem to be going pretty well still. After a bit of a warm up people say I am walking almost normally. And i now have enough strength in it to get up a flight of stairs.
I have an almost continuous dull ache in it - which during th enight can only be relieved if I lie on by back and the leg fully straight - i hope that goes soon.
I hope you are recovering well - and people around you are supportive/
Updated Sat Nov 21 2009
