Bone breaks around the knee :

Post-op patella surgery question - - Posted by edmund (edmund), 23 January 2005

Well it is 22 days since my surgery.
(repair of fractured and crushed patella with some ligament and muscle damage)  The patella was repaired using screws and wire and the surgeon told me it was very unstable.  2 weeks post surgery everything was in place and doing well) (confirmed by xray)
Today I was washing the area and I felt my patella.
I noticed that it is NOT as stable (meaning it moves around very easily)
My non-damaged patella sits very firmly in place and can not be moved.
Is this something to worry about?
Should I call my ortho doc and tell hime about this or is this normal and I have nothing to worry about?
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 23 January 2005

Hi, Edmund. I just wanted to welcome you to KneeGeeks. I'm sure someone will be able to answer your question. The weekends are kind of slow around here so it may be tomorrow before you hear anything from fellow patella injury sufferers.

Again, Welcome!
Posted by edmund (edmund), 23 January 2005

Thabks Kathy
Posted by Cid (Cid), 24 January 2005

Don't hesitate to call your Dr. and ask.  Maybe it's just my weird knees but you can move mine around and the Dr. told me it was ok.  Of course I don't have the same problem as you.  I do know if I relax my leg my patella moves about pretty freely, but If I contract the quad it is firmer and pretty much stays in place.  If he told you it was unstable it may be a loose until you get the muscles strengthend around that patella.  Just take it easy and ask questions until you get the answers you need to feel comfortable.

Happy Healing
Cid
Posted by lizl (lizl), 26 January 2005

Welcome, Edmund!

Hmmmm. Your description sounds a little strange to me. My "repaired" patella moves LESS freely than the other one, and I'm a little over a year past my last surgery.

Is there pain with the movement? On second thought, that seems a pretty stupid question, as I certainly had pain 22 days past surgery.

I wonder if the surgeon was referring to mobility of the patella when he/she said "unstable." Maybe stability refers to something entirely different.

If you were in physical therapy, I'd say have the PT look at it--but I'm guessing you are not yet in PT. Go ahead and phone the OS.  Peace of mind is worth it!

LizL

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.