The patello-femoral joint :
Successful surgery - - Posted by ELLEN (ELLEN), 1 October 2002
[color=Red][/color]

Saw my OS yesterday. He took xrays. I cannot believe how good my patella looks. In 22 years, I have to say it has never looked better. Profile view is excellent. It looks NORMAL. He told me surgery was definetly a success. With no medical training I knew instantly when he put up xray I could see that patella was raised quite a bit and sitting just where it should be.
He explained all he did- so here goes:
1: He raised patella about one inch.
2: ACL was so close to bone (he was surprised I had
never torn ACL) so he dug out bone and made
a nice big hole for ACL to sit in.
3: LR area had massive scar tissue causing too
much pulling in opposite direction. He undid LR,
removed scar tissue and cut bone where
tendion attaches to release tendion.
4. Interior of patella had "quite a few deep
craters, suprinsingly thin bone in areas". He
resurfaced patella. This was probably causing
all the popping noise I was hearing.
My surgery was alot more than what he anticipated. He also explained to me if he had just done the fulkerson I would not be experiencing the pain that I am feeling now. The marcaine pump and nerve blocks really masked alot of my pain. Pump has been removed and blocks have worn out. Monday I was really hurting took 3 loritabs in 4 hour period with no relief. When I saw him yesterday he took me off loritab and put me on oxycontin (pain med for cancer pts.) What a difference I feel today. I woke up once last night (not from pain had to go to bathroom).
I will not start PT for another 2 weeks. My only exercise is to move my ankle around and wiggle my toes. I can't go back to work for 3 weeks, which he feels is a bit too early, but he will allow it.
I am very thankful that I found an OS that took his time and was not afraid to be aggressive and had the confidence and training to do the job. His name is Dr. Keith Schroeder, founder of Barrington Orthopedics, Hoffman Estates, Illinois. My hat goes off to him.
Posted by Kathy (Kathy), 1 October 2002
Congrats on the successful surgery! Glad to hear it went so well! Hope your recovery is easy, also!
Kathy
Posted by Clancy (Clancy), 1 October 2002
I'm so glad that your surgery went well. I hope that your recovery goes as equally well & quickly! I'm absolutely terrified of anymore knee surgery. I did order a cotton sleeve for my unloader. I also got a nice reply from Breg & they are sending me another set of pads so I can switch out. Take care, catch up on your rest, & keep a positive outlook! Clancy
Updated Thu Apr 29 2010

