2nd Distal Patellar Realignment

[addysmom]

Hello!  I have a few questions regarding a Distal Patellar Realignment.  

I had this surgery done following an injury on my right knee approximately 2 years ago.  Apparently I have a congenital defect that causes my kneecaps to dislocate easily...so just stepping off a curb has caused dislocation.

I wait tables and a week ago I dislocated my left knee.  (our floors are uneven...and I just happened to step on it wrong)  This is a WHOLE other issue because I am having to file workers comp...and my employer is being a real *** about the situation.  

Here is my question...I had surgery in October of 2008 for a severely herniated disc...and developed a Staph infection post op.  How long must I wait before I am in the clear for another surgery?  I see my ortho tommorow...and since he knows the situation it is pretty much a given that it is now time to go ahead and do the realignment on my Left knee.  

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[6FT2]

It is something to think about I guess.  The only problem for me is the possibility of the knee cap being pulled in a different position or even landing up right back where it started.  Apparently, "corrective" surgery doesn't work that well in people with MFS...  my sister is a good example.  She had surgery on her toes (Extremely painfull procedure where they placed pins in every toe to try and straighten them) but just a couple of months after the pins was removed, her toes just curled back to where they were before.

Let me know how the rehab goes!  

[addysmom]

Hello!

Thank you for your reply.  With my knee problems...my knee caps sit off to the side of the groove they are supposed to track in.  The problem is related mostly to smaller than average knee caps.  After playing sports for years...I have also worn out the ligaments that hold the patella in place.  Therefore making it EXTRAORDINARILY easy for me to dislocate my knee caps.  Many times all it takes is stepping off the curb.

I have tried knee braces and guards...but many times they just exacerbate the pain since they actually force my kneecap into the groove.  

Your question is in fact...not silly at all.  I worried about the recovery/pain involved with a patellar realignment too.  However, eventually decided that it was worth it to eliminate the pain involved with constantly dislocating my patella.

The surgery was not that bad.  I have extremely strong quads....so that helped.  In fact...the doctors were shocked at the strength I have in my quads considering my knee problems.  I had the surgery when my daughter was only 3 months old...and didn't need to use crutches.  The 2nd-4th day of the surgery were the worst pain wise...but as long as you stay on top of the pain meds...then generally its not intolerable.  I was back to full activity 6 weeks post op...but I also blew through therapy.  I have to say that now...my right knee is virtually pain free and I have not dislocated the kneecap ONCE since the surgery almost 2 years ago.  It was definitely worth it for me.  

I saw my ortho yesterday...and we are going to try rehabbing the knee for 3 weeks...then decide whether to go through the surgery.  Regardless...the rehab will help me recover more quickly from the surgery.

[6FT2]

Hi Addysmom

I just wanted to sympathise with your predicament and maybe also get some advice.  I too have difficulties with my kneecaps due to a genetic disorder.  Doctors refuse to touch my knees, for one because I am "too young" and two because they seem to be scared of complicating my situation even further.

Have you concidered wearing "knee gaurds"/"knee braces" to stop your knee's from dislocating?    Also, in some cases, strengthening the muscles around the knee cap and/or re-balancing the strength of the muscles around your knee, can help stabalize it.

I have what they call "bilateral patella-alta", meaning both my kneecaps sit too high up, so you can imagine how easy it is for me to dislocate them.  Due to the awkward position, I can also only wear knee gaurds for a limited time or risk "Patellar compression syndrome".  I also suffer from "Patellar Femoral Malallignment" and Chondromalatial Osteo-Arthritis.

This might be a silly question, seeing as I know all too well how painfull knee conditions are, but how painfull is Patellar Realignment surgery and how long did it take you to recover?