It’s been awhile that I have posted (I’ll be 10 months post op on 8/29) and wasn’t sure if anyone has the same issue like I have.
@Jockette I wanted to reach out to you if you still have pain in your kneecap and if you did, can you walk with the pain. You had a partial patellar replacement and I had the same surgery like yours. Is your gait messed up as mine are. I find it really hard to extend and flex and my ankle feels the strain too and my operated leg keeps pulling my leg inward and my leg is really wobbly although I could do lunges (5 reps), squats (20 reps) and single knee bend (10 reps) not every day but as and when I feel like it. My ROM is good and I could go down stairs foot over foot with some ease although some pain but tolerable. I have no issue going up.
For exercises I work out sometimes 3-4 times a week. 30-40 mins on elliptical, I alternate with the recumbent 35 mins when I’m not working on the elliptical, treadmill 30 mins pace 1-1 1/2 mile pace, really slow, after working on either the elliptical or recumbent, strength training about 20 mins and I do water fitness about 1 hour and tread water an hour once a week. Am I doing a lot even I’m 10 months out?
I’m still in a lot of pain when I walk and when I stand too long like about 2 hours (I help with breakfast every other Saturday for our apartment complex) my knee will act up. I don’t have any pain sitting or resting.
I have been to 4 different OS and they have different opinions about their diagnosis and I’m totally confused as they have conflicting diagnosis. They did X-rays 4 views and all showed no maltracking and the implant is well positioned. Although one of the OS Dr 3 thinks there’s tracking problem, he does not do knee replacement so not sure I can trust his diagnosis. Dr 4 thought it’s a nerve issue as my EMG test shows there’s an isolated finding of a partial femoral motor dysfunction. Dr 2 thinks it’s just tightness of the quads and he reminded me I had a robotic-assisted patellofemoral joint replacement. He suggested deep tissue active release of the quads. I did go to a physical therapist and he worked on the quads but not much relief in terms of pain. I also went to a chiropractor but not much help.
I went to a acupuncturist last Wednesday and got her to work on my gluteus medias as I felt a lot of stiffness around the glutes and on the upper side of the hip. She sticked a couple needles in my right middle finger and several on my right arm somewhat different from the previous acupuncturist that I had done pre surgery. I had some relief and will continue with the treatments with her. I’m also scheduled to see a physiatrist on Thursday and I’m hoping he is able to get to the source of my pain. No doubt X-rays can detect abnormalities, then why am I still in pain, that’s a question I’m going to ask him.
Dr 5 a revision specialist that I saw last Wednesday went through some of the doctors notes and told me I don’t need a revision at this time as the X-ray shows no loosening and there’s nothing there that shows any gross abnormality. He got from his office a heel lift for me to try as he says I have a leg length discrepancy. He also mentioned that the success rate for partials are low. I’ll see him again on 8/21 and he may give me a shot to numb the knee area to see if it’s excessive scar tissue.
I’m also scheduled to see the same neurologist that did my 1st EMG test in May and wanted to do a second test to rule out it’s not some motor nerve disorder.
There’s just so much to process and I’m really depressed. I just wanted some assurance that recovery does take a long time but given the issues I have I really don’t know what I should be expecting.
It’s a lengthy note and thank you very much for taking your time to read.