TKR 4th week major backslide?<

[plaidwndr]

Just finished with new doc. He agreed the area of lateral femoral epicondyle was protruding. He felt that it was the hamstring tendon was swollen, which coincides with the place on fibular head that the pain increases the most with activity.

Unfortunately he had no idea what to do about it. He stuck it with some cortisone to see if it would calm down any. Since it's been like this near a year, didn't think it would be a fix though.

 

[plaidwndr]

wanted to add - the actual hamstring muscle is not tight, in fact it's more flexible than in my non-operated on leg

 

[plaidwndr]

Saw another doc who sent me for a musculoskeletal ultrasound
I haven't has the results appointment yet, but the ultrasound tech said it's obvious there is a tear in the tendon
I go back Monday for the full report

 

[kneeper]

 

[plaidwndr]

Ok here's what going on from the imaging report:

distal biceps femoris tendon appeared with moderate inflammation and mild intrasubstance tearing. A small amount of fibrosis was seen within the tendon.

The popliteus tendon appeared with mild inflammation and a moderate amount of surrounding inflammation.

The lateral collateral ligament appeared with mild inflammation.

Treatment plan from Dr based on this report: ZILCH, still no one has any idea what to do for it

 

[sistersinhim]

I am going to tag @Josephine, our forum director and nurse, to see if she has any suggestions.

 

[Josephine]

I totally agree with your doctor. If you were expecting a regimen of PT to 'cure' these issues, then be pleased they chose not to.

Here are your problem sites (if you didn't already know!)

I'd suggest the following
1. use a foam roller or Acupressure massage.
2. you won't be able to use a roller but might with Acupressure massage
3. you won't be able to use a roller but might with Acupressure massage

Or this might be the kind of thing a good chiropractor can treat and very effectively.

 

[plaidwndr]

PT out of it? No, I just didn't know what was still wrong, and now I wonder if I need to be more immobile for it to heal.

 

[kneeper]

If the tendon(s) is inflamed, I'd say taking it a bit easy makes sense.

 

[plaidwndr]

I got a call back, on further review it looks like the popliteal tendon is rubbing over an osteophyte near it's attachment at the fibular head.

They would like to cortisone that area again in a couple months and see how it does. If it doesn't resolve itself in 6-9 months from now(so 18-21 months from tkr) then they'd consider trying to shave the bony point down

 

[kneeper]

Well at least you know what it is and have a plan.

 

[klinkmcbear]

I got a call back, on further review it looks like the popliteal tendon is rubbing over an osteophyte near it's attachment at the fibular head.

They would like to cortisone that area again in a couple months and see how it does. If it doesn't resolve itself in 6-9 months from now(so 18-21 months from tkr) then they'd consider trying to shave the bony point down

@plaidwndr - how did things work out with your popliteus issues? Did you have surgery either to shave down the osteophyte, or release the pop tendon? I've recently had a couple of steroid injections to that area and it does seem to be helping - would like to avoid a 5th knee surgery. How are things going for you? Any information on what you've done for relief would be great. Thanks!