No Patella, New knee and a doner tendon, please help

[Kim F]

Hi,
Anyone can give me some advice?
In a nut shell.
Smashed my knee in 1987. Had a Patelectomy. awful time!
Now at 47, im told I have no cartilage left, arthritus, and need a total Knee replacement. But there are problems 'cos I don't have a knee cap and my tendon is only hanging on by a thread. The muscles are a mess,
I also need a tendon replacement ( He says an achilles tendon from a cadaver).
He wants to do them at the same time.
Im wondering if anyone has had this done, or can give me some advise.:pzld:

 

[Texas]

Hi And Welcome, Oh wow I havent seen any of that unlesss Jo or Jamie would remember from awhile back. Have you done any research on that. I would, If it all pans out then yes I would. Ask him how many of these type of sugeries he has done like this, but if it works then atleast you get your knee fixed. Ask alot of questions to this Dr and make sure you are confident in him, good luck to you plese keep us posted and let us know what you have decided.Good Luck...

 

[Kim F]

Thanks for replying sweetheart.
No, I have done very little research, only found out yesterday. But My Dr. is no. 1 in Canada, (s. African guy, took me ages to get into see him) he did a couple of arthroscopic surgeries(scuse spelling!) on me to remove the last of the cartilage. I've seen his work...bloody awesome. I don't know if he's done the two things together (tendon and knee!) But he recently did one ladies knee with a cadaver tendon, and she is doing awesome. I'm worried about the recovery of this. I remember the first time I smashed it up, it took a year and 4 surgeries to fix it!
But after 22 years of **** for a knee (I used to be a dancer!!!) I think i'd have the leg lopped off..... I hate to moan at home.... No one want's to hear it... My poor beautiful hubby puts up with me 24/7 and never complains. what an angel..

 

[Kim F]

Thanks for replying sweetheart.
No, I have done very little research, only found out yesterday. But My Dr. is no. 1 in Canada, (s. African guy, took me ages to get into see him) he did a couple of arthroscopic surgeries(scuse spelling!) on me to remove the last of the cartilage. I've seen his work...bloody awesome. I don't know if he's done the two things together (tendon and knee!) But he recently did one ladies knee with a cadaver tendon, and she is doing awesome. I'm worried about the recovery of this. I remember the first time I smashed it up, it took a year and 4 surgeries to fix it!
But after 22 years of **** for a knee (I used to be a dancer!!!) I think i'd have the leg lopped off..... I hate to moan at home.... No one want's to hear it... My poor beautiful hubby puts up with me 24/7 and never complains. what an angel..

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Kim. Welcome to BoneSmart. I'm happy you joined us. You've come to the right place for TONS of supportive people who have been through at least some of what you're facing.

You definitely have a unique situation. I don't know that I recall anyone on the forum having exactly what you describe. Our forum nurse, Josephine, has decades of experiences in orthopedics though, and I'm sure she can offer some advice and information to you when she checks in online.

I had a discussion recently with my surgeon a few weeks ago regarding kneecaps and TKRs. So I know it is completely possible to have a knee replaced without the kneecap being there. And it would seem to me to be a good thing to have all this done at one time so that things fit together just right. It doesn't seem that the recovery would be all that different adding in the tendon replacement. Quite frankly, TKR recovery can be a bit of a challenge for at least the first few weeks or months. But.....it definitely does get better and that's the good thing - unlike your poor knee now that only gets worse!

So hang with us and we'll help you get through this. It sounds like you have conquered the first giant steps - knowing you need the replacement and finding an excellent surgeon.

 

[Josephine]

Please don't fret about this, Kim. It sounds a whole lot worse than it is. For him it will be a routine piece of surgery and I'm sure it will go well. Technically, I don't see it being a great problem from the surgery point of view. If you want reassurance on the combination of the two procedures, why don't you ask him if he's done this particular combination before?

For you, it will be a problem in that you will have extra pain trying to walk and flex. But it is doable and the PTs will know how to help you through. I would imagine your recovery will be a little longer than a straight TKR but it will be so much better and well worth it in the end.

Just think, you'll have a whole new knee and at the very least be able to walk and climb stairs and such.

 

[kangaroo]

wow....you have had a few trials...I don't know how youve managed all these years....if it was me I'd do it all in one go.....just so that you can get on with life and dance with your wonderful husband....and why go through repeated recovery if you can knock it off in one lot???
I'm a hip and know nothing of knees.....but if you have the cream of the canadian surgeons I'd listen to him....
Rachel

 

[Judles]

Welcome and Good luck, Kim!!!

 

[cindy88fan]

Best of luck Kim. Listen to whatever these wonderful people say because they know what they are talking about. They have helped me out so much. Remember to check this site every day because there's a chance somebody with your same situation could post. Keep your chin up!:gphg:.