Re: Knee Replacement at 25?

[Doyley]

Hi all,

Do old threads get locked automatically?

Anyway, I went to Wrightington today. Usual thing happened, the registrar examined me, was completely stumped and went for the consultant. That always happens but I don't mind as long as they get the consultant, they get to learn from it, it is a rare condition I have.

So the consultant examined me and said that he isn't 100% how to proceed with me being young.

We spoke about my last doc not being able to see my patella during my arthroscopy because of all the scar tissue. He wants me to have a MRI scan and then possibly another arthroscopy. He said then if there was no cartilage left and if it is seriously affecting me then we would have to go for a knee replacement. I think I already know the answer to that, I can barely walk on it now, but I think that is the best way to progress.

He said that it wouldn't be a normal TKR for me because the ligaments around my knee are slightly loose. He said that he would probably have to cut more bone away than normal. Does anybody know anymore about this?

Also, I can't seem to find much about scar tissue. Just the odd reference here and there. Does anybody have any more details on this?

Thanks guys, gunna go and put my feet up now, it's murdering my after all the poking around.

 

[Doyley]

Oh, Josephine, a special thank you for recommending the place. The place looks like it hasn't seen a lick of paint since the 80's but as the saying goes, you don't judge a book my it's cover. The staff were all fantastic and I was very impressed with the consultant.

 

[ship4]

Hi, Welcome to the forum. I found this in my research that may be of help. I go tomorrow for BTKR.

1. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Loss of knee motion: It is difficult to regain bending motion that has been lost for many years and if the knee only bends 90 degrees before the operation, it is unlikely to bend much more after the operation. For unexplained reasons, some patients form excessive scar tissue in the knee after surgery, resulting in diminished bending of the knee (a condition called arthrofibrosis). It is impossible to predict ahead of time which patients might develop arthrofibrosis. Sometimes it helps to manipulate the knee under an anesthetic to break down the excessive scar tissue. [/FONT]

Best,
Crystal

 

[Doyley]

Thanks Crystal. Hmm, I have it before a TKR because of previous surgery.
I really hope it stays away if I do have a TKR. I've never been able to bend either of my leg fully, well I did once when I fell and broke it.

 

[JenniferG]

Hey Crystal, best of it for tomorrow! That got here quick, huh? Look forward to hearing from you asap. Maybe there is a computer with internet at the rehab you plan on going to. Try to sleep well tonight. You know we are all pulling for you. Jen

 

[ship4]

Thanks Jennifer. The hospital called and moved my surgery up! I have to be at the hospital in Admitting @ 5:45 AM and surgery is scheduled for 7:30 AM.
I will try to get online when I can......
Thanks for all the good thoughts and luck. I am NPO by 7:00 PM tonight!
Making fresh picked from the garden grilled asparagus in olive oil and lemon pepper, along with baked sweet potato, and marinated and grilled pork loin. YUM!
Best,
Crystal

 

[1jt@atime]

We'll all be thinking of you tomorrow Crystal. Best of luck. See you on the other side. Karen

 

[Josephine]

Doyley, sorry about your other thread - I closed a pile of threads because some of the new members were bumping old threads and replying to posts that were about 10-12 months old! Yours must have got caught up in it.

Never mind - you got the the Wrightington which I'd delighted about. As for the scar tissue - what's your actual enquiry about it? As regards post op manipulation or something?



Crystal - all the best, sweetheart. I'll be thinking/praying for you.

 

[Doyley]

Ah ok, no worries.

I just don't know a lot about scar tissue, I know it's the reason why I can't bend my leg now. I suppose the query is, what are the chances of this coming back after a TKR and if it did, would manipulation sort it?

 

[Josephine]

I see - well most arthritic joints (esp knees) have some scar tissue present as it is a normal development of the degenerative changes taking place. But where it was referred to in the arthroscopy report is not a major amount, simply some changes and loss of elasticity in the tissues which prevented the surgeon from getting the scope into the pre-patellar pouch. Not at all uncommon, believe me.

But there is no real need to worry about this as it's unlikely to have any significant effect post-operatively.

 

[JenniferG]

Isn't Josephine impressive when she talks all nursey and professional medical like that?!

 

[Josephine]

 

[JenniferG]

No, not oops! That's your job. Good job!

 

[Doyley]

:D thanks.

I don't know if this is still covered in your field but I've never been able to kend my knee past 100 since I can remember, before I could walk anyway. I am guessing that this would affect my recovery with ligaments and muscles being used in a way that they have never been used before?