Patellafemoral Arthroplasty (new knee cap and trochlea!)

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Many of you will know I've posted on this site for a while now, but I'm just wondering if there is anyone out there who has actually had a patellafemoral arthroplasty operation (as opposed to partial or full knee replacement). I'm 18 weeks po from this op, knee is recovering ok, but muscle wastage is a pain in the **** (this is a four letter word, and it's not knee lol!).

It's beginning to get me down (as per my rant last night on forum entitled "low point" posted by someone else) so am just interested to see how anyone who has had exactly the same operation is progressing.

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4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Pam, can I ask why you have had this as I have problems with my knee/ patella. Many thanks

    mel 😊

    • Posted

      Lisa, back in 2004 I had an arthroscopy on my knee because my Doctor thought I had cartilage floating about (knee kept "giving way" and pain stopped me dead in my tracks!).  However, it was found that I had arthritis and, as doctor told me at the time, "if you were 10 years older I would give you a new knee tomorrow" - I was 45 at the time. I was told I'd be off work for about 3 weeks following the arthroscopy, I was actually off 12, I also have fibromyalgia and I now know that surgery can excerbate this condition.

      Fast forward 11 years - I'd tried every pill, potion, exercise going - nothing helped, and in all that time I wore a knee support.  My knee was very unstable and as I work full time I needed some assistance to enable me to get about!  Finally I was offered knee surgery and had this on the 24th March this year.  I'd had x-rays, MRI scan but the Surgeon told me that until he opened up my knee he wouldn't know what procedure he was going to do.

      So, that's how I arrived with having the op I had.  The knee is definitely stronger but my problem has/is the muscle wastage. I'm now told that because I wore a knee support for such a long time then the muscles have forgotten what to do.  I'm annoyed about this because for all those years I did ask all the doctors I saw whether I was doing myself any harm wearing a support - and was told "no"!.

      I had my weekly physio session last Friday and whether I overdid or not I don't know, but my knee (in fact both legs!) have seemed very unstable since then - although this may also be due to my fibromyalgia.  Boy, what a journey this is!

       

  • Posted

    You poor darling! I know exactly where you are coming from. When I was 16 I too had an arthroscopy as my knee was swollen and had fluid on it. Also had very painful knee, was on crutches for 6 months and plaster for 4 weeks to rest it. This was all before I had my arthroscopy. They didnt know what else to do so they did the arthroscopy. They found inflammation on the lining on my knee cap.  Of course my muscles had dwindled to almost non existent and no physio was offered. I was just told that I would prob develop arthiritis when older.

    I have had problems with my knee since then much the same as you and recently has got extremely bad, giving way, swollen, locking and very painful. I have numerous physio sessions as an adult because they realised I had to strengthen my muscles...der u dont say!!? stupid people....I could have told them that years ago...lol.

    Anyway, got an emergency app through a special gp scheme to see another what I thought was an ortho specialist but turns out to be a glorified physio.... He said 'cant really examine it properly because you are so much pain' lol quite funny really hey?.. So he said 'we'll send you for an MRI but dont think it will show any thing'. I have now had my MRI and it shows the patella groove isnt deep enough and I have significant cartilage disease to my patella with bone oedema...hence the pain. I had to phone for my results because the physio hadnt contacted me to give me....embarrassed me thinks!? lol. Anyways an app was made with him again on wed this week to see what he says. 

    It seems I think, that perhaps I have always had this groove problem which has never been picked up on, and of course it has now caused more damage than it would have done had it been fixed years ago.

    I think I may have to have the procedure you have had and as I am just 45 dont think they will replace it all.

    I can almost feel my knee swell as I sit here and am really struggling to get around.... think it may be crutches again... lets see what he says..prob more waiting to be referred to a surgeon.

    Many thanks Pam

    regards

    Mel cheesygrin

    • Posted

      I was told that the groove on the back of my knee cap was not running true into the trochlea, and the "giving way" sensation was when the groove slipped out of the trochlea and then slipped back in again. Crickey, its an awful sensation. I can say I think this has stopped but I was out at weekend with hubby when both legs seemed to "give way", and I would have tumbled if I hadn't have been holding my hubby's hand. I must admit I was shaken and ended up crying in the street in full view of everyone.......aaargh!. Think (hope!) this was either because I was so tense and muscles just "went" or its to do with my fibromyalgia (which I've had since 1999).

      If my recovery takes a while longer then I'll just have to be patient, but as I've said many times......this patient isn't known for her patience!!

      Good luck at your appointment.

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