My fiance suffered a fall in 2000 which resulted in four subsequent surgeries, ending with the last in 2003. The outcome was total patellectomy - complete removal of the left knee cap- and reconstruction of the patella tendon, which had been accidentally severed during the first surgery. The last surgery in 2003 left him facing 12 weeks of physical therapy and little optimisim for lessening of pain or much range of movement of the left leg. Against doctors orders, he took a job where he had to walk 9-10 hours a day on concrete, in 28 degree temperatures, lifting 80 -100 lb. boxes! This resulted in the building up of muscle in the left quad but also re-tore the patella tendon and now it is split into 3 separate sections, causing him severe pain, but not limiting his physical motions. I do not understand why there can be full knee replacements, but we cannot find an ortho or anyone who can do a patella replacement. My fiance is in constant pain, unrelenting and yet refuses to give in to the pain; he doesn't let the lack of a knee cap restrict his physical activity unless it drops him to the floor, as it does sometimes.

Hi: I injured my knee during a half marathon in oct 04. The month before if fell carrying my daughter but was not really aggravated until the 10th mile of the run. The pain subsided after i was diagnosed with chondramalacia and went to pt for 2 motnhs. I went on a trip to disney and did alot of walking. the pain returned so I went to another orthopedist. He literally attacked me with a cortisone shot and told me i had tendonitis. I was in excruciating pain for about a week then the pain subsided and it felt pretty good for a bout two weeks. Since getting the cortisone shot, however, the pain has returned 3 fold and it's CONSTANT it used to be very intermittent and i could do walking and the weight bearing and the bike no problem now i'm in a worse position then before. so, i went to antoher orthopedist who told me i must have tendonitis and that you never ever shoot up the patella tendon because it could rupture. now i can barely walk w/out some pain it's crazy!!!! i guess my question is has anybody gotten a cortisone shot in their tendon only to have it be worse off? thanks. Marni. Please em me marnijoyweisberg@yahoo.com

I am 46 years old , was born club footed (right) over the years have developed arthritis in most joints. Had right foot fused last year. Now left knee and ankle need work done. Scheduled in May. Very depressed looking for some kind of support grop.

Hi I'm not sure where to post this because I don't know whats wrong with me. My problem is that my right knee falls from under me when I try to walk (I have to use crutches so I won't fall).It has been like this since christmas and I've been to doctors and they give me all kind of answers like my ligaments are ok, I have oedema in my bones, the cup where the pressure goes on is going (don't know the english word). Nothing can fix this surgically but knee replacement, but I'm too young and I'm little overveight. But for the last year I have lost 10 kilos. I'm in physical therapy, acupuncture, bathe in all kinds of oils to sooth the pain, exercise in water and all things I can think of but nothing works... Oh... and I have had meniscus surgery but that was a small part removed there... I just don't know what to do... I would appreciate any advise...

I have had many injuries to my knees. As tripping and falling seem to now be normal. I get fluid to the lfeft and right of the knee cap. None on the cap itself. The knee cap is no painful. The whole area feel like they are bruised. I have bad veins and have had since age 18 and am now 51. No one can find "anything" wrong. I barly can walk by Friday evening. They always improve over the weekend. I have to hold on to the coffee table and force myself to a standing position. Knee braces have not helped much either. When I had my hysterectomy done several years ago. They did a bone dynsity test and I had the bonmes of a 25 year old. I drink lots of milk. So anyone have any suggestions. Right knee is worse then left. Left has more of a click than right does. Right is stiff, swollen and clicks only if I push in on the fluid sack. Thanks Laurie

Hi. I have had my 4th surgery and am awaiting the 5th in March (I also have a posting from november right before surgery 3 of the right knee). I have been a soccer player for fifteen years and not once did I have a problem until I started playing soccer in high school. It was my freshman year 2001 when I torn my PCL and LCL also I had an unusual growth of cartilage that was growing between my knee cap and joint so every time I would walk it would cause it to move and pinch causing a lot of pain and I could hardly walk. It took me about a year and a half to get that fixed in January 2003. I of course went back to playing soccer and re injured my right knee along with my left one. ( I was trying to keep my scholarship) I had surgery done on my left knee in October 2003. So far no significant problems with the left one. I had surgery 2 on my right knee in april 2004. I thought I would be good, about a month after that surgery my knee gave out and I twisted my ankle real badly. I had a walking cast on till july. that when I noticed the pain in my right knee was getting worse and worse. I waited until October to go back and see my surgeon. He after knowing me for almost 4 years sent me to get a second opinion because he did not want to rush back to surgery. I saw him the whole month of november and finally after trying everything besides steroids(because I know there affects and would not recommended it to anyone) he sent me back to my surgeon for surgery. I had surgery number 3 on the right knee this past December 2004. I am working and going to school for my Degree as a Veterinary technician.I went back to work less than a week after surgery (bad idea) i was of course on light duties. I was about 3 weeks later when I went back to my usual routines. Well it was most likely from a dog jumping on me or just the stress of just going back to work and walking on it. see the thing is I was even wearing the brace to help protect my knee. And i still re injured it. And like I mentioned before I had an MRI and it found and more severe deterioration of my knee cap and joint. also the tears of my meniscus. so I have been scheduled for surgery 4 on the right in march so I'll see how it goes. I want the time to just fly by ad it pretty much has already but I just want to get this over with. Anyways, I agree with you any movement in your knee that is not normal is not just to be passed off. I too believe that their is no reason you have to wait almost a year to be released from a doctor , he is hiding something and obviously does not want anyone else to find out about it. That really sucks that you have to get a lawyer involved. It seems like more that he is trying to avoid being sued for malpractice that is why he wont release you. I have wondered at times that my surgeon was not telling me every possible way to avoid re-injuring my knee. well now i know and will make sure that i ask him everything. With this surgery I am expected to be immobilized for about 3-4 weeks. I had my doctors office fax me over an report on my MRI the other day at my work so I could see what on the paper and read it my self. I knew it was bad when he called me and told me the results and then sat up the surgery. I didn't expect so much writing and to find out that there are four different things going on in my knee that will need to be fixed in this next surgery. I am anticipating this one to be the biggest one!

I fell down on ice with my daughter 12/7/03. I went to the ER and was told I had swelling. Slowly, the more I used my legs to walk to work from train, drive, or carry my daughter... I was unable to function without severe pain. MRI showed Chrondomalacia in Patella and Femoral Areas. I underwent Arthoscope of right leg showed all weightbearing joint to be lacking cartilage. Doctor says we will need a cartilage graft? Just underwent the left arthoscope. This knee shows meniscal tear, ACL tear, cap maltracking, fluid, cartilage damage behind knee cap. I feel I must have been placing all weight on right leg due to left leg injury, causing the weight bearing joint to have no cartilage. In interim, I am STILL IN PAIN. I can hardly walk on right leg. Has anyone had cartilage grafting. What other options, I tried "vitamins" they did not help. I am 29 mother of a 2 year old that needs to get back to work, but legs hurt tooo much. Is Meniscus done for? What about lack of cartilage in right leg??? Jennifer Please email me at home if you have gone through this. I have now had to go to doctor for depression of non-movement. Lifeovreilly@comcast.net

I have had many knee cap dislocations over the last three years. I finally had a lateral knee surgery in march, did the physical therapy. Was better for about two months now I have relapsed. I am now facing a huge surgery this month. Thier going to be breaking bones, putting eight bolts in, moving everything in my leg over to fit my knee cap. I am very scared. I have never faced something like this. I am 26 years of age, I have a four year old son. And I need some advise from someone who has gone through this or something simalar. If you can help me out my email is jandjrys@msn.com

i increase my sprint to flat out when i feel a pull behind my left knee,for five weeks now my physio has been treating me for a pinched nerve(stretches/mobilisation)but he has passed me onto an accapuncturist,and after two sessions still the same,iv'e been told i must have scar tissue on the nerve and its catching in its sheaf,but i have no knee injury history and i can run on a treadmill without a problem,ihave new orthotics could they cause this problem?any advice help please

I am a runner that is experiencing severe burning pain after running in cool temperatures. I am fine during my run, it is after I am inside for about ten minutes and begin to warm up. I have tried stretching, taking a hot shower/bath right after running, nothing seems to help. The pain lasts for about twenty to thirty minutes and gradually eases up.