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

Second Knee Surgery--PLEASE HELP!!!!! I'm having my second knee surgery on July 17th 2003 and am looking for some advice. I suffered numerous dislocations, and in the summer of 2002 I had my first knee surgery--a lateral release and a lateral realignment of the quadricepts. I was in a great deal of pain, taking percocet, vistral, and oxycontin for about 3-4 weeks (the time frame is hazy because my head was so cloudy then). I thought the surgery would help me, but after just a few months I began having recurrent dislocations again. My quads have never strengthened, and I have been in constant pain. My OS blew me off again and again, so I decided to get a second opinion. He had never so much as performed an MRI or an X-ray! The new doctor seems much more competent and willing to answer all of my questions and concerns. He is recommending a distal realignment (?) wherein the tibia/ shinbone is cut and moved toward the center of my patella, because it does not align properly. He is also re-doing the lateral realignment, because my quads are still so messed up, and the knee itself is so week. I don't know why the first doctor never recognized the problem with my tibia (like I said, he didn't really take me seriously and blew off my concerns), but the new doctor seems to believe my tibia is the cause of my constant knee dislocations. Anyhow, I am looking for anyone and everyone to email me and offer their own stories and advice regarding this procedure. I am very nervous about it, but feel it is the best option for me at this point in time. Based on the X-ray alone, I can see how my tibia doesn't align with my patella. In fact, it's visible just by looking at my leg. I suppose, then, my questions are as follows: 1. How serious will the pain be from the osteotomy as opposed to other surgeries? I am somewhat under the assumption that severe pain is severe pain, and I'm wondering if it's going to be much worse, or if it's just going to be the same old horrid pain for months on end. 2. What kinds of pain medications did you receive? I've heard great things about having a cathater placed in the knee itself as opposed to taking narcotics--but will I require a nurse to come in and change the needles ??? or is this something I can handle on my own (with live-in boyfriend support?) 3. What's the recovery timeline? How long before I am walking? First surgery I was walking in 3-4 weeks while still in a cast, although the doc would have killed me had he found out. I got full ROM back after about 3 months of rehab. Will this be similar? 4. The metal screws in my knee--the new doctor said some people have them removed, while others don't. Some people don't seem to mind them, but others are "bothered" by them. What exactly does "bothered" mean? Is it a psychological issue, or a pain issue? Please, PLEASE help me out here. I need some advice. I've been doing research, but haven't had much luck. I know my knee needs to be fixed, and I'm hoping this works out for me, but I just need a little support and personal advice along the way. And yes, I know each person reacts and heals differently, and that a good attitude going into it is going to make a world of difference. But honestly, how bad is it? Please don't sugar coat it. I dealt with HORRIBLE pain the first time around, and I understand this is going to be awful. But just how awful will it be???? Please EMAIL ME! I need some advice, and I need it quickly. Thank you so much, April From: April Magnuson - aprilmagnuson@earthlink.net

Had surger 7/1/02. Doing stationary bike work and general exercise, but walking still hurts after very little time. Are there some specific exercise I could do to achieve reduction in pain?

I am writing with reference to my son-in-law. He had a 300lb. valve fall on his knee in January. He was operated on and is now going to therapy 4months later. His big problem is serious cartilage damage, Is there something new out that can rebuild cartlage? Kevin had read this somewhere. Do you or anybody know about this ? because he is only 38 knee replacement is not recommended . His job is climbing on ladders at times. Would be interested to hear any info.

I had arthroscopic surgery 3 months ago for patello-femoral problems. They found chronic synovitis, plica, and mild chondromalacia. A partial synovectomy was done. The knee is now basically pain free which is great, but there are "lumps" of scar tissue under 2 of the incisions, and the knee "snaps" but is not painful. It especially snaps under full weight when the leg is straight. As a result I am favoring the leg by walking with it slightly bent. I have tried cold, heat, a few ultrasounds, and massage. I am 3 months post op, and want to know if there is anything else that can be done for this? Is scar tissue formation common after arthroscopic surgery and will it resolve itself in time? Thanks, BrumfieldTodd@hotmail.com

I had my tkr on april 3. 7 weeks ago, it is only at a 59 degree bend, so they are saying it need to be manipulated. Has any one had this done, how did it go , and did it help.

During hand-to-hand combat training with the Army I suffered a blow to the outside of my right knee. The twisting action and subsequent fall caused a SEVERLLY torn MCL and partially torn PCL. But due to red tape with the Dept of Labor I could not receive surgery for about 10 weeks while insurance issues where cleared up. During that time my leg was totally immobilazed. I finally had MCL reconstructiv surgery about 2 weeks ago (Dr's felt the PCL didnt require surgery) My leg has now been immobilize about 3 months total and the muscle deteriation is shocking (my knee is much larger than my quads now) How will this affect my rehab and chances for a full recovery? I was hoping to one day go Rangers or Special Forces which requires tremendous physical fitness to say the least. I would be greatfull for any advice or comments on this issue.

after a total knee replacement august 2000 many problems have occured. scar tissue preventing proper movement and told nothing well help except time? HAVE TAKEN PHY THERAPY 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR 5 MONTHS AND REALLY WORKED HARD ,WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO MORE THEY COULD DO . KNEE WAS MANIPULATED 3 MONTHS AGO STILL DID NOT HELP. ONLY BENDS ABOUT 80 DEGREES VERY PAINFUL AND THE SWELLING IS UNBELEIVABLE. I AM NOT A PERSON THAT SITS AROUND, 61 YEARS OLD AND WORKS 5 DAYS A WEEK. I HAVE PUT WEIGHT ON MY KNEE 3RD DAY AFTER SURGERY I RETURNED TO WORK WAS TOLD THIS WOULD BE GOOD FOR ME.. COULD THIS OF HURT ME INSTEAD OF HELPING? SURE NEED FURTHER ADVICE MY DOCTOR SEEMS TO THINK I AM DOING FINE SAYS SOME KNEES TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN OTHERS....I AM GETTING REAL TIRED OF THIS.... ANY HELP OUT THERE?????

Approximately 3 weeks ago, I was standing up on an airplane, and the raised retractable handle of a piece of luggage, with had another piece of luggage on top of the bag, supported by the raised handle, fell over backwards, with the handle landing on the area just above my knee. I immediately got ice and iced it down. I saw a doctor later, and it was recommened I have therapy and take and anti-inflmmatory meds. Things did not improve. I had an MRI yesterday, and the technician saw water on the knee. I'm wondering the next course of action. Therapy, vs. the RICE...rest theory.

I had surgery on 11/03/00 to repair tears to my ACL, PCL and MCL. I would like to hear from anyone with similar injuries and type or lenght of rebabilitation.