Chondral Transplantation

I feel sad that you're in constant pain, no operation should leave anyone in such a bad state; isn't there anything that can be done?Personally, I don't have any pain in my knees, they're just useless at keeping me upright and I get very frustrated as doing simple things I used to take for granted are no longer possible. My car is sitting in the driveway and although I feel I could drive it - it's automatic - I can't get to it because of the steps I'd have to negotiate. Like you, I'm also having trouble with my shoulders now - not from using crutches, but because the arthritis has got to them too, the only option left now is a fusion of both shoulders. I don't want to give up with the leg exercises yet, otherwise I'll lose any muscle tone I've still got, also I feel this may help to keep my hips going for the foreseeable future. I do get up every morning and potter about the house until the knees get wobbly, then mostly end up either knitting or sitting in front of the pc but I do feel a lot weaker if I stay in bed. I feel really guilty that my husband has to come home after work and start cooking, something else I can no longer stand long enough to do. I had to visit the neurosurgeon a few days ago, hubby carried me from the house to the car and I felt silly and useless, also the walking frame was of no use, as there's a long walk through the hospital so I was relegated to a wheelchair. I've lost control of my life to a very large degree and that's what bothers me the most. You'd think in these days of hi-tech and xenotransplantation that someone would have come up with artificial kneecaps that work! Please write back and let me know how you are coping. Christine

Christine: Hi! I live in the USA. I have no knee caps whatsoever. Stop! Stop! doing the excercises you were told to do after your TKA. Unless something sles come available you will no be able to strengthen your legs and yes falling is par for the course. I have been using a wheelchair as my legs give out to. I sometimes use crutches but because of the constant use I am having problems with my shoulder joints and have had a few surgeries in each. And know because I do not have knee caps my right hip has become affected. The more you do; as far as walking etc. the worse your knees will become. To be perfectly honest you probably should not have had the TK operations. Please let me know more re: your condition and I may be able to help you. As of now stor the excercises becauses you are continuously hurting youself.

Well,o.k. I have had cartilage grafting but if you re-injure your knee then it is not a big help. I've torn my meniscus and it has been repaired but my knee has gone through so much trama and I have been in so much pain that I had a major accident that the orthopedic took out my kneecaps (needless to say he is no longer my doctor!)I am in horrible pain and am on morphine and have had numerous surgeriesso much so that I was ordered to quit work. I also have a spinal cord stimulator. It's all so involved and I so tired right now I will write more later. Please write all questions!! Liz

I had bi-lateral knee arthroscopyis on June 29, 2004. By the first 3 days post op I had my full motion back. After about a week and 1/2 I was off crutches. I've got a great surgeon. ontact me if you want addition information. (by the way I have no kneecaps. At one point I had a two surgeons who really messed me up!!!

Sounds like we have the same problem. I had a scope of my right knee and since then taking stairs is an ordeal. I find that I can climb stairs easier than go down them, though. I have looked into ACI but recognize that it is a dicey operation. It costs a lot of money, the rehab is extensive and there are absolutely zero promises. Plus, there still is a lack of long term data on the durability of the operation.

I AM 25 YEARS OLD. I PLAYED SOCCER FOR 20 YEARS AND 2 YEARS AGO I HAD THE OATS PROCEDURE DONE ON MY LEFT KNEE. I WENT THROUGH 8 WEEKS OF NONE WEIGHT BEARING ON MY LEFT KNEE, ABOUT 3 MONTHS OF REHAB, I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PLAY SOCCER SINCE, AND NOW 2 YEARS LATER I AM SEEING A ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON AGAIN FOR MORE SURGERY ON MY LEFT KNEE AGAIN. I REALLY AM NOT TOO IMPRESSED WITH THE FIRST SURGERY TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT A PROCEDURE CALLED "CARTICEL." SEE I STILL HAVE THE SAME PAIN AS I DID BEFORE I HAD THE SURGERY, SOMETIMES IT IS WORSE THAN BEFORE I HAD THE SURGERY, BUT CARTICEL IS DONE BY GRAFTING YOUR KNEE. CHECK IT OUT I THINK IT IS WWW.GENZYME.COM GOOD LUCK WITH THE SURGERY!!!!!!