4 surgeries and possibly more?

I read your posts and it was as if I were reading an autobiography. I'm 23, have had 3 arthroscopies, 2 lateral releases, and recently had a TTO (knee cap re-allignment)I still can't walk or drive, after 2 months and am dealing with frustration as opposed to actual pain! It's reassuring to know that I'm not going crazy, and that everyone else here also deals with the same post op issues. I think the only thing that keeps me sane and sober is having good friends around. Thanks everyone. Amy

I know what you are going through. I am now 45 and I have had 5 surgeries in the last 3 years. All to the left knee. The first one was orthoscopic to find joints rubbing together.The 2nd was a High Tibular Osteotmy or realignment of weight. After the 2nd one about 2 months later I took a step and was in severe pain. My doctor could not find problem so he did exploratory surgery, going in behind my knee and found nothing. 2 weeks later he sent me for an old x-ray and it showed the rachet piece he put in put stress on kneecap and broke off the corner of my kneecap. The 4th surgery, he went in to repair break, he did a bone graph from my hip and put in screws. One year later and my knee is back to bone on bone. I had my 5th surgery sep.2003. They did a TKR on left knee. I went through 6 months of therapy, 5 days a week. After all that my therapist notified my Dr. that there was nothing else he could do. My leg only bends 65 degrees out of 135 degrees for a normal person. And the pain is often unbearable. I know lots of people who has had TKR's and the outcome was wonderful. But my advise to you is do NOT let them do a Ostotomy, it is not worth it and it doesn't last very long. The TKR is for someone who has not had a Osteomy.

Sorry to hear about your surgeries,but hang in there.I to have had quite a few in the last four years.Three on left shoulder,two on right shoulder,one on right knee then right knee replacement.So I know just what you are going through.Plus I just had another MRI on right shoulder which showed the dye leak out into two different places,but my OS says he does not think he can do anymore for me. He said that he does not think another surgery would benefit me,that he was very thurough and could not have missed anything.Also I still walk with a cane because my foot is numb all the time from the first knee surgery,but that OS said it is nerve damage and just live with it.So hang in there,let the support of family and friends keep your mind at ease.But most of all and this is what helped me renew your faith in God.Believe me it has helped me over the last four years.Good Luck and God bless.