tibial tubercle transfer

Hello, I just recently had a TTT done back in Nov 2004. I had it done on my other knee 6 years ago. This time, I was not able to begin walking without a crutch/cane for close to 15 weeks (should have been 6-8 weeks). I am still experieincing swelling in the calf, lower leg, and ankle 15 weeks post op. I am also experiencing tightness on the outside of the knee along with pain when I stand on it. Has anyone esle experienced anything like this after a tibial tubercle transfer? If so, what was the diagnosis and the treatment? My doc (Fulkerson) said that the bone may not be healing as quick as it should be??? Any info would be greatly appreciated since it is getting very frustating at this point... Thanks. Lynne

I had a TTT on the rt knee in 2001 and the left one in 2003 and still have numb skin around the incision. Patty

There are actually 4 different procedures that are classified as TTT. The most frequently used is the Fulkerson procedure. I had the Maquet procedure. Because this procedure involves bone grafts I was in a cast for 3 weeks (confined to bed with my leg elevated) and an imobilizing brace for another 7 weeks (Totally non-weight bearing for 10 weeks also). I was off work for 10 weeks. The pain was nothing. I took pain pills for 2 days after surgery. With the first knee, I was back doing all my former activities at 8 months. With the last one, it has been 17 months and I can finally walk normally! The surgery actually made the knee worse (a chance you take with joint surgery). Anyway, discuss it with your OS, find out which procedure he is doing and what the rehab will consist of. Each procedure and every doctor is different in his treatment of the rehab. Hope this helps! Patty

I just had a TTT (Elmsley) done on the 21st of January. I also had a lateral release done with a scope. This Monday will the start of week 5, and I'm only using one crutch as a precaution (it's very icy here in the Midwest). I'm still working hard on range of motion in PT, but have about a 120 degree bend - still haven't acheived a full straight leg extension though (that seems to be the toughest). My knee is still swollen at around 45cm (give or take), but I'm told this will start to go down once I can begin some strength training on the quad. Getting the quad to fire naturally with walking will assist in draining the swelling from the knee.

As for the loss of feeling, that is a side effect of the surgery. The location in which they must make the insicion is directly above a large nerve base that supports that part of your tibia. Some feeling will return over a matter of years, but some loss tends to variably remain in all patients (again, so I'm told).

I'm sorry to hear that some of you are still having trouble with pain and swelling. I'm hoping I don't incur the same hardships as my therapy progresses. Just stay with your doctors orders, and follow your home exersices; and ice. Take care of your body the best you can by eating right, and getting good supplements.

I'm hoping to be on the track jogging in a few weeks, and then high rep strength training in the gym as well. I'm climbing Kilimanjaro on June 15th, so I can only hope that is enough time to get back in shape.

I wish you all the best of luck! Please check out my site about my climb of Kilimanjaro to save Stage 4 Breast Cancer patients with a ground breaking treatment plan at Johns Hopkins.

www.climbforhopeben.com
www.climbforhope.com

Thanks, Ben Worden