Screw Removal: best thing I did.

Hi Everyone!
This is the first time I am writing. I am 24F. I have an upcoming Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy coming up on January 25th. Along with that they are doing MPFL reconstruction with hamstring allograft. I previously had both my knees done when I was 13 and 14 years old. My knees were dislocating numberous times a day. My mom and brother both had the same problem and had surgery when they were around that age too. They both do not have further problems with their knees. The problem i am having right now is my knee is malaligned (I have a hard time going down stairs because my knee doesnt run on track) Its impossible to wear a high heel and go down steps. It also dislocates too but not as much as it did before my surgery when i was 13. My other knee runs on track a little better but still can dislocate whenevever i move a certain way and am not careful.
I also have severe arthitis and take 2 50mg tramadol daily. Can anyone tell me if they have gotten this surgery, what it was like for recovery and mainly about the screws. My doctor said i would not need to get them removed. But ive been reading this website and everyone talks about not being able to kneel because of them? Please let me know how the screws effect you. Also, it seems like some people say the pain is unbearable and some say it wasnt that bad. I am terrified. Im in fairly good shape right now, im 5' 5'' and around 115 pounds. Does any of this make a difference for my recovery? Thank you very much

I had a TTT done March 13, 2008. I am doing a FEW things I wasn't able to do before the surgery but am not exactly back to everything yet, like full squats, lunges, running, "stepping", jumping and soccer. It's getting better and better though! I am having the screw removed tomorrow, July 3, 2008. I was told it is a 10 minute procedure but must be done in the OR and cannot be done in the office. It sounds like a previous poster made it out okay and rather quickly. I came to this site searching for information on the after-effects of having it removed. I'm currently training for the DALMAC, a 400 mile bike ride from East Lansing, MI to our Upper Peninsula (can't run, might as well bike!) and have a ride planned for Friday, the day after screw removal. Sounds like this might be possible! The docs and PT's anticipate I will be running and back to FULL activities in another couple months - fingers crossed!

So far I'm pleased with the surgery even if I'm not as patient as I should be during recovery. I am told another couple months until really running again. I tried limping/jogging around bases at a friendly softball game and it was quite sore afterwards. As for those still with screws - my doc made it very clear early on that the screw could come out but it was my call. He said some people have issues with them, others don't, but when you think about it, the bone is weakened by that screw inside it since the bone can't (from what I have been told - I'm not medically trained) adhere to that material. Taking it out will allow the bone to regrow.

For those considering surgery, it took a lot for me to undergo my surgery - I am not a huge fan of modern medicine and I have no luck with local anesthesia so they had no choice but to put me all the way out and provide me far more drugs than I wanted. I had read all the horror stories of people during/after surgery undergoing sometimes life-threatening things or even dying from simple procedures. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but it's all a risk. Just remember there's far more that go through it without any issue than those that do have major issues. You just have to be comfortable and confident in your decision!

I had my acl replaced 3 years ago. I've continued to have knee problems and finally went in today to see a doctor (not my surgeon). He said that I may want to consider meeting with my surgeon and having the screws removed (I also have tendonitis in my knee).

What are the benefits to having the screws removed (I'm not sure what pain is caused by the screws and what is from the tendonitis)? What does the surgery entail (ie. general or spinal anaestheasia, crutches, how long do I need to take off work, etc)?

I'm looking for any advice before I take the time to meet with my surgeon.

Thanks,
Sarah

I never had the option of being locally anaethetised. Far better for the body that way. I had my screws removed about 5months ago now, and all's still well. I was in a car accident and subluxed the right knee again, which was a dissapointment. My Surgeon said it may have been a once-off thing, and I haven't had much worries since - except a little pain below the patella. Must say though - when I read these detailed, in-depth stories about how agonising and traumatic post-op life was, it's pretty damn terrifying! I'm soooo glad I didn't read any of these horror-tales before my operations, or I really don't think I'd have gone through with it. Just a note, folks... think before you type - you may be the deciding factor for someone about going through with their own surgery. A little bit of pain vs a lifetime of physical freedom...weigh it up.

Hi Jerry,

The Fulkerson procedure is one of about 4 procedures that qualify as aTibial Tubercle Transfer (or Osteotomy). A really good site to read up on the TTT procedures and others is
Kneehippain.com

Patty

Hi Heather, just wondering if your OS is removing them in the OR or at his office. I have thought about getting mine out but can't convince my OS to do it at his office. Good luck and let me know how it went.

Patty

Thanks for the good news! I had a TTT done in February and was told there would be a permanent "bump" below my knee - this is actually one of the screws. My new doc (I moved, nothing wrong with the first doc.) said he wants to take the screws out. I didn't know that this was an option, and I've been dealing with the screwhead sticking out over half an inch under the skin. I bump it almost daily, and can't kneel because of it.
Now I am seriously considering having them removed. Glad to hear it was a good decision on your part. Please keep me posted.

Chris
34 female