Microfracture Failure

Glad to hear you are seeing some progress.

What really ticks me off is that many people are not informed that the gels injections for some people are an option rather than surgery. Since I live in AZ, 2 athletes actually had very similiar lesions, and one used gel injections (Anquan boldin) and the other had microFX (Amare stoudemire). both seem to be doing well, but just goes to show gel injections can temporailay help the problem without the possibility of micrFX making it worse.

I'll let you know how Steadman goes. Not that I don't understand your nervousness, but I've basically been crippled for 14 months, and since Steadman accepted me, all I can think/pray for is that he can help me walk again without extreme pain.

There is a Mayo clinic, but all OSs (and I've been to 7) have referred me to Dr Carter (Amare's surgeon.). An OS in Dr Carter's practice (TOCA), Dr Dean Cummings, performed the microFx on me that left me in this conidition. The TOCA clinic has since said there is nothing they can do since they do not kow how to fix, me, in fact their exact statement was we are only like auto-mechanics can can do so much. I never thought I'd be in a situation that a OS would operate on me, leave me crippled, and tell me they have no idea what went wrong, but they say there is nothing they can do. It's a pretty helpless feeling.

Anyway best of luck, and let me know abotu your progress. I know you don't want to even think about it, but you probably have the option of other types of surgeries. At least that should give you peace of mind that you can get better. I've heard ACI is painful but very successful.

Starkro, sorry to hear your situation. I know your anxiety, and nervousness. In my situation I was given microfracture surgery in May ’07, and have never recovered and am much worse than prior to surgery. All doctors in the Phoenix area, I have been to see say there is nothing they can do and since I’m too young for a knee replacement I have to live walking with a Cain/crutches for the next 20ish years (till I can have a TKR). Prior to surgery, being very active and athletic this has ruined my life, and I attribute it all to microfracture surgery.

In your situation, you really have to wait 5-8 months, before they can determine if the surgery failed. In PT, I meet others whose surgery failed and were in more pain like myself that prior to MF. The OS can do MRIs, but the only definitive way is to have a knee scope. Here’s my advice, and I’m not a doctor, but I’ve gone through all types of treatment (pain block injections, synvisc gel, PT 3 different times, etc. . ). First DO NOT have your OS give you cortisone injections. They can deteriorate the cartilage. Try the gel injections; although they did not work for me, they are something that might reduce the pain without major intrusion to the knee. I personally would not participate or push yourself in PT if it makes the knee worse. I am not a candidate for these surgeries (since I have had 4 failed ACL surgeries) , but if you have an ACL and your knee is stable OATS and ACI are other cartilage options. Also, you can get nerve blocks from a pin management doctor, that reduce the pain and might help you tolerate it for periods of time.

I know the frustration and depression that comes as a result of this, so even though I’m not the best person to be telling you this, but you might have options to get better.
Wish me luck, I’m seeing Dr Steadman ( in Vail, CO) first week of July, as kind of a last hope in being able to walk without severe pain again.
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