Tibial Tubercle Transfer

Hi JOshua, I am so sorry about your setback..good luck on the 26th !!! I did want to say something about the emotional side..Sometimes it is far worse then the physical side. I had a Fulkerson TTT and lateral release 11/30/99 and my knee is great. I always had shin pain that progressed to severre so in JuUne 00 I had the screw removed. After 8 months thee was not much improvement so my os had a nbone scan and MRI done and noticed vast inflamation and a cyst. I had surgery on 2/13 whcih should have just been minor with a small incision. It wound up being pretty major and my os opeend up my whole incision from the Fulkerson and I have to be on crutches for 4 weeks. This bothered me more emotionally then physically but I will persevere and so will you. Be strong and let your wife maybe read some of the posts on this and other boards it might just help her also. What got me through the shin problem was the fact that my knee was wonderfull !! Take care and keep us posted !! Cari

Well, I get my cast off tomorrow! That's a happy occasion! I'm now 23 days post-op from my Fulkerson procedure on my left knee. I will switch to an immobilizer for the next three weeks. Still have to talk to the dr about physical therapy, I'm a little nervous about starting that. But as of now, I have been off the painkillers for about a week. I still have to do this again with my other knee, depending on whether I see significant improvement on this one. The other knee is taking a beating lately, being that I've had to favor that one for the last few weeks. Joshua - how are things going with you?

Thanks for writing!!! I have such a sharp pain with stairs,I'm complicated by atrophy of the quads from a spur on the upper, outer side of the femur and that "digs" into the tendons with aggressive PT . It will probably be spring before surgery. Does your body adjust to the screw?--I have had 3 knee surg. in 2 years and as you can imagine I am apprehensive aboout any more intervention. Seems llike having a good PT is a priority. Joshua, I have you luck like mine --- God bless It is great that you have a Dr. understands pain. Not controling acute pain can cause untreatablle chronic pain***** Don't let any Dr. blow off your pain, everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FYI-----TLC is running a show this month about chroniic pain I am enjoying this please write back

The knee actually looks better than I thought. My doc said he opts to have a cast put on post-op so that there is no chance of the patient messing up all the work he did in surgery. I guess it gives the bones a chance to start the healing process. Right now I am in an immobilizer that I am to take off twice a day to start my bending excercises. So far I feel as if I am barely bending at all, but I can see a slight improvement today from when I started on Thursday so I guess that's a good sign. I will start real physical therapy and lose the immobilizer in 3 weeks (March 15th). I can feel the screws below my knee, that's kind of gross. I will have them removed in a few months. The doc was impressed with his incision, he said he usually has to cut longer for a Fulkerson, but I have unusually small pataellas? Whatever that means! Anyhow, can't tell you how nice it was to shower (still sitting on a stool) on Friday and actually wash my leg! I'll never take showers for granted again! I am going back to work tomorrow! I am ready to go back, since I am going crazy sitting at home, but it's going to be hard having to wake up early again! Joshua - Good luck to you tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you! Please let us know how it goes!

Joshua, I'm so sorry to hear of all the problems with your knee. I've been following your progress (or lack thereof)--can you sue your employer for damaging your knee again?? No one should have to endure all of that. I am now 4+ months out from surgery and the knee feels good. There is still pain from the arthritis but anti-inflammatories help that and I can now climb stairs without much pain. It's been a long time! Good luck on Friday. Sharon

Joshua my Son, I can't believe this is happening to you. Will it ever end? I hope things somehow find a way for you to heal better and without pain. My heart bleeds for you. Take care. Ma Donna

Dear All, I have been reading with interest your e-mails while sat at home (Melbourne, Australia) recovering from knee surgery myself, and wondering whether I have had the same procedure as you! I feel a bit stupid that I don't know precisely what I've had done - I have tried asking my doctor but he is seems to get annoyed with me and gives me evasive answers! My history is that I have dislocated my kneecap several times, the last time being on New years Eve (and no, I wasn't drunk!) after which I had to hike for 8kms out of the bush (that's wilderness). The knee never really recovered - it was hugely swollen and the knee cap kept coming out of it's groove every time I straightened my leg. Two different doctors recommended knee stabilization surgery. They said that my tendons were attached two far over to the outside of my knee, predisposing the knee cap to dislocation, and that the surgery would fix this. I had surgery a week ago; arthroscopy to take out a chunk of torn cartilage, lateral release and the tendons being moved. I know this involved a bone graft and the tendons being reattached with a screw. Now that the fear of the surgery is over, I am curious to know more. I can't find any references to knee stabilization surgery on the web. Does anyone know whether I have had a Tibial Tubercle Transfer?! If so, I am a bit scared by all the complications that can occur (after reading your e-mails!) but would like to know more so that I can hopefully ask the doctor some intelligent questions and get a straight answer! Does anyone know of a web site that gives TTT surgery details and statistics in layman’s terms? Also anything about post-operative exercises? My physio has said that I need to do straight leg raises and leg bending, but the doctor says I shouldn't do anything for 5 weeks in case I undo some of the surgery. Thank you to anyone that has read this rather hefty e-mail. I feel quite bemused, alone and confused and am grateful to have someone to talk to about this. Hope you are all doing well in your various states of repair and anticipation. Liz Jones.

Joshua, So glad to hear you are home !!! I had 2 screws but no washer !!! Just take those pain pills and rest !!!!!!!!! The first 2 days should be the worst !! I will keep you in my prayers !!!! Cari

Joshua, I am a nurse and I've seen it all and I can safely that most, staples are removed with ease( they just use a tool and bend them backwardsand they slide out ) When Dr.s opened my shoulder they just wired it closed with 12 inches of wire, weaved thru the skin! I went back to the Dr. today and I have 6 more weeks of PT before my doc will even approach workers comp. for my knee fix. I'm chewing up my cartilage with my sublexation( yes this brace helps ) and I've been in PT since November; my left thigh and knee area is still 1/2 inches off. I don't understand why for 10 weeks I could only tread water in PT with muscle strength and bulk- NO matter what I did or how much pain I've worked thru!! Anyway I whine too much- just frustrated. ( There was only 4 months between my lateral release and my fall at work and resulting in another scope/clean out/smooth out, etc. ). So anyway, take care Joshua and hey, liltoad how's the knee? Kim

Momma Donna, don't worry about it. Be happy that your knee is doing good. I'm extremely happy for you and your healing, and don't worry about me, I'll be ok. My knee is doing better, infact I'm sure this third surgery will be my last (unless I have another neglegant doctor hit my knee again). The staples bother me a little bit, I suppose scare me that they are going to hurt but hearing from Kim that they ease right out helps ease my anxiety. I'm sure they just take them out like stitches, but it's just the idea of removing the METAL from my leg. I was looking at my incision site yesterday when I was cleaning the site and noticed that one of that staples tore my skin. Apparently it was stapled pretty tight and the movement of my leg pulled the staple MAYBE 2 millimeters, but you can plainly see the tear from where the staple USED to be on my leg. It's nothing major, just hurts when I touch it. (grin) Yes, I know, all together now..."Then DON'T touch it!" Yes, yes. Again, I'm doing better. I suppose the stir crazy is driving me up the wall more than my pain. I'm surprised the amount of alieviated pain from this third surgery. Granted, I have two screws, two washers and all these staples to show for it, but if it all heals properly, then great. I think I am just caught up with what I am going to do when I am healed. Everyone (MD, PT, and wife) all tell me not to worry about it right now, just to relax and heal, but I AM worried about it. I'm affraid my knee isn't going to be well enough for me to do my nursing duties as before. Being a Psych Nurse, I'm on my feet most of the day, with sitting time sparatic and usually only when I am charting. I need my knee to be able to kneel down, run or drop to my knees at any moment and I can't have any problems with it. My MD says I'll heal fine and return to work 100%, but I seriously doubt I'm going to be 100% or even better than I was before my initial injury. Now I have TWO screws in my Tibia and that makes the percentage of stress fracture increase dramatically. I guess I'm worrying about stuff that I can't control right now, I just need to rest. Everyone keep their head up. This isn't a moaning and whining board (though all you females are MUCH stronger and tougher than I am, I'm the one doing all the whining) (grin) It is very nice to be able to talk to many people with similar injuries, though my wife assists me with many ADLS she can not understand my real pain because she has not been through my surgeries. Well, everyone heal well and keep in touch. Joshua Parker (just call me the whining little boy)

Hi everyone! Happy St. Patrick's Day! Well, I am now almost 7 weeks post-op from a Fulkerson procedure on my left knee. I went to see the doctor on Thursday and he wasn't very pleased that I was only able to bend about 45 degrees. So, he proceded to bend about 90 degrees for me. It hurt more that anything I could ever have imagined. He broke up all the scar tissue in my knee though and after the initial pain it started feeling much better. I started physical therapy on Friday and have several exercises to do at home. I am walking with no immobilizer and only one crutch, which I am to wean myself off of in the next 2 weeks. Hopefully I will begin gaining strength back in my leg soon and will be back to normal in a month or so. Joshua, how are you doing? I have been thinking of you! Anyhow, good luck to all my fellow knee pain sufferers!

I'm getting so frustrated!!! I knee doesn't tolerate walking without the feeling of pinching inside. It's better with the brace but my PT has instructed me to use a cane( it helps, I must admit ) Stairs are almost impossible! I go to see the w/c Dr. April 20. I injuried myself 10-23. I use ice, elevation, and pain pills but I can't escape it all. I may get surgery in late May. Anyone out there have any good insights on how I can convince this workman's comp Dr. to OK my surgery? How about comfort measures? My family is getting worn out with the part-time mom. ...... Help

Hi all! Well, I am about 9 and a half weeks post-op after a Fulkerson procedure on my lefr knee. I am doing pretty well, still in physical therapy. I started driving a couple weeks ago, which was painful at first (I have a 5-speed) but I think it has actually helped in strengthening my leg muscles. I am able to walk up and down stairs with minimal pain and I don't even have a limp anymore. So, I am pretty happy with my progress. It hasn't been easy, but since I can already tell a difference and have more pain in my other knee now than the one he fixed (which was the worse of the two), I think it was worth it. I am planning to do the same surgery with the other knee probably in October. Joshua - glad to hear things are starting to look up for you! Take care everyone!

Finally found the correct forum with all you TTT knee folks. I am amazed how many people have had the same multiple knee surgeries! Current treatment and therapy seems surprisingly unchanged since I had my TTT surgeries. My TTT, lateral releases, etc were done nearly 20 years ago. (Plus a couple of repairs since, minor and major). Although full recovery does take some time and patience, it does happen. Good news for those individuals worried about recovery and returning to activities. Post TTT, I was able to function for most activities.... with some adjustments. Cycling replaced running. Cross-country skiing replaced downhill skiing. Hiking poles enabled me to backpack and hike. Bad news for me is that my misalignment has chewed up my patella cartilage, to the point of bone on bone, and am back to being lame. Has anyone gone past TTT surgeries to treat/repair on going misalignment problems? What's next?

Donna, thanks for the input. I have been waiting FIVE months for my orthopedic appt. Will finally see doc on apr 16. Lots of time to research while I wait. Heard the knee replacement surgeries are easier than the TTT of yesterday and even todays TTT. But, really, no one looks forward to knee surgeries no. 8 and 9. thanks again!-jj

why does my knee hurt so much when I stand for any length of time. if it's long enough my brace will be of no help. What would you veterans think? - 5 1/2 months of pt and still having lots of evening pain, stair pain,throbbing and swelling. what am I doing wrong? I'm getting so tired............

Still anxious about my upcoming orthopedic surgeon appointment. My knees are at the point, many years post TTT, that continue to be problematic. While waiting the five months for my appointment, have been self treating for my chronic chondromalacia. Most of you know that routine. Anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, modified routine, glucosamine, patella stabilizing knee braces and orthotics. Hasn't made any difference. While waiting, have spent time researching, including reading through these forums. Myknee.md responded to my inquiry and said treatment for my condition could be "patellectomy and patellar resurfacing" with, of course, a disclaimer saying to ask my doctor. Has anyone here had either of those procedures? Nearly twenty years ago my doctors recommended patellectomy. My research hasn't found much in the way of positive results for either patellectomy or patellar resurfacing. Was hoping that new technology has come further since my TTT surgeries. All this speculating is not helping much. There's just and strong a chance that the doctor will do nothing vs. recommended a patellectomy. Guess I will have to see what the doctor says next week.

Joshua, good luck with your S&M, I mean physical therapy. I'm new to the site, but not to knee problems. Your input seems to be one of the primary threads holding this forum together. My TTT surgeries were done many years ago, but the treatment and surgery is amazingly unchanged!!! Sorry you are having to cope with surgery and PT. Who would think humans could put up with so much pain? Be strong and know that you're not going through this alone.-jj

I guess I wasn't clear; I had a scope in 2/00 to clear out "deterianting cushion"(haha), then in 10/23/00 I fell on a wet floor and landed directly on the same knee. The week of Thanksgiving '00 I had another scope to clean things up again. I have been in therapy since, and had a brace made for me but the response has only been fair. My muscle and pain level have kept me from "bulking up". In Jan. I went to the w/c Dr. and told him that my Dr. feels I need to have a sublexation repaired. The w/c Dr. said 12 more weeks of pt and I will be pain free. Not quite in agreement, huh? Well, the pain has been steady, I go to pt 3 days a week and work as a receptionist, instead of a nurse, fulltime. And my situation stays: pain and giving away with stairs, or unlevel ground and burning, throbbing and spasms- daily. I'm tired of the Dr.'s jargon and the fact that I'm between the two of them; I'm tired.

Kim, you are seeing a W/C doctor? As in workers compensation? If so that explains the limited treatment and your frustration with them. Not sure what state you live in, but you should be able to choose and retain your own doctor. Check with your workers compensation insurance carrier, workers compensation attorney if you have one, or your union representative if you have one, on how to make the switch. My experience with workers compensation doctors was horrible. Not for my knees, knee problems are due to a birth defect, but for hands, wrists, and elbows. I have permanent nerve damage on all of those. In fact, I dictate these messages using a voice recognition software. Enough about that. It seems that workers compensation doctors are at a conflict to keep you at work, get you back at work, dismiss your injuries, treat you with minimal effort, or hope you go away. If any of those situations seem to be occurring with w/c doctor, run (or limp) as fast as you can towards a pro-patient doctor.-jj