Tibial Tubercle Transfer

pbaseballfan, It sounds like your surgery is very similar to what I had (TTT). Although, I don't think they cracked my tibia. They did use a 3" screw and did reposition my patellar tendon with a bone graft. I also had the lateral release. When did you have your surgery? How is your outcome? -Kim

Hi Liz - I saw my surgeon yesterday, 6 week check up. My knee is a bit swollen from overdoing things but otherwise it is looking good. I have to take anti-inflamatories and keep using plenty of ice to sort it out. My brace is off, thank goodness - straight in the dustbin. When I mentioned your case to my surgeon, David Johnson, he asked where you live and the name of your surgeon. I did not know the answer. So, what is his name and where does he practice? See, someone is interesred in you! David Johnson also deals with sports injuries and has appeared in the press when Matthew Cappotelli, who plays football for Western Michigan University, came to him in Bristol when an operation in the US failed to cure his problem. I do not see my surgeon weekly, three weekly, then as things progress 6 weekly etc etc. This has been ongoing for 18 months to get both legs sorted. It is the physiotherapist I see weekly. Do you go to the gym daily? Are your quads improving? I had problems with my ham string in the first leg but once I had a depomedrone & marcain injection it got better within a few weeks. How about straightening your leg from a sitting position, can you do it now? What exercises are you doing? I find I am very aware of children and dogs thinking they might run into me but I am sure that will go as we both gain confidence. You say that you have a numb patch, as does Joshua. I had quite a large "dead" patch on the outside of the first leg but that has now come back to life. I now have the same condition on the second so I am confident this too will recover. I would like to hear how you are getting on. Jean

Gosh, I haven't been able to get to this site for a while the computer siad the page had an error. Nice to be back, hello everyone. Yep, I'm scheduled for May 29th but I have an appointment on the 23rd to discuss the procedure and plan. My Dr. wants to do an O.A.T.s procedure ( it's a cartilage transfer from uninjured parts to worn areas ) I'm considering it but if we don't fix the cause........... I don't know; I'll know more next week. Sring has finally come to Alaska. Last week we had snow fall 5 out of 7 days but this week it's sunny and in the 60's. Great bike riding weather-for the kids!

Hey everyone well, 'got back from the Dr. and it sounds like I get both a knee realignmemt and an osteochondral transfer. OUCH think of me next Tuesday, if you coould. Sounds like I'll be laid-up for a while. Kind-a scary! see-ya Kim

Kim, Best of luck !!! Just rest ice and elevate and let others take care of you!!! Take the pain meds thjey help!! Cari

cari, I have been researching this surgery since my visit with my doctor who has recommended I have it done. Can you please tell me how you are feeling now? My doctor explained the surgery to me and didn't sugar coat it either so I am so afraid. Fill me in PLEASE!!!!!

Jean,Thank you for your concern! Things are getting slooowly better for me. It's now 3 months since the TTF and I can straighten my leg when sitting down and get up stairs (I kind of fall down them!). I am doing cycling in the gym but can't manage much else there - mainly doing leg raises and standing on one leg with eyes shut - hopefully to improve my balance which is shockingly bad now (now just scared of big dogs and boisterous children!). How are you doing? Liz

Joshua, Nice to hear you are back at work even if it is light duty and temporary you are out of the house !!!!! The surgery for the screws being removed isn't as bad as the TTT but it still hurts..at least with me it did and I had restrictions after. It is great you are off pain meds. I am working towrds that gaol and I go for a nerve blcok on MOnday 6/25/01. Keep in otuch Cari

I now have a surgery date of July 6th for my TTT. After doing alot of research I now understand the complexity as well as risks and benefits of the surgery. At the age of 37 I am a bit nervous, since the lateral release most likely would have worked had I not lost my balance and blew out my knee3 1/2 weeks post op. I have one question to ask all those who have gone through this surgery. If you had to do it all over again, would you do it?

Kim, It does seem you have been through alot, the bone graph is something I had asked my Doctor about. It seems that in my knee joint were there is supposed to be a vshaped groove, mine is actually flat, he is concerned and wondering if the TTT will work. I had asked about maybe a graph and he said unfortunately for this case it would not work. So am I am getting more and more nervous each day. I am glad to hear you are doing better and on the road to recovery. Cathy in Arizona

I had my TTT in November, 1974. There is still some numbness on the outside of my knee almost 27 years later. The numbness was pretty bad for about ten years after the surgery. I suspect you develop some collateral nerve regeneration over the years. Please tell your daughter she will get used to it. I would have to say the surgery was a success as the alignment on that knee remains satisfactory. Rehab is so greatly improved over 1974, that I have to believe the recovery time is considerably shorter than before.

I'm 19 and had a Tibial Tubercle Transfer, six weeks ago. I've been doing physcial therapys since three days after my surgery. I'm still having alot of pain. My doctor keeps saying give it time you had a big operation and the bone needs time to heal. I understand this but I still want to know around how long its going to take until my knee really starts to feel better.

Hi everyone! I just wanred to check in with a status report......... Remember I had my realignment and cartilage transplants about 8 1/2 weeks ago. I am up to 50-75% weight-bearing ride the stationary bike eith full rotation and I have 120 degree flexion. I can survive 7-8 hours without pain med.s . Hey, are some of you all having spasm-pain and resistant swelling at the patella tendon ? I can walk with a single crutch for short periods, actually, I am in between needing 1 or 2 crutches. I have a little hip-flexor tendonitis but ice in strategic spots take care of that. It's nice to finally not have a horror-story to share!!!!!!! I know this a long road back to tae-kwondo but post-op livin' is so much better thans the weeks before! Take care everyone- Peace (Alaska)Kim

I had this surgery back in 1997 and rehab was long. I had pain in the area where the connection was done for over 2 years. As for the noise and grinding in your knee I have had 3 other surgery since to again fix the problem. The have cleaned behind the knee cap and remove a part of the knee cap and I still have pain and the gringing noise. I wish you the best of luck with this. I am hoping for a knee replacement at the age of 37.

I am 3 weeks postop from the TTT, flukerson procedure. I had the same surgeries as you. I had the lateral release january 2000 and the chondroplasty,shaving done in july 2000. I was still in severe pain and unable to walk without the brace being locked straight. There is a long recovery from the TTT. The first 2 weeks are the worst for pain. You may be immobilized for 6 weeks and on crutches and then a long road to recovery. I am not walking or bending my knee yet, but I can already feel a difference in my knee. I am no longer in constant pain and the popping is gone. I am glad to have it done. My os says I am healing better from this surgery, better than the arthroscopic. My os says I will be in pt for about 8 months, but I have a really weak quad, so I have to rebuild that. Email me if you have any more questions. Luvforcats@aol.com Good Luck. Heather

Hey everyone, I find myself in a quandry. I started gait training in the pool about 2 weeks ago and my swelling is progressively, slowly worsening and I have had my knee lock a couple of times, give out and made audible grinding. I do not use crutches and have a mild limp. (I also am wearing out the other knee) Should I go whining to my Dr. yet? Is this normal? I still need to take vicodin once or twice most days, usually for a pain in both knees (usually a similar pain to before surgery) Am I a nervous nellie or should I be concerned? The pain feels like it's worsening By the way, fall has come to interior Alaska. The days are shorter and cooler. No the trees have not changed but that should be happening by mid-August! opinions and advise welcome

to the 39 y.o. who is tired of her knees, have you had any previous knee surgeries? are you visiting a physical therapist? have you gotten a second opinion? ....just curious about the history... I am 37 and I have had 4 knee surgeries in 2 years my last surgery was done 5/29/01. the realignment was set with a bone graph instead of screws. so far so good. for me putting it off was the worst-I ended up with 2 worn to bone areas in the cartilage. it hurts, but so does needing the surgery and keep in mind, it is major surgery. I have a permanent lump on my tibia and a 4-5 inch scar. rehab and patience with ones-self are musts. you are welcome to write for more specifics

Whats going on out there? A little glich in the system? Someone, I need a pep talk about rehab. My knee's cartilage isn't healed and I'm back to a crutch! It feels like the adjust in the alignment wasn't enoug of an angle change? I'm 3 months out and the pain has worsened my locks when I put full weight on it. It started out as a squishy feel- like steping on a sponge- now it feels like glass. The swelling is persistant. My "good knee" crackles like vecro on the stairs; it's painful and R.O.M has been limited. P.T. is backsliding because of it, too. I know I'm wiening! Any ideas? Cheerful words?------thanks---alaskaKim

I had a Fulkerson procedure done on my knee last week and went back to the doctor yesterday to get the stitches out and bandages changed and i had blood blisters all over the area. did anyone else have this post-op and how long did it take to go away? my doctor said it was definitely unusual to have blood blisters but didn't seem too concerned. (other than that, he said it looked good and i am not in too much pain!)

hey people, i'm only 14 and i'm having the fulkerson procedure done next month on my left knee. then in december i'll have the right one done. in february i was playing soccer and fell and broke my patella, tibia, and dislocated my knee. had a full leg cast for 6 and 1/2 weeks. after that no problems. but in august i was playing basketball and dislocated my right knee. and ever since then bot knees have been popping out of place. now surgery is the only option. well, if anyone has any suggestions about rehab or things not to do or things to do email me! thanks! monica