Tibial Tubercle Transfer

I had a tibial tubercle transfer done on my left knee January 2000. While I was in physical therapy for about six months, it was well worth it. My knee is much better and I am glad I had the surgery. Actually, it has come time to do my right knee. While I know the recovery time will be long, the long term benefits are well worth it.

To anyone who can help, I am 32 and going in for a TTT w/ lateral release in a little over a week. I am a little nervious about it. I don't really know what to expect post-op. If anyone can help please e-mail me. I would really appreciate it. Thanx!!

I had a TTT done about 4 years ago and I'm going back for another one at the end of this month. It's a long recovery time at least it was for me. If you would like more details feel free to email me.

I had a TTT done about 4 years ago and I'm going back for another one at the end of this month. It's a long recovery time at least it was for me. If you would like more details feel free to email me.

I've had the TTT surgery about 4 years ago and going back for another one Oct. 22nd. It's a long recovery time at least it was for me. If you would like more details feel free to email me.

I've had the TTT surgery about 4 years ago and going back for another one Oct. 22nd. It's a long recovery time at least it was for me. If you would like more details feel free to email me.

I am 10 weeks post TTT and am stuck at 65 degree bend and still need crutches. Help?? Was not given PT prescription until after the immobilizer was removed 6 weeks post op. What can I do to get better than 65 degree flexion??? What can I do to trust the operated knee to bear full weight? Please help. Lili.

Jake, I had the same thing as you the first two where artoscopic and my last one was a TTT and now I have to go in for a second TTT on Oct. 22. Yes it is a long rehab. My first one I was on crutches for three months. feel free to email me if you would like more info. Wade R Ross

I had the open fulkerson distal patella realignment very similar to the TTT along with a lateral relase. I had the surgery on October 31,2001 and now I am 3 weeks post op and their is only one thing. On week 2 my doc said that it is ok to start bending the knee bit only to a 30 degree angle and that I am also allowed to walk on it. The only thing that is bothering me is that when I went into see him last week what I thought was swelling was a massive amount of dead dried blood clots sitting on my knee. Has anyone else had this problem? He thinks that an infection is starting to set in and if so he will have to go back in and do a clean out. Has anyone been through this? any help would be helpful

Hi Jeanny, I had my TTT and LR June 29, 2001 and I am having the other knee done next week. I think that time frame is fine as long as your first TTT knee is strong. Good Luck and feel free to email me. Luvforcats@aol.com Heather

the ortho doctor has suggested that my 17 yr daughter have this surgery. Im researching to help make an informed decision thanks to all responders

Hi all. I've had knee dislocation problems since I was 12 years old. I had surgery on my right knee when I was 13 to stop the dislocations & that worked but as a result I have severe arthritis under my right kneecap. I'm scheduled to have a TTT w/a lateral release on my knee in February. My sister had both of her knees done, at the same time, 5 years ago. So I know how successful and painful the surgery can be but my question to everyone is there anything you recommend that I could do now to aid in my recovery? Obviously I'm limited in the type of activities I can do at the gym but I'm still trying. Any tips or advice anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I am 18yrs old and am supposed to have lateral release on my right knee. i was wondering if this procedure actually works, and how long the recovery period is and what needs to be done. thank you

moriartymoe,Yes, the TTT surgeries are major. Recovery is long, but if able to get along on crutches you won't be helpless. I went back to work part-time after two weeks wearing tens unit for pain control. My former company would bend over backwards to accommodate any need. If you're determined and work for a wonderful, low-pressure and helpful company you'll probably be able to go back to work soon. Your surgeon should give you an estimated recovery time at home. your recovery is more important than rushing back to any job. Take care and good luck. -jj

moriartymoe@aol.com , TTT surgery is major and the pain is intense for the first five days. I was an hospital for that five days, so pain management was good. Following week, regular Darvocet or Vicodin will do the trick. You are right that pain meds make you fuzzy. The tens unit provides pain control without those side effects. Your doctor will likely keep you on crutches for some time. You won't be able to bear weight on that leg for about six weeks or more. Reading through this web site is helpful. There seems to be some variety of treatments, however many things are consistent. I had surgery for both legs six months apart. The braces were worn for eight weeks. The braces are better than a cast, because the Velcro is adjustable and you're able to sneak in and scratch occasionally. If I had to do it all over again, I would. Although the recovery is long, the surgery enabled me to walk and relieved a lot of pain. I've had seven knee surgeries so far. My TTT surgeries were done a long time ago, mid-80s. Was surprised to learn from this site that the treatment and surgery has not changed. Unfortunately, now having knee problems again and will probably have TKRs. Meanwhile, pain management clinic is recommending a tens unit again. You can e-mail me direct for more questions at jjschaaf@mindspring.com

moriartymoe, yes, you're right that some of the timetables regarding hospital stay, length of time wearing brace and beginning physical therapy vary. If your OS says that partial weight-bearing after two weeks is okay, then it's OK. Your OS will probably give you more details about when to start PT and if he/she will allow you to remove brace for showering. My brace stayed on around the clock. I wore a plastic garbage bag tied with a large rubber band in the shower. I drove an automatic car within two weeks by keeping braced leg out of the way--- either with the seat pulled back to accommodate left leg brace or with right leg up on passenger seat. However, your doctor may have other ideas about driving. Have not heard of them that type of cold pack. After every surgery I had some sort of ice packs for the first few days. Every story is a little different. When is your surgery? --jj

I have had the transfer done on both knees. I basically have had the same problems. My knees crunch as well. I also had three surgeries on my knee right knee and one on my left. Unfortunately the procedures did not help. The recovery is painful and long. I am still in physical therapy - my surgery was Sept. 25,01. Everybody is different. One problem that I had that you may not is that I have shallow groves where the patella tracks. This is why although they raised the tubrical it wasn't enough. It did help with stabilty and my patella is tracking straight now. I had my surgery done at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, I recommend this hospital. If you are not in New York make sure you are comfortable with your doctor and that he and the hospital have a good reputation.

I'm 16 years old and I've had 2 knee sugery's in the past 1.5 years. I'm i quite a lot of pain. My docto won't really listen to what I have to say about my knee. All he tells me is that there is nothing that is causing me pain, and that the pain will go away over time, and that I need to build strength in my leg, but my physical therapist says otherwise. She thinks that my leg and knee are strong enough, and a to the pain, she doesn't know what to say. My first surgery(march of 2000) was a Fulkerson and the second was a removal of hardware and an oscile. After the first surgery my knee and kneecap where doing fine, except for a lot of pain that I had below the knee joint. The doctor decided (2nd surgery...Sept. 2001)to remove the screws and a piace of bone that was in my knee from who knows where(doc. says he doesn''t know how it got there). So i had the second suregery. But the doctor didn't do what he was supposed. One of the screws broke off and is right at the moment is still logged in my bone. This is causing serious pain, and I don't know what to do. Also, after the 2nd surgery my knee sudenly started to get worse. it once again started poping and buckling. Can someone please help me???

I have the same problem as Jake, except for the fact that I'm 17 years old and I have the problem on both knees. I've had a lateral release and scraping done on both my knees (twice on my right and once on my left) All the recovery time I've had has pretty much shrunk my leg and ever since my 2nd right knee surgery, I've been unable to get any of my muscle back due to the pain, which in turn has left the stability of my knee to be minimal. The latest doctor I've seen has told me about the Fulkerson Procedure and I was wondering if this would be the right step for me at this time. I want to be fixed before college, but I'd like to know if it's really worth it at this point in my life. Thanks in advance.

Hi all! I am 26, an OT grad student. I have have 3 scopes, lateral release, torn cartilage, abnormal Q angle, been through Mc Connell taping, VMO retraining, protonics, ect. IT all worked for awhile then the pain returns. Now I am always in a pain while walking, expecially stairs. I can't go up stairs without severe pain in both knees. I can't do any of the sports I used to do. I am tired of dealing with the pain and the conservative treatment. This has been going on for 10 years now. I have the rest of my life and don't want to face it like this. I also need my knees for my career as an occupational therapist. I am wondering if this surgery would help me. My new os has suggested it. I wonder how long I will be off work. I draw blood at a local hospital and am on my feet for half my shift. The dr said about a week off of work, what you all are saying is different than what he says. What is your opinion???? Kelli