Please Help!?

Question

Bad knee surgery?
has anyone ever had a lateral release knee surgery or any other type of othroscopic surgery that didnt work or the problem came back? if so what did you or the doctor do to fix it?

Answer 1

I first injured my left knee when I was 13 (running track) and had my first othroscopic operation when I was 19. Because of the operation, over time I began to develop osteoarthritis in my left knee. This is a direct result of the surgery, as whenever air gets into the joint, it speeds up the development of osteoarthritis. I had my second operation on my knee when I was 37, and my knee has only gotten worse. Both times, they operated to remove torn cartilage, and the second time was also to remove some bone spurs. The pain I have to live with is quite severe, so I know what you're talking about in that area. I am currently in the most painful stage of the disease and soon there will not be any cartilage left in my knee. I have had, on many occassions, that shooting paid that starts in the knee and radiates to the outer thigh... I too, must have a knee replacement and the doctors are trying to "buy time" until I'm 50, because if they do a knee replacement now (I just turned 41), I'll be in a wheelchair by the age of 68 (after 4 knee replacements)... The following is what my doctors have recommend for me:

1. Anti-inflammatory medicine - This is very important, because the more swelling or fluid you have on the knee, the more painful and restrictive your knee will be. At first, they prescribed 800 mg of Ibuprofen 4 times a day. I did that for about a year, then they put me on Mobic (prescription). I took that for less than a week, due to all the serious side effects, and went back to the ibuprofen. I recently learned about the anti-inflammatory properties of Aspirin, so I have started to take 2 regular strength aspirin 2-3 times a day and you know what? It actually works better than the ibuprofen or the Mobic! It's a lot cheaper, too! If it starts to bother your stomach, get the coated aspirin, such as Ecotrin.

2. Glucosamine Condrointin - This is a natural supplement that helps to prevent further damage to the cartilage, and possible regrowth of the cartilage. If you have lost any cartilage, this is vital. It does help.

3. Excercise!!!!!!! It's very important that you exercise!!! I know you said you can't, because of the pain, but it's worth it! Make sure you take anti-inflammatory medicine about an hour before you exercise, and that will help to reduce the pain (due to the pain reliever in the aspirin or ibuprofen, plus the anti-inflammatory properties of it). Ride a bicycle - it's one of the best things you can do for your knee! Swim!!! This is also extremely beneficial to the health of the knee!!! Finally, work out with weights! I know it sounds odd, but trust me - it works! Since I have started working out with weights, my knee pain has gone from almost constantly chewing pain pills, to most days not even taking an aspirin! All that in less than a month! Here are the exercises you need to do - A. Leg press, keep the weight low, but do a lot of repititions. Start out slow (fewer repititions) and gradually work your way up to a normal weight/repititions, but DO NOT strain! I suggest that you start this out at around 50-60 pounds, and about 30-40 repititions. B. Leg curls - again, low weights, high repititions. I would suggest that you start this out at around 20-30 pounds, and only 20-40 curls. Again, gradually work your way up...

The reason these exercises are so important, is that they will help to strengthen the tendons, ligaments and muscles around your knee. You have to gradually re-strengthen your knee, in order to live a fairly normal, pain-free (or minimal pain) life...

4. Supartz Injections - Supartz is a natural lubricant that is injected directly into the knee. It is a series of 5 injections. I had this done a couple of years ago, and it helped tremendously. Recently, I had the Halygen injections (similar to Supartz), but it didn't work nearly as well as the Supartz. Not knowing your exact condition, I can't say if this will help you...

My doctors are the team doctors for a major College Football team, so obviously they specialize in Sports Medicine.

I hope you find this information helpful!