Patella stabilisation surgery - any experiences?

[Gareth1974]

I partially dislocated my left knee in the spring - not for the first time - and had been having physiotherapy since then, in an attempt to strengthen it. On Monday the consultant said I need a patella stabilisation procedure (open surgical stabilisation of the patella w7580).

Have anyone had this operation? How did the recovery go?

I've been advised that I'll be unable to drive for 4-6 weeks, which will be difficult as I have an 2 hour round time to work each day, and normally drive my son to school too.

I’m also not sure if I’ll be able to get upstairs in the immediate few days following the procedure, and I’m wondering if I should convert a downstairs room into a temporary bedroom?

[Gareth1974]

Bump. No-one?

[jules_s]

After about 6 months of physio I had quads like a footballer and then dislocated it again. The pain was about 50% more eye watering than pre-physio

I was offered it and declined it, too much time out recovering

In the end i just gave up doing things that caused the dislocations

[jules_s]

Hi

I've got a bit more time now.

What exactly are they proposing and what is your diagnosis?

I have flat knees (ie no track base in my femurs or the corresponding back of the patellas) which means I have offset tracking, and. well I can pretty much dislocate my knees at will

Over time I've been given various options, none of which tempted me tbh

A/. Physio - see above.

B/, Bone reconstruction on the femur and patella in an attempt to improve tracking. - 6 months out of action iirc

C/. Tendon re-location (im guessing that is what is on offer for you?) I asked the question whether that would stop them dislocating and the specialist wouldn't give me a 100% answer. Pretty much told me if the patella dislocated it would stay out of place and not go back in without hospital

Anyhow good luck with it all.

[The_Doc]

I don't do advice on forums, you need to consult with a surgeon one to one

But, the explanations given above are accurate but perhaps a little pessimistic

We often do an MPFL reconstruction, which in my hands gives a >95% success rate. Just to balance out the info

Go see a sports knee surgeon. The PF joint is full of deep misgiving, but things have improved in the last 10 years or so

[Gareth1974]

The_Doc said:

I don't do advice on forums, you need to consult with a surgeon one to one

But, the explanations given above are accurate but perhaps a little pessimistic

We often do an MPFL reconstruction, which in my hands gives a >95% success rate. Just to balance out the info

Go see a sports knee surgeon. The PF joint is full of deep misgiving, but things have improved in the last 10 years or so

Thanks for this. The gent I’ve seen is indeed a sports surgeon (although my condition wasn’t caused by a sports injury). I’m booked in for surgery on the 28th February, look like I shouldn’t plan on doing much in March!

[Gareth1974]

My surgery is less than two weeks away now, I’d still appreciate any information on what to expect from anyone who’s had the same procedure