Comments on: Knee pain, physio, MRI scans and lateral release surgery

By: JK

JK — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:14:46 +0000

I’m 43 now and have played basketball almost weekly since I was about 15 until I was 39; never had any knee problems. I was taking a brisk walk up a very steep hill and felt something move and “click” but never any pain. The following weekend while playing ball I was simply running down the court, had no contact with anyone but my knee collapsed and I fell down.

MRI showed deep bone bruise and it hurt like hell. After 3 months it kept collapsing and I could not even get up and down stairs. First Dr. did athroscope, shaved down meniscus and removed some bone chips but did not find anything more. The surgery did absolutely nothing and my kneed continued to get worse. I went through rehab and get several corizone shots but nothing helped.

Finally went to get 2nd opinion and x-ray showed spot where I had deep bone bruise had chunk of articular cartilige the size of a dime missing. 2nd arthroscope found dead bone in the spot and my patellas was tracking quite laterally, such that in would engage the dead spot and hurt like hell. The area was cleaned up, microfracture was done to restore blood supply and then had lateral release. Post op notes stated the knee cap was tracking so bad, it was the reason all the articular cartilidge was knocked off.

I vowed never to play any sports like this again and found after six months knee felt better. Before the surgery, I could not get up a flight of stairs without extreme pain and knee collapsing. Started walking, then jogging 9 holes of golf after work and for almost three years it got stronger and stronger.

Five weeks ago I did something foolish. I returned to my old church gym on Saturday morning to play ball again, even though I promised my wife I would not. My knee felt outstanding and I played seven pain free games; something I never thought to be possible again. Feeling good but concerned, I returned to my later that week and he took x-ray again. The area where microfracture was performed was completely filled back in and because of lateral release, the patellas was not rubbing that area and back in the track where it was supposed to be. This would have never been possible without the lateral release. I’ve played ball 5 weeks straight and never felt better. Every case is unique, but I can tell you it was very successful and gave me back something I thought I had lost forever.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:01:20 +0000

Hi I just had lateral release done today. I am 51 and was born with knee tracking problems. I had a procedure done back in the 70′s that is considered barbaric now and that one I have had eight arthroscopies and now due for knee replacement…its trashed. So the right knee was virgin but the tracking got much worse. My surgeon was straight up and said may help may not help. I have been so immobile due to these knee issues I had to do something!!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:34:13 +0000

Hi
I’m another one intrigued to read everyone elses horror stories. I’m a 41 yr old female ex police officer and had my first knee op at only 23 a medial repair, after then I had 6 further ops on both knees, arthroscopys to clear out debria etc. I had my first lateral release in Oct 09 with a private surgeon,this was due to alot of knee pain at the front of my knee and it giving way. It seemed to work and went to all the physio appointments etc,however within 8-9 months I was experiencing pain again in the front lower part of my knee. After seeing one private surgeon who told me to lose weight (5ft 9 weighing 11 stone!!!) and to buy a knee support and to keep applying anti inflammatory gel, i decided to get a second opinion so went back to my orginal surgeon. I hav=d been told by a physion that a second lateral release is very unusual so was not expecting him to do this, however after coming out of surgery in August 11 I found he’d done another. I have to say my paid is now worse tahn before the op and this is now four months on. I can hardly walk up and down stairs, I cannot walk for more than half a mile without being in extreme pain . I now on tramadol as the GP willnot give me any stronger so have to combine these with paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time. I am now waiting for another MRI as my surgeon does not know why I am in still so much paid and unable to fully weight bear on this leg. If only we had hindsight what a wonderful gift that would be!!

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:41:24 +0000

Hi.

I have been suffering with knee problems for 18 years which started whilst i was in the Army. I’ve had 3 operations (keyhole) to sort out/remove cartlidge and been to physio on God knows how many ocassions. The last time i went (11 months ago after my last op) they said that after 18 years of problems, physio would not help.

I’m due back to see the specialist in a few weeks and my knee is getting worse, not better. The last time i saw him he mentioned lateral release so i will see what he says now.

The pain and lack of mobility I suffer is ridiculous for a 39 year old so I’m willing to try anything. Its funny as today I’ve been to see one of the lads i was in the army with as he’s just come home from a partial knee replacement. He had the same symptoms and same amount of ops as me but as he is 50 they would do the op for him but I’m too young.

Let’s hope for a miracle!

By: Kayla

Kayla — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:49:36 +0000

I had a lateral release of the patella this May, and I was back to riding horses 3 to 4 times a week come August 1st… After the surgery I took no pain killers and was walking in about 3 days, but I still had a straight knee brace on. The only reason I couldn’t walk sooner was due to the fact that I had got a nerve block. I did have some swelling but the doctor said it was very normal, and I had great rang o motion the week after. I started physical therapy a week after the surgery and went 2 times a week until the last week in July. I would recommend this surgery to anyone who has knee problems and this could be the answer to you suffering.

By: Rhea

Rhea — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:46:32 +0000

Hi, I had a lateral patella release when I was 15, I am now nearly 29 and I have had no problems at all with my knee since. The recovery took a few months in total but I am so glad that I had it done. All the problems I had before the surgery completely went away!
All the best to everyone on here and good luck! : ) x

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:32:09 +0000

Hi, I thought I would give you the courtesy of my update. I saw a specialist who was obsessed with the fact that my accident was part of a claim. His job was clearly to stop the claim and send me on my way. He said if I go to the gym 4-5 times a week I should be back to normal within another 4-5 months. His attitude was awful and made me feel uncomfortable. I had hoped for specialist advice on the health of my knees! His subsequent report was along the above lines although at the appointment he did say my knees were swollen but omitted this from the report. Anyway, I have noticed that my knees do improve with exercise so I am hoping it is actually not necessary for any surgery, which sounds like it would be a good idea to avoid. I hope I have no future problems with my knees as the specialist seems to think, but I am slightly nervous! I wish you all the very best of health and luck :)

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:12:37 +0000

Hi, thanks for your reply. I am seeing another consultant next week. At least I will have a vague idea what he is talking about at the next appointment. I hope to leave positive comments in the near future, thanx

By: reviewmylife

reviewmylife — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:08:00 +0000

Hi Helen, when I was researching lateral release surgery I did see plenty of positive accounts along with the negative ones.

Don’t forget that people who have negative experiences are likely to be much more vocal in their opinions than the ones who had positive experiences. However as with any surgery, it is good to be informed of the potential risks of the surgery.

My orthopaedic consultant made it sound like a completely risk free procedure.

Good luck with your treatment, and do post another comment to update us on your progress. Would be good to have more positive accounts on here!

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:58:08 +0000

Hi everyone, I am very disappointed and sad at reading most of the comments with bad news about lateral release surgery. I had a motorcycle accident 18 months ago and I was pinning my hopes on this surgery to get my knees back to normal. I am hoping that there are thousands of people who have had successful surgery and have not needed or thought to Google the subject :) Its great that you have pictures of your knees on CD – I saw a quick flash of mine on the specialist’s computer screen and was told a load of things I didnt understand – there were lots of pockets of fluid around my knees – which I assume I still have as they are still swollen. I have had lots of physio and do lots of exercise – I try not to let the discomfort change my life – but if my knees are still swollen, there must be something amiss which needs further attention? Any comments appreciated, Good luck everyone, our knees are very important X