Lateral Release on Left Knee

Two months ago I had a lateral release on my left knee. I have been going to P.T. 3x a week. But it seems like it is not getting any better. I walked around an indoor flea market for less than two hours and my knee was the size of a softball or bigger. My whole leg was huge and it felt like my knee was locking up.

Going down stairs is even hard for me it feels like something is twisted in my knee. My thearpist thinks this is normal and my doctors nurse gave me Mobic and cortisone pills to take.

This is my first surgery ever and everyone that I have talked that has had knee surgery says something is wrong and I need my knee looked at again.

Any suggestions.

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Lateral Release on Left Knee

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Aug 08, 2008
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Lateral release recovery can take a long time...
by: Bart - SII

Swelling, pain, popping, catching - all of these things are, unfortunately, common after a lateral release surgery - and they can last for several weeks to 3-4 months after surgery, depending on a lot of different things.

As much as I hate to say it, the lateral release procedure is not the most successful of procedures either. The major reason for this is because it does very well to treat specific conditions of the patella - lateral tilt being the best. It doesn't provide significant improvement for other problems like weak hip/core musculature, biomechanics at the foot, trochlea dysplasia, and many others.

Patella femoral syndrome is such a complicated problem, with so many different factors, that if just one or two of these causes is overlooked, the knee just won't respond.

I would recommend several things - try to avoid aggravating activities - if you do have to be up for extended periods, try using an elastic bandage to provide some compression to the knee and control the swelling.

Make sure your PT is focusing on improving your hip strength - especially your ABDUCTORS and EXTERNAL ROTATORS - if they are only focusing on your quads, talk to them about expanding your program.

Third, make sure that you don't have any other biomechanical issues or problems - good arch supports in your shoes, good mobility in your lower back and hips.

If all of these things are addressed and still not much improvement, then it is time to see your physician again.

Hope this helps - comment back with other questions.

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Aug 08, 2008
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Submitted by: Bart - SII

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Swelling, pain, popping, catching - all of these things are, unfortunately, common after a lateral release surgery - and they can last for several weeks to 3-4 months after surgery, depending on a lot of different things. As much as I hate to say it, the lateral release procedure is not the most successful of procedures either. The major reason for this is because it does very well to treat specific conditions of the patella - lateral tilt being the best. It doesn't provide significant improvement for other problems like weak hip/core musculature, biomechanics at the foot, trochlea dysplasia, and many others. Patella femoral syndrome is such a complicated problem, with so many different factors, that if just one or two of these causes is overlooked, the knee just won't respond. I would recommend several things - try to avoid aggravating activities - if you do have to be up for extended periods, try using an elastic bandage to provide some compression to the knee and control the swelling. Make sure your PT is focusing on improving your hip strength - especially your ABDUCTORS and EXTERNAL ROTATORS - if they are only focusing on your quads, talk to them about expanding your program. Third, make sure that you don't have any other biomechanical issues or problems - good arch supports in your shoes, good mobility in your lower back and hips. If all of these things are addressed and still not much improvement, then it is time to see your physician again. Hope this helps - comment back with other questions.

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