Post ACL 10 Years - More Issues

by Andrew
(Atlanta)

I had ACL reconstruction in 2002 using my patellar tendon as the graft.

Five years ago I ruptured my Achilles tendon and during PT, I started feeling pain at the grafted patellar tendon.

I used a cho-pat strap and it did initially help, but over the next year or two a large spur began to grow under the tendon from the patella itself. Initially it was not a problem but over time the pain became increasing worse not only at the anterior aspect of the patellar tendon, but also at the site of the spur.

After all the conservative treatment you can think of (3 rounds of PT, voltaren, ice, etc.), my doctor recommended debridement surgery and removal of the spur in September of 2010.

He told me the spur will not grow back and I will have a new knee in 3-4 months.

He was right, I have a new knee - a much worse, more painful new knee.

Initially the pain was great, but after doing intense PT at the 3 month mark, the spur grew back bigger and more painful than before and I am now worse off.

I have had a 3D CT scan, MRI and I am going to have a bone scan today to see if the spur is done growing.

The CT scan showed 2 large spurs and a very inflamed patellar tendon (the mri confimed this as well).

I a going to multiple doctors with my test results not only locally, but I am planning on going to some doctors around the country for opinions as well. I need to make sure this next procedure fixes this once and for all.

Please comment if you have had a similar issue because I can not find any information out there even close to what I am going through.

Thanks.

Andrew