Question - Lateral Release (recovery time)

by Mary
(Talladega, Alabama)

Yesterday i had a lateral release on my right knee. I have 3 incisions on the knee and i didn't get to discuss with the doctor how long i will be out of work or when i can actually put weight on the knee or walk without crutches. I have a mobilizer on my leg and it seems to feel better when i am up moving around on it than sitting with it elevated.

what do you recommend.

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Question - Lateral Release (recovery time)

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May 20, 2008
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Timelines are different for everyone
by: Bart - SII

Every surgeon has their own timelines for different surgeries - so, I can only give you estimates based on my own experiences with my patients.

Most of the time, after a lateral release, my patients are walking without crutches within 2 weeks after the surgery - I get them started on gait training just a few days after surgery. Sometimes they have a brace, other times they just have an elastic bandage with a pad on the outside of their knee.

Most of the time after a lateral release, moving the knee and using it some will make it feel better. And as long as it doesn't increase your pain and swelling, then being up on it some is usually ok. But, if it does increase your pain or swelling, you are probably doing too much.

Make sure you talk to your surgeon to be sure to follow his instructions - if you are unsure, give the office a call and ask all of your questions - thats what they are there for.

Hope this helps - comment back if you have other questions.

Feb 07, 2009
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REHAB FOR A LATERAL RELEASE
by: ROBIN

CAN YOU REHAB ON YOUR OWN WITH YOUR BOOK AFTER A LATERAL RELEASE. IT'S BEEN 12 WEEKS SINCE SURGERY AND STILL HAVE SOME SWELLING AND DISCOMFORT AND CANNOT RUN. I WAS GOING TO A PT (5X) AND DIDN'T SEEM TO BE IMPROVING MUCH FOR THE COST. I CAN WALK, BIKE,USE THE ELLIPTICAL AND LOCK MY KNEE OUT,BUT WANT TO GET BACK TO RUNNING. WAS ADVISED DISCOMFORT WAS COMING FROM SWELLING, WHAT CAN I DO AND IS THIS NORMAL TO TAKE THIS LONG?

Mar 25, 2009
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QUESTION
by: CHRISTINE

Hello i have patellofemoral degeneration in my right knee i have done theriphy 2 times and it is not helping would u recommend sergery for it i go see my doc. soon but i dont know what i want to do??

Jun 13, 2009
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lateral release recovery
by: margaret mcewan

i had lateral release surgory just over 12 weeks ago and had to have MUA just over 1 week ago and i am still really struggling. I cannot weight bear and i am experiencing alot more lateral maltracking since the MUA. I regret the surgery and believe that i could cope with my origional problem of patella subluxation better than i have coped with the after affects of surgery

Oct 14, 2009
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Riding horses after lateral release
by: Anonymous

I am having lateral release surgery tomorrow and I was wondering how long it would be before I can get back to rodeoing

Oct 22, 2009
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Lateral Release problem
by: Anonymous

I had a lateral release on July 24th 2009. I still cant walk without a bad limp. The pain is terrible! I am in physical therapy and it doesnt seem to help. I cant sleep and can barely walk. I just got off of crutches about 3 weeks ago. I wish I hadnt had it done! My doctor did not tell me that this could be the outcome. I dont recommend it. Is it ever going to be normal? I cant even walk up my stairs in my house normally. Any suggestions??

Nov 07, 2009
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Lateral Release
by: Kylie

I had a lateral Release October 15th 2009 and I am still on crutches and have the immobilizer on as the doctor recommended I still have quite a bit of swelling, pain and discomfort also have not been able to bend my knee since before the surgery without it hurting like hell. I go back to the doctors on November 13th so hopefully he will have something good to say. I am nervous that this surgery isn't going to help me at all.

Nov 08, 2009
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Ref Lateral Release
by: Robin

I had my lateral release 1 year ago this month and I'm just starting to be able to run. The most important thing is to rehab as soon as possible. My doctor did not push this and the PT I went to briefly did not push me enough. I'm now training with a trainer at the gym, to strengthen my leg, which I've noticed has helped greatly.

Nov 19, 2009
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Lateral Release
by: Anonymous

I had a lateral release on Nov. 3, 2009 and a little over two weeks later I am walking with just a cane when I go out and am permitted to walk around my house without using it. Still have some swelling and discomfort but not really pain. My doctor told me it would be another few weeks before I would be able to negotiate stairs normally and a couple months before it would be as strong as it was before. I had a 20 year history of patellar dislocation which was the reason for the surgery. Not far enough along yet to say that the surgery was a sucess or not but doctor seems confident it will.

Nov 19, 2009
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Lateral release
by: Anonymous

I had a lateral release June 2 2009 was in horrible pain for three days.I stared therapy twelve weeks later did twenty-five PT visits and feel good but still cant run.I really did all my exercise every day it was really hard. Felt good enough to go back to work three weeks ago. The first day back I was limping in four hours as I stand all day since Im in the building trades. Can make full eight hour days but after the ride home I can barely walk in the house. It hurts like hell but each week the pain is getting lesser. think I should of waited a month or two longer to go back to work. After a full day of rest it feels good again till I go to work so i would take my time going back to work if you stand all day