Joseph's Story - MPFL Reconstruction and Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy Surgery

Joseph discusses a skiing accident that led him to see Dr. Sabrina Strickland for an MPFL Reconstruction and Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy Surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Patella (Kneecap) Instability
In the front of the knee the kneecap slides up and down in a groove in the thigh bone. Sometimes it can slip out causing pain, swelling and cartilage injury.

How does it feel?
It can feel unstable and in severe cases it can be difficult to fully extend the knee. Sometimes patients have to go to the ER to get the patella back into the groove. Often these injuries are accompanied by swelling and it can take weeks to months to feel normal again.

How does it happen?
In some patients it happens without any trauma and at a young age. In others it can occur playing sports with or without a contact injury. It can recur especially when it first happens before the age of 25.

How can it be fixed?
In most cases it can be fixed by reconstructing the MPFL (Medial PatelloFemoral Ligament) which is a minimally invasive surgery with a 4-6 month recovery. In patients who have suffered cartilage damage the surgery may be more complicated with the addition of a bone re-aligning surgery such as a tibial tubercle osteotomy and/or a cartilage replacement surgery.

[Gem]

I had this surgery 7weeks ago, still not able to bend me knee to 90 degrees its a bit tight. I've heard good recovery stories and I'm hoping and praying it will be the same for me.So I'm going to leave this comment here. For every like I get, it will remind me of how far I've come.
There's not so much info about this type of surgery but for everyone who's going through this .... We got this💪

[coloradorefrigerated]

I doubt youll see this tonight Im 38 had this issue since 8th grade its calmed down since Ive been in my 30s due to not playing sports. The new dr i have when i went to ask for a knee replacement due to the amount of arthrise pain i get at night that keeps me up at night they suggested this. Im mot sure this is the correct procedure for the up all-night type of pain i have due to arthritis and maybe the way my knees dont move in the groves because im very knock knee. Im just nervous and hoping im doing the right thing because both knees will need to be done.

[kevinlalik]

Had Both knees done left 3years ago and right 9 weeks ago range of movement is great but muscles are still weak and I’m noticing pain when knee is straight and I flex it

[parkerlynn]

I am 15 and I have the exact same problem from when I dislocated my kneecap as my MPFL is torn and I have the patella Alta. I am getting surgery for my MPFL but I can’t get surgery for my patella Alta until I am fully grown which would be 3-4 years.