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Fulkerson surgery for dislocating knee caps!!

(6 discussions)

Does anyone have any information on this procedure…though im not sure I want to hear about bad stuff.
I’ve only found a few not so good tales of peoples experiences with Fulkerson surgeries.
Though im a firm beleiver of the bad news spreads 100 times more than good news saying.
I’ve just been advised today by my ortho that I need this and the lateral release on both my knees, starting with the right. Any information at all would help me out. Like recovery time, pain, does it work for short-term AND long-term??? Or will I have to be overhauled in a few years? Hehe?


6 comments

    May PT

    9 10

    Check out this website…you may find what your looking for. Good luck…Mya PT
    https://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/knee-dictionary/fulkerson-procedure

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    9 10

    Thanks Mya!! That made my anxiety about the procedure a little less severe. I’m sure I’m worrying a lot more than I need to, but cutting the bones and moving them around would sound radical to anyone right? I appreciate the feedback, and the quick response!

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    9 10

    what about scars? I’m gettting one toooo!

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      9 10

      About rehabilitaion after Fulkerson osteotomyI’m a physical therapist in Japan. I think that Fulkerson procedure has the same meaning as to make fracture artificially at tibial tuberosity (i.e. just below the attachment site of the patellar tendon). Even isometric exercise such as patellar setting and SLR or tonic muscle reaction to the pain induced by passive ROM-ex., contraction of quadriceps will cause no small shear stress to the surgical region only fixed by screws. In the early stage of the recovery such stress will probably play a part for delayed union and persistent pain later. I usually advice my junior partners not to execute patellar setting or SLR-ex. and to treat carefully when passively flexed : hold gently near the knee joint and gently press the belly of quad. muscle toward distal as to cancel the muscle tension which may cause shear stress.To preserve muscle function, active assistive knee flexion-extension exercise is executed with prudent support as to transform all of the muscle force into joint movement.Early partial weight bearing is rather recommended because adequate weight bearing will promote bone remodeling and prevent bone atrophy of the extremity.Off course, mechanical load for the therapy is increased gradually.It’s my private opinion, but I think most of surgeon and PT has too much confidence for internal fixation.

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    9 10

    I have had issues with both knees. I had the fulkerson done on both knees 1995. I just had this done again on my left knee Sept 08. I am not having a good time to recover. 5 months and I am still on crutches. The scare is about 7 inch long. The main issue I am having is it is not tracking right. anytime I bend the knee especially with weight I get the worst pain on the inside of the knee along with a pop/grind. It is bad. I am in PT and that is not going so well because the exercises they want me to do hurt so bad. I would have thought that I would have been better by know. I am not sure what I can do at this point. This surgury has effected every part of my life.. Kids sports games.. work.. mental.. my poor husband having to really do most of my part.. Any suggestions if anyone has had the same issue?

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    9 10

    I have also been advised by my Ortho that I need to have the Fulkerson surgery on my left knee. I see that there are physical therapy alternatives to the surgical. Any advise on the issue is greatly appreciated

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