Tuesday, February 26, 2013

MPFL my knee

No that is not some new abbreviation for the next obscenity cliche.  I am writing this for others researching on the web about knee surgery.

When I was in 7th grade I dislocated my patella (knee cap) in gym class.  It was very dramatic-cleared the whole gym of three classes to allow the ambulance to come and get me on a stretcher.  Treatment that time-six weeks in a immobilizing brace and knee strengthening excercises.  Not to mention I go to play ping pong instead of tennis during the brace time at PE class.

When I was in 9th grade, I dislocated the same patella again.  Unlike the first time, my patella moved back in place on its own.  Treatment-six weeks in a immobilizing brace, Physical therapy/knee strengthening exercises.

Fast forward about 15 years.  I now have 2 kids, still trying to keep up with the daily chores of caring for them and the house and....I dislocate my patella again-and although I straightened my leg like I did during the second injury, it did not slide back into place this time.  I had to ride in an ambulance for a second time in my life to the hospital.  By the time they moved me onto 2 beds and made x-rays, the patella did move back into position (despite what the ER physician said)!  Treatment this time: surgery then PT.

At first I was a little in disbelief-really???? surgery???  But after talking with some family friends who were physical therapist and occupational therapist and surgeons, I felt that this actually would make that ligament I have torn three times stronger.  So one month after the third dislocation, I had surgery to graft a ligament onto my MPFL. 

More to come later