General: Spode's Knee Surgery

I've had knee issues for the past 3 years, which have been classified by most as Patella Tendonitis. I've been given the run around by several doctors and physios and if anyone remembers - last year I even had a ligament in my ankle intentionally torn and casted up, just to try and help it.

Finally, after constant hounding, I got an MRI. While waiting for the results, I decided to take some time off the bike to see if it helped. I've been off for 2 months and although it's better, it's not perfect. Finally, I went to see the consultant today and he concluded that the tendon itself was fine, but rather it was the infrapatellar fat pad (sometimes known as Hoffa's pad) that was damaged. He felt this was in fact irritating the tendon, causing symptoms of tendonitis.

So what's the plan? I'm having key-hole surgery where they scrape away a certain amount of the fat pad. This should hopefully stop it irritating the tendon and I'll be back on the bike within no time.

I must admit, I'm really quite excited. Removing my knee pain would be really quite life changing and the improvement in my riding would be amazing. When I came out of the cast in November, my riding improved hugely for a small period. As soon as my pain started coming back, it went gradually down hill again.

If all goes well, I'll be having the surgery within the next few weeks and my down time will be very minimal indeed!

Can I get a w007! w007!

Isn't it annoying how you have to badger doctors to get treatment! Keyhole surgery is great, (not that any surgery is desirable if it can be avoided) but you will be up and about extremely quickly. I'm sure that will do the trick and no more knee pain.

I sincerely hope so Spode, living without pain is something most take for granted. I hope you will become one of them.

I guess they wanted to exhaust all other options, and I must admit - even I wasn't convinced an MRI was going to show much up...

Leave my weight out of this! It's muscle! MUSCLE I TELLS YA!

Time for an update here. Have you had the surgery or at least had it scheduled? I know how much it can help to get a little work done. they fixed my shoulder up and only left 3 1/2" scars behind.

Well, It's the 8th of January - so as some of you might have wondered - yes I've had the surgery. Everything went well and they scraped away part of the Hoffa Pad. This in conjunction with the last 3 months of rest for the tendon injury should mean that I'll be back on the bike in no time.

Currently, my knee is swollen with limited movement - but I'm not in any great pain. I have an assortment of pain killers if I do

Everything is at my discretion in terms of driving, gym, riding - but at most it'll be 6 weeks before I'm back to my normal Spode self!

I hope that does the trick, get well soon.

Define "working". LOL. I can walk?

That's great news Bill!

Thanks I wasn't really thinking it was anything much until I saw the picture of the blockage. I thought it was a pulled muscle in the chest.

It's annoying how this works, you get a cat for free and end up paying hundreds of pounds feeding it and keeping it well.!

My "best mate" as a kid broke his patella, he didn't find out until years later after damaging the cartilage playing rugby! He can't remember doing it either, although the X rays show it up quite clearly.
I suppose kids are always hurting themselves, (I was) I guess they don't realise how bad the damage is sometimes. I hope you and the van are 100% very soon.

I had the same feelings when my knee cartilage was repaired, I was sure it would give way when I was walking without a frame. When it didn't my confidence very soon returned. you'll soon be better than before Spode.

ALOL!

Being just slightly paranoid, I sometimes don't dare comment on things here, but Spodey, it just seems you might have lost a little sense of humour along the way. We do all love you really. I did of course mean your knee, after all we know you're perfect any way.