Kneecap Stabilisation
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Indication For Surgery
Patella (kneecap) stabilisation surgery is used to treat recurrent patella dislocation or instability. It is typically indicated after a period of non-operative treatment with strapping, bracing, taping and physiotherapy.
Surgery Description
Once you are asleep a thorough evaluation of your knee is performed using key-hole techniques (arthroscopy) to thoroughly evaluate your cartilage, and the structure of your knee. Once the decision to perform the ligament reconstruction is performed a hamstring tendon is harvested through a small incision on the inside of the knee.
The bone that the patella tendon attaches to may also need to be repositioned. This is called a Tibial Tuberosity Distillisation procedure. Surgeons at Bone and Joint are sub-specialty trained in these techniques.
Associated Procedures
If cartilage problems are found due to your dislocation, then this may need to be treated at the time of the operation. Simple procedures such as smoothing out the cartilage (chondroplasty), cartilage stimulation techniques (microfracture), or cartilage grafting may be required and will typically be performed at the same time as the stabilisation procedure.
Post-operative management
Discharge home
After your surgery you will stay in recovery until you can sit up and safely begin to move around. You will normally need to spend at least one night in hospital. When you are comfortable you can be discharged home with pain relief tablets. Often you will require a knee splint:
Pain relief
After surgery it is normal to have some pain or discomfort. The amount of surgery you have had will influence how much pain you can expect and how long you will need pain relief for. You will be given pain relief tablets to take home with you when you leave the hospital. Take these over the next to take for two or three days as you need.
Looking after the bandage
There will be a dressing over the surgical incision on the front of the knee. You will have a white soft bandage and then a crepe bandage over this. This helps to keep compression on the knee as it heals.
You will need to keep the bandage clean and dry. The Crepe and Soft Bandage can come off when they get loose. You may want to re-wrap your knee, otherwise you can discard these bandages. Keep the dressings that cover your wounds dry for the first 2 weeks. Keep the Zimmer knee splint on when walking and sleeping.
Movement after surgery
You can move your foot, ankle and hip straight away after surgery. Your knee will slowly be able to bend in the days that follow your operation.
Often a hinged knee brace will be applied to stop the knee bending too much. It is a good idea to keep moving even after your surgery, it helps your blood circulation and stops your body getting too weak. Avoid any strenuous activity for the first 2 weeks, but gentle walking and exercise is helpful.
When you are resting or sleeping try to keep the leg straight and elevated on some pillows.
Wound review
After 2 weeks you will have an appointment with specialist to have your wound checked, any stitches will be removed. The team at Victorian Bone and Joint will then give you advice on exercises and physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy may be needed to get your knee moving and strong again, but do not start this until you have had your appointment with you specialist at 2 weeks.
Driving
You cannot drive until you have had your first review appointment with your surgeon. They will give you an indication then when you are likely to be able to drive again
Returning to work
This depends on the type of work you do. Most surgeries will need 4-6 weeks off work, some will require longer, especially if you have a manual job.
When to contact us
If you have any of these problems, please call the rooms on 03 5752 5020
Fever
Heavy bleeding or ooze from the wound
Increased swelling and redness around the surgery site
Pain in the calf muscles or difficulty breathing
