Comments on: Patellar Clunk Syndrome: Complication Following Knee Replacement Surgery

By: John Reeves

John Reeves — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:04:39 +0000

You have my sympathy Gayle. Have you had the clunking from the beginning? I have, and am still being told by the NHS consultant that it is normal. I am going to get a formal 2nd opinion from a private knee expert. I believe something was not done correctlly in the operation – possibly a misalignment.

Anyway, Gayle, I believe the clunk syndrome happens for some people after the prosthesis has been in for quite a while, not from day 1 after the operation. For normal syndrome sufferers, the bone starts to overgrow the prosthesis, over time, making a ’spur’ which then rubs on the patella – hence the clunk. The normal clunk syndrome does not apply to new TKRs – that’s why I’m not happy.

Good Luck. I’ll write again once I’ve had my expert opinion.

Cheers, John

By: gayle helms

gayle helms — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:03:56 +0000

Hi my name is gayle helms.and Im looking for some help to understand more about petalla clunk syndrome.Is it caused due to surgical error or5 what I have been so miss lead about whats wrong with my new knee I am totaly confused .Iv been to several different doctors since I developed this problem and no one would tell me whats realy wrong with it only that I had to choses I could have it operated on or live with the pain,until i call one doctors office and talked with a doctors assistant who exaimaided me almost a year earlier and told me I had ben diagnosed with petalla clunk syndrome and that was the first time any one actully told me what was in fact wrong with my new knee. the knee cap showes to be tilted and rubbing on the prostieses. I also need to know what its going to take to fix it

By: John Reeves

John Reeves — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:56:36 +0000

I had TKR 10 weeks ago and have had clunking whilst walking from the beginning but its been getting slowly worse. Its now audible. I return to see the consultant in coming weeks (NHS timescales). Is there a likelyhood of needing the patella (re)-lining. Is it keyhole surgery. What else might it be? I dont fancy major surgery again – the recovery was hell. I wish I’d kept the old knee.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

By: Brian Gregory

Brian Gregory — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:39:29 +0000

Greetings,

In these though economic times, having a knee replacement is becoming less and less accessible.
One of the viable alternatives have been to get surgery done abroad. In fact, the price drop can be as much as 70 to 80%, when having your surgery performed in Morocco, while keeping a high standard of quality of care.

You would ask why? Because mainly, cost of the life in Morocco is cut in half compared to Europe or North America.

Let me introduce to you Knee replacement surgery in Morocco:

Performed by Certified Surgeons:

All of our surgeons, have had their training in the U.S. and Western Europe. They have more than 15 years experience including international practice.
Meet our orthopedic surgeon, Dr Ali El Kohen, his international experience encompasses practice in Insall Scott Kelly Institute for Orthopaedics at Beth Israel Medical in New York as well as an AO-Fellowship at the Harvard Medical School.

Stay in Quality Accommodations

We work with some of the best rated hotels in Morocco, known for their quality of service and hospitality. Riad Salam is a sea side hotel, where you would meet with a superior quality of life and a refreshing ocean air.

In Accredited Medical Centers
All the private hospitals, that we work with, have international accreditations. This requirement ensures that our patients will always receive their surgery in the best possible conditions, very similar to what can be found in North America and Western Europe.

By: Karen DeWitt

Karen DeWitt — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 04:34:22 +0000

I am now 9 days from my bilateral lesser invasive knee replacement surgery and so far I must say it has been a great experience. I am turning 50 this year and was dealt some bad genes, family history of osteo arthritis. I have also been a very active athlete my entire life. The most difficult thing was being confident that now was the time to do the surgery. My surgeon said that in light of how long knees last now (about 22 years) I should not wait until I am suffering. Although I have continued to work out up to the date of surgery (swim, weight train, eliptical machine, biking and spinning classes) I have not been able to run, golf, and play other sports I always enjoyed for more than 8 years. Over the past year, stairs and walking became more and more painful and as I worked out I could feel there was very little, if any cartilidge remaining in my joints. I am thankful that I keep my legs strong and did all I could to stay physically active, I feel this has been critical to my quick recovery. After surgery my doctor did say that there was next to nothing left of my patella and that the joint was bone on bone. I know if I had not been in such good physical condition I would have felt much more negative affects of my arthritis. Today, 9 days post surgery, I am walking slowly, but can do so without a cane. I already am at 95 degrees flex and 6 degree to straight. My doctor uses a lesser invasive technique, this was also critical to a speedy recovery. My doctor said when all is said and done I will have no restrictions and should be able to enjoy the sports I have been missing over the past decade. More importantly I will not have pain as I walk and go about my daily living.

I would like to encourage other people out there to work to keep your legs strong, this will always help you continue to function on a daily bases as well as feel fewer affects of your arthritis. Weight train, swim, cycle. Secondly, consider lesser invasive or minimally invasive total knee replacement surgery. I chose bilateral because I was physically fit and I did not want to spend two summers recovery and returning to all the things I have missed. I would do bilateral all over again. Thanks to my surgeon I am on my way back to an active life style!!

By: Penny ODonnell

Penny ODonnell — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:39:53 +0000

So how is patellar clink syndrom diagnosed and what is the treatment for it?

I had TKAs three months ago, and for most of the time since then I have sharp pain whenever my right knee is released after it has been flexed. A typical scenario is sitting in a chair with my foot under me on the floor. When I move my foot forward extending the knee there is sharp pain, a catching feeling.

By: rajoo6

rajoo6 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:21:07 +0000

nice and impressive presentation. cheers!