What is Distal Realignment Procedures?
Distal realignment procedures, also known as TTT or Tibial Tubercle Transfer procedures, are performed to reposition the kneecap by realigning the tendon under the kneecap to the underlying tibial tubercle. The tibial tubercle is the bony lump on the tibia (the bone in the lower leg) below the kneecap, which serves as an attachment point for the patellar ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These procedures are done to prevent patellar subluxation or dislocation.
Recovery Time for Distal Realignment Surgery
The recovery time for patellar tendon surgery depends on the severity of the tear, the type of surgery performed, and your lifestyle. It typically takes 6-12 months to fully recover from this surgery. After the surgery, your knee will be immobilized in a brace or cast for the first few weeks. It’s important to note that complete recovery from Knee Replacement Surgery may take several months. During the recovery period, you must take precautions to avoid falls since a fall can damage the new joint. Your therapist may suggest using an assistive device such as a cane or walker to help you walk until your strength and balance improve.
What are the Knee Cap Surgery Complications?
Medialization-lowering of the anterior tuberosity (Elmslie-Trillat) is a well-codified procedure. The Elmslie-Trillat procedure is a dependable and efficient technique that is used to stabilize the patella towards the middle. This approach is recommended for treating symptomatic lateral instability of the patella, which can be caused by excessive Q angle, bony malalignment, or both, leading to an increased trochlea-tubercle distance.
However, certain complications can occur:
Infection is a rare complication, but it may require surgical cleaning of the operating site and long antibiotic treatment if it is an infection that affects the tuberosity osteotomy site where the screws are located.
The vascular-nervous risk exists because the vessels and nerves are located behind the joint, and there is a potential risk of injury when installing the screws.
Phlebitis can also occur after the procedure, which justifies anticoagulant treatment for 21 days after the procedure.
Pseudarthrosis is the non-union of the tibial tuberosity after 6 months.
It is scarce (less than 1%), and to minimize this risk, the splint must be kept on for 45 days, day and night.
Bruising is common. Keep the compression stockings on during the first postoperative month and ice the knee to minimize them.
Pain is not a complication. It is moderate but present a few days after the intervention. In principle, pain at rest is absent when leaving the clinic 3 days after the procedure.
Mobility problems: rehabilitation is essential so that there is no extension deficit after the intervention and that the loss of flexion is as limited as possible (often absent) so as not to interfere with daily activities and sports.
Failure, i.e., a new dislocation, may occur. This mainly concerns central dysplasia of the extensor apparatus. Otherwise, this risk is rare.
Postoperative rehabilitation and return to activities
- The day after or the same day of the intervention, the physiotherapist stands you up and helps you walk.
- Canes are helpful for the first few days and are quickly abandoned.
- Normal walking occurs in the following days.
- Getting back behind the wheel is possible after 15 days.
- Support generally occurs after 1 month; depending on your profession, an office activity may be earlier.
- Sports activities begin gradually between the 2nd and 3rd month.
What are the steps post-tibial transposition?
- The day after or the same day of the intervention, the physiotherapist stands you up and helps you walk.
- Canes are helpful for the first 4 weeks.
- A splint must be kept for the first 6 weeks.
- Normal walking occurs in the following days.
- Getting back behind the wheel is possible after the 2nd month.
- That of work also occurs after the 2nd month; depending on your profession, an office activity may be earlier.
- Sports activities begin gradually after the 3rd month.
Advanced Robotic Post Knee Cap procedures
Here comes Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL, CYBERDYNE), the world’s first advanced Neurobotic application that speeds up recovery.
The Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) is a wearable robot that assists patients with walking, standing, and performing leg movements based on the user’s intended movement. We’re excited to share that our study will assess how HAL training can positively impact the walking ability, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength of patients who have undergone kneecap surgery or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. We hope to shed light on the potential benefits of this training method for those in need. It removes the waiting period of conventional practices.
Talk to our doctors and understand more about HAL from Cyberdyne to ensure you walk again soon.
Email Id: info@bestneurocare.com
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References:
Patellar Tendon Surgery Recovery Time – Dr. Mehta, San Jose.
