Knee Op - Lateral Release...is it worth it?

Lateral releases are debatable; but without seeing you no-one can correctly advise. I woud say find a private physio and book a consulation - it all depends on how severe the detoriation is.

Surgery should only be considered as an option when a conservative management strategy has been unsuccessful an a good surgeon will always advocate a conservative strategy rather than do unnecessary surgery.

As d.robbins said you should consult a qualified health proffesional (physio,sports rehabilitator,sports therapist,athletic trainer etc)

If after a period of rehab you are in no better shape then surgery may be your only option.

The best person to discuss surgical options with is an orthopaedic consultant they do surgery day in day out.

Rehabuk

Cheers guys. Thanks for the replies.

I have had numerous years of physio, and only recently was put on a 12 week course to try to stretch out my lateral thigh muscle. That hasn't seemed to help the situation.
I did consult an ortho surgeon a couple of years ago who did mention the surgery, but opted for physio.
My recent visit with the ortho clinic again suggested the physio course, and last week I had a follow up consultation with the ortho clinic (following the physio course) and they have now suggested the lateral release.

I suppose they feel that it is now time for surgery.

As I said, thanks for the replies. I just wanted a perspective from someone who had went through the op (you know what surgeons are like, they never give a straight answer! I know they can't give any guarantees, or predict what will happen)

You may have already chosen surgery because physio did not help. But did you consult a good clinical massage therapist. There is a good possibility that the problem is in your hip. It could be a shortened psoas, creating a leg length discrepancy. It could be some of the smaller hip flexor muscles, causing your foot fall to be different on either side. There could also be scar tissue involved from the earlier healing process.

I would suggest you try any service - massage, chiropractic - to assure your body is in normal alignment. Misaligned bodies can create real issues.

I think we have to remember that when there is a issue with one joint, the culprit is most likely the joint above the problem. In this case, the hip joint is above the knee joint.

You could also have a weakened core, limiting your pillar strength.

Dont forget the joint below!!!!

Mass,momentum and gravity influence the body from the bottom up as well as the top down!.

Rehabuk

Hi There.
Ive only just joined the forum, so my reply might be a little late.
I have had two lateral releases, one on each knee. One 14 years ago when I was in my early twenties and the other 4 years ago. I was the usual candidate, knock kneed and a very experienced runner.
I recovered well from both ops and had to complete very intensive physio.
I can say that at the time the ops enabled me to carry on running for several years. Unfortunately, i may need further surgery as both my knees have packed in, I'm on crutches and very immobile, further releases have been mentioned!!!
I presume that you have possibly had the surgery by now. Try to find out if you have arthritis at the back of your knee. This may cause you problems in future. You may always have problems with climbing stairs, driving and certain twisting movements of your knees.
Take care of them but carry on with sports if you can.
Regards,
Jules.

Hi
I had a lateral release a year and a half ago and it was the best thing I have ever done, it has completly changed my life. My recovery took about 4 weeks to be really up and about and 1 year until i could get back into sports. I have put a bit of weight on from not exercising but tha is the worst thing that has happened. I am a rock climber and a dancer and I can now do these things again. In a year or two I am going to get the other knee done. Go for it

I had a lateral release last September after 3 years of constant knee pain that finally left me unable to ski, run, bike, climb stairs, perform squats or lunges or even walk very far without pain. I was into a lot of sports and it was pretty depressing that I couldn't participate any longer. After surgery, a week at home resting and 8 weeks of physical therapy I felt great. No more knee pain.. except in the other knee. I had that one operated on 4 days before Christmas and hope to have the same great result. I was actually able to ski one day on my repaired knee before the second surgery and it felt wonderful. It was a blessing to have no pain after a day of skiing (in one knee). The other one made me regret that one day of skiing! Ouch!!
I'm in my mid 30s and apparently this condition I have is hereditary. My patellas were so far out on the lateral aspect of my knees that there is no wonder it was painful. I'm glad it was a relatively simple fix and I look forward to regaining my active life.

Hi All

I had lateral release done in both my knees in October 2007 to correct the tracking of my patella. I'd been having really bad pain after sports and some days I couldn't even climb stairs. We presume they'd been well out for long while as the damage that my surgeon discovered was extensive. I'm 31 years old and have been playing netball and rounders weekly for 20 years.

I needed 6 weeks off work after the op and have been attending physio sessions ever since. I have my own little session at home every day too, which my therapist has tailor made for me. I've been really strict with myself and she is exstatic with my progress so far, but I'm not. I'm very impatient !

I have good days and bad days. I'm climbing and descending stairs quicker now,(not pain free) and I also suffer after wearing heels, after driving long distance and if I've generally been doing too much activity of any kind.

My surgeon has told me I have grade 3 osteoarthritis in both knees now and that my netball days are over. I'm taking glucosamine and chondroitin liquid to try and help symptoms.

I'm hoping to return to rounders this season (April) but the thought of running is a bit of a joke for me at the moment.

Anyone had similar and what can I expect for the future folks ?

All advice encouragement welcome. I'm really down !

x