Calling all knee gurus | Vital Football

Calling all knee gurus

L

Littlest Hobo

Vital 1st Team Regular
Well it looks like this is the next step

http://www.cumbriankneeclinic.co.uk/distal-femoral-osteotomy.html

Having gone through a fully ruptured patella tendon, followed by lateral release on the right I am now trying to get the left knee addressed.

I had the arthroscopy bit about 6mths ago and tbh it hasn't changed anything. Following a load of xrays and scans you can see how the outside of my knee unfortunately has to bear the brunt of the work due to my crappy genes. My dad has a plastic knee, my younger brother has had dodgy knees and my older brother has had this exact op. This op will help take the load off the outside of my knee etc.

I know there are quite a few on here with knee issues so thought this might make interesting reading rather than the usual grafts and clean ups they usually perform. I am being told that regardless of what they do, unless they do this I will just wear my way through it in the end.

He even mentioned knee replacement. I am active 39yrs old ffs!!!!
 
Oh and the consultant brought up my brothers xrays and compared them. Amazingly similar bone structure around the knees/legs.
 
All I can do is wish you every bit of luck for a speedy recovery after the op(s)!

Knees are the most badly designed part of the human body - if I could, I'd demand a refund !!
 
Thanks Ex. Havent got the date for it yet so its a case of waiting for the letter to come.

In the meantime I have done so little exercise I almost felt like a fraud telling the consultant about the pain I get from exercise. I even did a couple of park runs recently (5km) to remind myself. Managed the first and half the second (Fitness and pain issues). Still felt a bit of a fraud as the pain wasn't 'that' bad.

That was until football training for the kids last night. Felt good so went in goals for some shooting exercises. Then went in goal for the game at the end. I can hardly walk today. Knee is wrecked. I don't need to remind myself anymore, its got to be fixed.

 
You have my sympathy 'Hobo'. I hope things go well for you. Having genes against you is a bit of a b*****d. I know many don't have access to the funds but is this private treatment? My attitude (provided that funds are not the problem) would be to pay for an expert and get the best you can.

I don't agree with 'EX' though, the body's 'design' is fantastic (I'm a big fan, just look at Kathryn Jenkins). The individual problems in families are the exceptions (unfortunately for you). But chin up, something will come good, I'm sure. All the best.
 
Hi Welshtel,

No its not private although fortunately (or unfortunately) due to the relatively rare tendon injury I had my local infirmary has been fantastic. They had an experimental treatment in place for my right knee within 30mins of arriving. They had to taxi the 'bit' they needed from Leeds whilst I was being prepared for surgery. Since that day I only need to mention pain and I get seen by the same consultant. I am always having to fill in reports regarding progress and tbh I couldn't thank them enough for my right knee.

Left knee is pure and simple wear and tear and genes. TBH I think that's what caused the right one to snap as I played for 2yrs loaded up with painkillers. The guy in the link is basically the top guy in the area and is nationally regarded as one of the best (Its his specialist subject). I could pay for it but it would be the same guy doing the same op about 3mls down the road.

I know hospitals etc get bad press but I cant complain about the service I have recived
 
When i did my knee, relocation of the knee cap coupled with fraying of the pad thingy and degeneration of the cartilage. The doctor said that until the pad fully snapped, which would then require surgery, the best thing i could do was just do leg days continuously at the gym. Not sure how that will help with your tendon issues, but the less strain on the actual knee (Which is accomplished by building the leg muscle), the fewer issues you would experience with the knee.

Worked well until i started getting shin splints.

I hate my legs.
 
zzz - 18/1/2015 14:18

When i did my knee, relocation of the knee cap coupled with fraying of the pad thingy and degeneration of the cartilage. The doctor said that until the pad fully snapped, which would then require surgery, the best thing i could do was just do leg days continuously at the gym. Not sure how that will help with your tendon issues, but the less strain on the actual knee (Which is accomplished by building the leg muscle), the fewer issues you would experience with the knee.

Worked well until i started getting shin splints.

I hate my legs.
Click to expand...

I can't quite recall, where you in the army when it happened or hoping to go in? The future son-law has only just managed to get into Sandhurst after being sponsored/paid through his college and the Uni at their expense - as he had a ligament that snapped playing Rugby, they put their whole policy of allowing anyone in who had ever had any sort of knee op and weren't going to let him in. The upside to that is that they would have written off all his Uni fees in one go - is that what happened to you?
 
Spursex - 19/1/2015 12:31

zzz - 18/1/2015 14:18

When i did my knee, relocation of the knee cap coupled with fraying of the pad thingy and degeneration of the cartilage. The doctor said that until the pad fully snapped, which would then require surgery, the best thing i could do was just do leg days continuously at the gym. Not sure how that will help with your tendon issues, but the less strain on the actual knee (Which is accomplished by building the leg muscle), the fewer issues you would experience with the knee.

Worked well until i started getting shin splints.

I hate my legs.
Click to expand...

I can't quite recall, where you in the army when it happened or hoping to go in? The future son-law has only just managed to get into Sandhurst after being sponsored/paid through his college and the Uni at their expense - as he had a ligament that snapped playing Rugby, they put their whole policy of allowing anyone in who had ever had any sort of knee op and weren't going to let him in. The upside to that is that they would have written off all his Uni fees in one go - is that what happened to you?
Click to expand...

I did my knee in while on exercise at Sandhurst.

They did make an effort to pick up on anything on one of the many pre enlistment visits. Felt a twinge at one medical and was immediately sent to a physio's. Got differed for six months to build mobility on it. So it is a massive thing that they look out for. They have been hot on it for over a decade from personal experience.

Though after i had my accident while on exercise they sent me to a specialist in Ascot, who took one look at my scans and told me i should be able to lead a normal life (Did say that something in my knee could go at any time) but i couldn't weight carry anymore. Was a very short wait for the Army to sign medical discharge papers after that.

If he can make it through Sandhurst with his knee, i doubt he will have much of a problem with his knee during the rest of his career in the army.

I think that the fact he had a bursary definitely helped in his favour. I had a friend who nearly died from a heat injury and he had a bursary having passed through Welbeck military College, and they took ages to let him leave even though he couldn't do the work.
 
Thanks ZZZ, seems they put him through it as well - they deferred his intake for 3 months from Oct to Jan this year but only after he'd been through 3 army doctors and one specialist up north somewhere (Doncaster?) before they'd agree to let him in...

I think he went to Welbeck as well and then they paid/sponsored him through his degree.

Did you get any comp for doing it whilst going through training, or was it thanks, but no thanks and on your way?
 
Spursex - 20/1/2015 08:33


Did you get any comp for doing it whilst going through training, or was it thanks, but no thanks and on your way?
Click to expand...

That's a funny story also.

Surgery was a stipulation of being awarded compensation for the state of my knee. The specialist said that it could improve my knee and reduce the chances of future problems, but the senior medical officer never answered any of my requests to explore the option.

The senior medical officer stopped responding to my requests to get an MRI on my other knee also, which i had previously had an incident on which required me to wear a metal brace for two months. I actually had my CO pull me into his office and specifically told me not to try and get in contact with him again.

I think they were well aware that the surgery route would have opened themselves up for having to shell out compensation as well as extend my service as they hold you till you have reached a certain stage in recuperation.

At the end of the day, while the compensation would have been VERY beneficial, having been shipped backwards and forwards around the place that the lads from Afgan went to after traumatic incidents, i know there are people that need that money far more than i do.

Just would have been nice to know there is little chance my knee wont give out in the future.
 
Real Deal - 20/1/2015 18:22

Your a class act zzz. I would have been gunning for the compensation, Levy style. ;-)
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lol at the time if i had been given comp, i wouldn't have thought twice about it. But after you get angry and think why you're pissed, you don't stay angry very long. I think most people would go through a very similar process.

Granted if it had happened in any other line of work i would have been such a pain in the ass for my employer
 
Hats off to you zzz. Must admit that after the journey I have been on with knees (Writing off the last 4-5yrs) money doesn't really come into things. Asume that may be why you can move on so easily. Must admit the 'refusal' of the MRI scan and being told to back off would piss me off more. Money can come and go but your health is not for some dickhead to pick and choose
 
zzz - 20/1/2015 17:20

Spursex - 20/1/2015 08:33


Did you get any comp for doing it whilst going through training, or was it thanks, but no thanks and on your way?
Click to expand...

That's a funny story also.

Surgery was a stipulation of being awarded compensation for the state of my knee. The specialist said that it could improve my knee and reduce the chances of future problems, but the senior medical officer never answered any of my requests to explore the option.

The senior medical officer stopped responding to my requests to get an MRI on my other knee also, which i had previously had an incident on which required me to wear a metal brace for two months. I actually had my CO pull me into his office and specifically told me not to try and get in contact with him again.

I think they were well aware that the surgery route would have opened themselves up for having to shell out compensation as well as extend my service as they hold you till you have reached a certain stage in recuperation.

At the end of the day, while the compensation would have been VERY beneficial, having been shipped backwards and forwards around the place that the lads from Afgan went to after traumatic incidents, i know there are people that need that money far more than i do.

Just would have been nice to know there is little chance my knee wont give out in the future.
Click to expand...

Well done ZZZ.

That's honour and dignity all rolled up into one.

I perhaps appreciate it more as I've contributed/fund raised and helped ex-serviceman at one of the rehab centres for years now - and their treatment, support both mental and financial long term leaves a lot to be desired.

:1: :1: :1: :1:
 
Spursex - 21/1/2015 14:05

zzz - 20/1/2015 17:20

Spursex - 20/1/2015 08:33


Did you get any comp for doing it whilst going through training, or was it thanks, but no thanks and on your way?
Click to expand...

That's a funny story also.

Surgery was a stipulation of being awarded compensation for the state of my knee. The specialist said that it could improve my knee and reduce the chances of future problems, but the senior medical officer never answered any of my requests to explore the option.

The senior medical officer stopped responding to my requests to get an MRI on my other knee also, which i had previously had an incident on which required me to wear a metal brace for two months. I actually had my CO pull me into his office and specifically told me not to try and get in contact with him again.

I think they were well aware that the surgery route would have opened themselves up for having to shell out compensation as well as extend my service as they hold you till you have reached a certain stage in recuperation.

At the end of the day, while the compensation would have been VERY beneficial, having been shipped backwards and forwards around the place that the lads from Afgan went to after traumatic incidents, i know there are people that need that money far more than i do.

Just would have been nice to know there is little chance my knee wont give out in the future.
Click to expand...

Well done ZZZ.

That's honour and dignity all rolled up into one.

I perhaps appreciate it more as I've contributed/fund raised and helped ex-serviceman at one of the rehab centres for years now - and their treatment, support both mental and financial long term leaves a lot to be desired.

:1: :1: :1: :1:
Click to expand...

It's really good to know there are people like you out there ex who sacrifice your time and effort. Like you have done, it's often someone offering their time and assistance that can make the most impact on a lot of service mens lives.

A great military charity is the VA.

A massive amount of servicemen who leave have real trouble adapting to civilian life. It's why a great proportion of homeless men are ex military personal. It's just such an alien thing for them not to have orders telling them where they have to be, at what time and what they have to do. They get lost and things pass them by and they find themselves in dire straights.

VA acts much like their chain of command and pretty much organises them and offers financial assistance. They get assistance in looking for work and given "orders" on what they need for the interview, how to get there, accomodation if they need it, timings ect... It feels natural for them as it's what they have been used to for a massive part of their lives and they can perform at their best ability.

They also pay close attention to PTSD and can offer counciling and support in that manner.

Having gone through the armies transition procedures i can tell you it leaves a lot to be desired. Like most things it's out sourced and personally i found little use out of it. I still get emails from them asking to do surveys and when objectively looking on how much they influenced where i ended up, they didn't do anything.

With all these redundancies currently happening, i think big industry is missing a beat, not snapping up a lot of these guys. I know BT are all over getting anyone coming out of signals or the engineers. Their work rate is immense due to the standards that they are use to and your productivity goes way up.
 
Littlest Hobo - 21/1/2015 13:18

Hats off to you zzz. Must admit that after the journey I have been on with knees (Writing off the last 4-5yrs) money doesn't really come into things. Asume that may be why you can move on so easily. Must admit the 'refusal' of the MRI scan and being told to back off would piss me off more. Money can come and go but your health is not for some dickhead to pick and choose
Click to expand...

I think i'm definitely quite fortunate compared to yourself and ex's conditions, as mine isn't as bad and i have done it while i'm still quite young.

It has been very much a case of a short term problem (Bed bound for two weeks, crutches for 3 months and strong pain killers for about 5. Though knowing that people such as yourself have to live it for longer has made me uneasy about my future and deeply sympathetic to anyone who has any issues with their knee's. It's just the not knowing that bums you out. Them not agreeing to fixing the problem or properly identifying all the issues just made it worst.

I really hope you get it sorted.
 
zzz - 22/1/2015 22:45

Spursex - 21/1/2015 14:05

zzz - 20/1/2015 17:20

Spursex - 20/1/2015 08:33


Did you get any comp for doing it whilst going through training, or was it thanks, but no thanks and on your way?
Click to expand...

That's a funny story also.

Surgery was a stipulation of being awarded compensation for the state of my knee. The specialist said that it could improve my knee and reduce the chances of future problems, but the senior medical officer never answered any of my requests to explore the option.

The senior medical officer stopped responding to my requests to get an MRI on my other knee also, which i had previously had an incident on which required me to wear a metal brace for two months. I actually had my CO pull me into his office and specifically told me not to try and get in contact with him again.

I think they were well aware that the surgery route would have opened themselves up for having to shell out compensation as well as extend my service as they hold you till you have reached a certain stage in recuperation.

At the end of the day, while the compensation would have been VERY beneficial, having been shipped backwards and forwards around the place that the lads from Afgan went to after traumatic incidents, i know there are people that need that money far more than i do.

Just would have been nice to know there is little chance my knee wont give out in the future.
Click to expand...

Well done ZZZ.

That's honour and dignity all rolled up into one.

I perhaps appreciate it more as I've contributed/fund raised and helped ex-serviceman at one of the rehab centres for years now - and their treatment, support both mental and financial long term leaves a lot to be desired.

:1: :1: :1: :1:
Click to expand...

It's really good to know there are people like you out there ex who sacrifice your time and effort. Like you have done, it's often someone offering their time and assistance that can make the most impact on a lot of service mens lives.

A great military charity is the VA.

A massive amount of servicemen who leave have real trouble adapting to civilian life. It's why a great proportion of homeless men are ex military personal. It's just such an alien thing for them not to have orders telling them where they have to be, at what time and what they have to do. They get lost and things pass them by and they find themselves in dire straights.

VA acts much like their chain of command and pretty much organises them and offers financial assistance. They get assistance in looking for work and given "orders" on what they need for the interview, how to get there, accomodation if they need it, timings ect... It feels natural for them as it's what they have been used to for a massive part of their lives and they can perform at their best ability.

They also pay close attention to PTSD and can offer counciling and support in that manner.

Having gone through the armies transition procedures i can tell you it leaves a lot to be desired. Like most things it's out sourced and personally i found little use out of it. I still get emails from them asking to do surveys and when objectively looking on how much they influenced where i ended up, they didn't do anything.

With all these redundancies currently happening, i think big industry is missing a beat, not snapping up a lot of these guys. I know BT are all over getting anyone coming out of signals or the engineers. Their work rate is immense due to the standards that they are use to and your productivity goes way up.
Click to expand...

Without this becoming a long 'look what I did' self-congratulatory crap - I can tell you that over the years I've twisted alot of my industry leaders arms to open up their recruitment drives to ex-servicemen -and with some success, one of which included BT openreach.

The tougher ones to place/get settled are those who seen combat, and the problem alot of the time is there are still many private security firms who are hoovering up the edgier ones and placing them back in some pretty warm spots - I can't say I'm totally against it, but getting these blokes to calm down and do some life planning can be tough at times.

Anyway, last bit of advice from me over you knee:

If you haven't got it already in your current employ - buy some private health cover (the best you can afford) and then wait 12-24 months (as you might be excluded for a period for prior medical conditions) - then get yourself referred and get yourself to one of the best knee specialists you can find and get them on the case - I know you may think that's the last thing you want to do, but with knee injuries the sooner you get the ops out of the way when you're younger and the sooner you go through an extended period of rehab and rebuild the better your chances are of completely avoiding problems later in life (when your body just doesn't repair/respond in the same way)..

Good luck Z - you know where I am if you need anything.
 
Spursex - 24/1/2015 14:56

zzz - 22/1/2015 22:45

Spursex - 21/1/2015 14:05

zzz - 20/1/2015 17:20

Spursex - 20/1/2015 08:33


Did you get any comp for doing it whilst going through training, or was it thanks, but no thanks and on your way?
Click to expand...

That's a funny story also.

Surgery was a stipulation of being awarded compensation for the state of my knee. The specialist said that it could improve my knee and reduce the chances of future problems, but the senior medical officer never answered any of my requests to explore the option.

The senior medical officer stopped responding to my requests to get an MRI on my other knee also, which i had previously had an incident on which required me to wear a metal brace for two months. I actually had my CO pull me into his office and specifically told me not to try and get in contact with him again.

I think they were well aware that the surgery route would have opened themselves up for having to shell out compensation as well as extend my service as they hold you till you have reached a certain stage in recuperation.

At the end of the day, while the compensation would have been VERY beneficial, having been shipped backwards and forwards around the place that the lads from Afgan went to after traumatic incidents, i know there are people that need that money far more than i do.

Just would have been nice to know there is little chance my knee wont give out in the future.
Click to expand...

Well done ZZZ.

That's honour and dignity all rolled up into one.

I perhaps appreciate it more as I've contributed/fund raised and helped ex-serviceman at one of the rehab centres for years now - and their treatment, support both mental and financial long term leaves a lot to be desired.

:1: :1: :1: :1:
Click to expand...

It's really good to know there are people like you out there ex who sacrifice your time and effort. Like you have done, it's often someone offering their time and assistance that can make the most impact on a lot of service mens lives.

A great military charity is the VA.

A massive amount of servicemen who leave have real trouble adapting to civilian life. It's why a great proportion of homeless men are ex military personal. It's just such an alien thing for them not to have orders telling them where they have to be, at what time and what they have to do. They get lost and things pass them by and they find themselves in dire straights.

VA acts much like their chain of command and pretty much organises them and offers financial assistance. They get assistance in looking for work and given "orders" on what they need for the interview, how to get there, accomodation if they need it, timings ect... It feels natural for them as it's what they have been used to for a massive part of their lives and they can perform at their best ability.

They also pay close attention to PTSD and can offer counciling and support in that manner.

Having gone through the armies transition procedures i can tell you it leaves a lot to be desired. Like most things it's out sourced and personally i found little use out of it. I still get emails from them asking to do surveys and when objectively looking on how much they influenced where i ended up, they didn't do anything.

With all these redundancies currently happening, i think big industry is missing a beat, not snapping up a lot of these guys. I know BT are all over getting anyone coming out of signals or the engineers. Their work rate is immense due to the standards that they are use to and your productivity goes way up.
Click to expand...

Without this becoming a long 'look what I did' self-congratulatory crap - I can tell you that over the years I've twisted alot of my industry leaders arms to open up their recruitment drives to ex-servicemen -and with some success, one of which included BT openreach.

The tougher ones to place/get settled are those who seen combat, and the problem alot of the time is there are still many private security firms who are hoovering up the edgier ones and placing them back in some pretty warm spots - I can't say I'm totally against it, but getting these blokes to calm down and do some life planning can be tough at times.

Anyway, last bit of advice from me over you knee:

If you haven't got it already in your current employ - buy some private health cover (the best you can afford) and then wait 12-24 months (as you might be excluded for a period for prior medical conditions) - then get yourself referred and get yourself to one of the best knee specialists you can find and get them on the case - I know you may think that's the last thing you want to do, but with knee injuries the sooner you get the ops out of the way when you're younger and the sooner you go through an extended period of rehab and rebuild the better your chances are of completely avoiding problems later in life (when your body just doesn't repair/respond in the same way)..

Good luck Z - you know where I am if you need anything.
Click to expand...

You've done both the service men and BT a huge favour mate. If you were ever inclined to try something similar again, look into getting companies to cross train some of the skilled lads in IT.

The way the army does technical training is insane and i had the pleasure of doing my basic IT training with about a dozen lads and the way they absorb information is like nothing i have ever seen before. Including at university.

These guys have been taking inhumanely condensed courses and have been conditioned to take this information in and use it in a very small time frame.

The majority of the class came out with qualifications that it is recommended that you have 3-5 years experience to even attempt. If they have been in for anything over about 5 years, the government pays for these courses, so companies can pick up these guys who will be up to speed within about 3-6 months of being placed.

A lot of the other lads who haven't been through the armies technical training could have a bright future in management. Throw them on something like a ?PRINCE? course and they will flourish.

Had a mate who left the rifles and went into civy street and worked at a marketing company. Their director was having a conversation with him and pretty much said that he found guys coming out may not have the imagination that is needed in the industry, but if you ask them to do something, they will get it done with weeks to spare.

 
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