Question: I have been told I need a partial knee replacement because of worn cartilage below my knee cap. what would be the recovery time after surgery? Also there is a one centimeter particle in the fat body within the knee; could that be causing the pain when I climb or go down stairs? My Dr. does not that is the problem, but I had no problems with this knee until a hard fall directly on that knee.

Thanks for your prompt answer. Lets focus on that loose body in the fat pad that shows up in the MRI. My problems began when I fell off several stairs carrying a heavy object and landed directly on that knee. I never had a problem before that and have had pain since.(about one year). Would you recommend having that particle removed before agreeing to a partial knee replacement. While I don't want to kid myself into believing it is something minor, I don't want a replacement that may not be needed. My doctor believes that the fall may have been the straw on the camels back but the lack of cartilage is the issue. Please feel free to expound at length; I realize that you do not have the MRI etc. in front of you and do not hold you or ask a doctor responsible in any way.

MRI "impression" Severe chondropathic changes in the retropatellar cartilage. Findings suspicious for some type of loose body identified within the inferior aspect of the trochlear groove and the infrapatellar space. Tendinopathy versus partial tearing of the suprapatellar tendon at the patellar attaching plate. Small medial meniscal tear.

This is my MRI report. Can you lend any further guidance based on this?