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Suggest Treatment For Tear On Kneecap After Injury

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Posted on Fri, 4 Sep 2015
Question: are these bulging discs likely to be degenerative or could they be the result of a fall back in December? it can be noted that I did not have any neck discomfort at the time and do not experience any now really either. it is just that in December I had a fall down some stairs where I type my pattella tendon off at the shin and had a partial tear over knee cap. the surgery was delayed fourteen days after injury. could that delay contribute to complications I am experiencing now? chronic pain attributed to arthritis.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not related.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

I read your question and I understand your concern on whether something should have been done differently in the past.

Spinal degeneration is a process which involves all of us with age, its earlier presentation can be related to several factors like heavy physical work, trauma or at times simply genetic factors. Coming to trauma it can influence cervical spinal disease, accelerating it due to damage to bones and ligaments leading to decreased mobility, instability, increased strain on other levels.

However it is a case of trauma which includes in some way the spine, either the vertebrae, or the ligaments and muscles. Trauma like car accident with sudden violent neck movements, or falls with an impact on the spine. From what you describe there is no indication that there was such damage back in that December episode.

So I do not think that that episode contributed to the findings on MRI, it is a chronic degenerative process which has only now reached that stage where it manifests symptoms.

I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (1 hour later)
what about the delay in knee surgery on the patella tendon? how much effect, if any, would this have on the healing process and the severe increase in arthritis I am now experiencing?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Read below

Detailed Answer:
Knee surgery in patellar tendon tear is better done as soon as possible. The earlier it is done the better to prevent the development of scarring which may limit the success of surgery, the healing and mobility after the procedure.
To assess whether 14 days was too long it depends on your mobility now. Usually the permanent scarring changes remain if it is delayed over a month, so 14 days is not that long and may not necessarily have had any repercussions, although again, the earlier the better.

As for the pain, if it is pain originating from the knee joint, I would say chances are there was some underlying condition before as well. If your patellar mobility after the surgery was well restored I do not see it as an isolated cause, it is more likely that there were previous arthritic changes of the knee already, which the immobilization period as well as weight shifts during the rehabilitation period, brought into evidence sooner.

I hope to have been of help.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Tear On Kneecap After Injury

Brief Answer: Not related. Detailed Answer: Hello! I read your question and I understand your concern on whether something should have been done differently in the past. Spinal degeneration is a process which involves all of us with age, its earlier presentation can be related to several factors like heavy physical work, trauma or at times simply genetic factors. Coming to trauma it can influence cervical spinal disease, accelerating it due to damage to bones and ligaments leading to decreased mobility, instability, increased strain on other levels. However it is a case of trauma which includes in some way the spine, either the vertebrae, or the ligaments and muscles. Trauma like car accident with sudden violent neck movements, or falls with an impact on the spine. From what you describe there is no indication that there was such damage back in that December episode. So I do not think that that episode contributed to the findings on MRI, it is a chronic degenerative process which has only now reached that stage where it manifests symptoms. I remain at your disposal for further questions.