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What Are Artificial Knee Caps?

Posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2014

Question: Last July I got an infection in my left knee which had already been replaced 10 years ago. I had surgery and had to wear an antibiotic spacer for 8 weeks. Then i had another knee replacement. After surgery, I found I did not have a knee cap, they had to take it out. Now I fall around all the time, I can't even tell you how many times I have fallen and my knee just goes sideways and I fall. I have been told they do not make artificial knee caps. Is this true?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I want to know little more detail

Detailed Answer:
Hello madam,
i have read your case and I want to know little detail before I advice you any thing.
1. when did you had your second knee replacement?
2. Do you feel your knee is unstable during lying down also?
3. Are you having any other medical illness?
4. How much knee bending is there?
Please send me answer of these question.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (5 hours later)

Thank you for answering,
1. I had my second knee replacement in September 2013
2. It doesn't feel just right, and as soon as I get up in the night, I have to put the brace on. I am also in a motorized wheelchair and I hate it, I want to walk again, and no one is giving me any hope. I just can't believe they can replace heart valves and not make a knee cap.
3. I have had my right knee replaced in 2005, and so far has not given me any trouble. It gets sore because I have to use it so much, I have also had both shoulders replaced, left one due to arthritis, and right one because I fell and it
crushed and broke my arm in 3 places above the elbow. I also have broken my right Tibia and my left ankle. As you can tell I have osteoporosis.
4. It bends all the time when I don't have the knee brace on.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (30 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your knee is not stable

Detailed Answer:
Hello madam,
After reading your history I came to conclusion that your knee is not stable. This is because of infection and can be due to poor implant placement. Artificial knee cap are not available. Now you have two options.
1. If you want permanent solution then I would suggest you to removal of implant, and get knee fusion surgery. This will take care of pain and instability. Though your knee will not bend.
2. Other option is to get a repeat knee surgery with a special knee implant (constrained) which is more stable.
So you can choose any one of the above mentioned option. If you want to know any other question you can ask.
Thanks.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj