Melbourne knee spe******ts

[soccerknees]

Hi guys,

What a great site, just stumbled onto it trying to explain to a work colleague what an ACL reco is.

I've had both knees done, both ACL ruptures and both using the patella tendon graft method.

Both ops were performed by Ian Henderson in 1994 (left knee) and 2000 (right knee).

As others here have said his bedside manner is non existant but the guy is a brilliant surgeon and arguably IMHO the best in Melbourne. I have returned to competitive soccer after 9 months on both occasions with only the usual minor soreness. It does take about 2 years before your knee feels 'normal' again during sport.

He will answer any questions you have but don't go in there unprepared and expect him to start explaining the surgery and what not because he won't.

However I wasn't looking for a buddy but a brilliant surgeon.

I cannot recommend him highly enough.

[deeKnee]

Hi,

I have experienced 4-5 dislocations in the last 6 years. I have tried physio and it doesnt seem to work. I am now decided to go in for surgery.

I have got two opinions so far. One is for MPFL reconstruction and the other is Fulkerson. I am confused and want to take a couple more opinions. Would anyone be able to recommend a couple of good patella specialists in Sydney.

Thanks,

Dee

[kjwilkin]

Hi Dee,

My advice is to not get too many opinions as you will get very confused.

Seeing a good sports physician may be a good start. 4 to 5 dislocations in the last 6 years is not much. I have experienced that over a week, sometimes in a day.

I would urge you to try everything conservatively first before considering surgery.

Have you tried McConnell taping, clinical pilates and a structured gym program ? All of these things can really help.

[deeKnee]

Thanks

One OS in india and another one here have recommended suregery. I tried physio for a year. But I think I want to go ahead with surgery. I just want one other opinion to make the decision. Unfortunately, I dont know any good specialists here as I lived most of my life outside aus.

[kjwilkin]

Hi Dee,

In Sydney, Justin Roe and Merv Cross have a special interest in patella problems. Merv Cross is a much older surgeon while Justin is a lot younger.

When you tried physio did you have a specialised program that focused on your quads, glutes and hip muscles ? These are all very important for patella stability.

If you haven't tried taping and bracing I would also try that.

Good luck.

[deeKnee]

Yes, the program was targeted on those areas.

I am getting confused each day. I have been researching a lot and MPFL reconstrcution is said to be a new technique that is very effective. However, I met a couple of doctors here and they both suggested to making changes to my bone and fixing it with two screws apart from the tissue work.

Thanks for the info on the docs. I'll try and see them

[kjwilkin]

Hi there,

Sorry you are getting really confused. It is really important to find a surgeon that specialises in patella problems.

I've had a MPFL reconstruction and was very effective, but depends on your own anatomy. Have you had any CT scans done ? This will be the telling story.

Before my knee surgeon decided on further surgery he got some CT scans to see which kind of surgery would be best sorted in my case.

If you have no luck in Sydney I would consider coming to Melbourne. My knee surgeon specialises in patella problems and is great.

[deeKnee]

Thanks,

Would you be able to ask your doctor to recommend a good patella specialist in Sydney. So far, I have met the following-
Dr. Peter Walker
Dr. Bruce Caldwell
Dr. Danniel Biggs

A leading OS in india, recommended MPFL reconstruction to me. I would love to get it done there as I can trust him. He has treated my family members who live there and has a modern outlook. Somehow, non of the surgerons here suggested MPFL recon to me.

Dr. Biggs said MPFL repair, but I am not sure if thats the same as reconstruction.

Thanks

[deeKnee]

Oh and I do have CT scans and MRIs, but the doctors here dont seem to look too much into it.

[kjwilkin]

Hi there,

I would actually come down to Melbourne to see Julian Feller. He specialises in patella problems and looks very closely at the CT scans. They will give him the best idea of what surgery is going to work for you. He also closely looks at plain x-rays, but usually doesn't get patients to have MRIs for patella problems unless there are other problems. A lot of elite footballers have come to see him from interstate.

He does a lot of the MPFL recos. I had one with him about 10 years ago and is still going well.

If you decided to come to Melbourne you would get in to see him earlier if you see a sports physician at Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre and referred to him. He works out of Olympic Park most Wednesday afternoons.

From some research and talking to people in the industry Justin Roe and Merv Cross are the best for patella problems in Sydney.