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I Am Having A Osteochondral Allograft Could That Be Related To The Defect?Also Does Having Ehlers Danlos Complicate Anything With Surgery?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Apr 2023
Question: I am having a osteochondral allograft next week. It is on my medial femoral condyle. I have so many different types of knee pain at different locations. Does a defect usually only cause pain at that location or can it cause pain in other areas of the knee? I often get a feeling that something is tearing in the front of my knee. And get swelling on the lateral side of my knee. Could that be related to the defect?Also does having ehlers danlos complicate anything with surgery?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Detail below .

Detailed Answer:

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.I have gone through your query and understand your health concerns , a defect may cause pain in other areas of the knee.
Feeling of tearing in the front of knee and swelling on the lateral side of knee are due to cartilage damage .
The Osteochondral Allograft Transplantion Surgery, commonly known as OATS, replaces damaged cartilage in the knee with healthy cartilage from a donor, relieving pain and restoring movement and function to the joint.

There are a few difficulties that are associated with the OATS procedure. Donor grafts are not always readily available and occasionally some donors experience problems in a joint after the removal of the cartilage. Another potential complication, though uncommon, is a failure of the donor cartilage to integrate completely with the patient’s existing cartilage.

Although the OATS procedure is considered a safe form of surgery in which complications are rare, there are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Some of the risks in this case include infection, bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, numbness at the site, joint stiffness and damage to the surrounding tissue.

Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (16 hours later)
What is the recovery like? They told me I have to wear a brace. Am I allowed to bend my knee? Will having ehlers danlos complicate anything?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Recovery can take 4-6 weeks.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The recovery can take 4-6 weeks. You can bend your knee in non weight bearing position- while lying down. Ehlers Danlos will not complicate or affect the recovery. No need to worry.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (26 hours later)
Is it usually a painful recovery? What can they do for pain other than pain meds. Do you ever do nerve blocks?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Pain killers are usually sufficient to control pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
The recovery usually is not very painful. Routine pain killers can control the pain well. Nerve blocks are no needed post surgery.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (14 hours later)
Sorry one last question. Originally I was told that I needed a tibial osteotomy at the time of the bone graft because of significant wear on my tibia. So they put me in an unloader brace until I had a donor. So I have been wearing it for over a year. Last time I saw the doctor they said I wouldn't need it at the time of the allograft surgery. But they didn't realize I was wearing the unloader brace. Why would they change their mind? My knee wouldn't be able to improve over time right? When they go in for surgery could they change their mind to do it if my knee looks bad?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Details below.

Detailed Answer:
The decision of not doing tibial osteotomy entirely depends on the surgeon and your clinical symptoms. The knee may take some extra time to improve but there will not be any long term complications. They can change their mind again at the time of surgery in case the tibial end looks bad but that is rare.
Regards.
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12314 Questions

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I Am Having A Osteochondral Allograft Could That Be Related To The Defect?Also Does Having Ehlers Danlos Complicate Anything With Surgery?

Brief Answer: Detail below . Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query.I have gone through your query and understand your health concerns , a defect may cause pain in other areas of the knee. Feeling of tearing in the front of knee and swelling on the lateral side of knee are due to cartilage damage . The Osteochondral Allograft Transplantion Surgery, commonly known as OATS, replaces damaged cartilage in the knee with healthy cartilage from a donor, relieving pain and restoring movement and function to the joint. There are a few difficulties that are associated with the OATS procedure. Donor grafts are not always readily available and occasionally some donors experience problems in a joint after the removal of the cartilage. Another potential complication, though uncommon, is a failure of the donor cartilage to integrate completely with the patient’s existing cartilage. Although the OATS procedure is considered a safe form of surgery in which complications are rare, there are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Some of the risks in this case include infection, bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, numbness at the site, joint stiffness and damage to the surrounding tissue. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal.