I am a 38 year old male that was injured in a parachuting accident while in active military service. Hypothetically; I was the lower jumper and had the right of way; but my knee reminds me daily of how close I was to death due to another persons actions. I live, work, daily in pain and hope others are luckier & less pained than I. The doctor back in the 90s said I had blown out the ligaments on impact and it was a miracle I was able to walk off the drop zone. Medical results was that he cut a sliver of 1 good tendon left and pinned it with 2 titanium pins(above & below) to grow their as a new one. Every doctor I see nowadays asks me why he didn’t use a cadavers parts but since I am not a doctor I didn’t know. I guess my long winded story to question is: Are there any newer procedures that could help ? or am I going to suffer the rest of my days with 2 chunks of titanium in me with weakness/pain/ and all the other lovely daily things I cannot do that most take for granted.
Orthopedic surgery procedures have certainly evolved since the 1990s. The surgical options today range from ligament/tendon replacement surgery to total knee replacement surgery. Ligament/tendon repair or replacement can be performed with existing tissue, tissue transposition, artificial tissue, as well as cadaveric or bovine/porcine tissue. Total knee replacement surgery may be indicated depending on the damage of the knees – it involves joint replacement of both the femur and tibia to create a new articular surface. Knee replacement options range from hinged to non-constrained.
You should consult an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in your type of injury to discuss your options. A major medical center or university medical center would be your best option to find surgeons who have experience with your type of injury.
