Post surgery pain from bone graft

[BrinaCheer01]

I had a patella realignment procedure in April. My knee has healed great and is pain free. I'm back to doing all physical activity - except running. The knee feels excellent; however, I have alot of pain at the graft site on the tibia when I try to run. My three month follow up x-rays showed the bone was healing excellent, the screws were in place, and the grafted piece was in perfect alignment with my tibia.

Is the bone pain normal, and is there anything I can do to speed the recovery?

[Michael L Gross, MD]

Could be pain from the screws.  I usually don't like to remove them for at least six months.  Ask your surgeon to see you though, just to be sure there is nothing else going on.  

[KneeSurgery]

Hi again,

As you know I'm having the same surgery in 5 days on my left knee then the right in November.  Anywho my doctor says that I will be able to run free of pain after a year and the pain till then is normal due to the fact that there are now screws there.  He also told me that I shouldn't try to start running until then so that it will be able to heal properly.

Hope that helps,
Jess

[BrinaCheer01]

Oh, and good luck on Tuesday - I think you'll be happy with the results.

[BrinaCheer01]

Yes..that is helpful. Thank you! I'm glad to know your Dr. mentioned the pain at the screw site. My Dr. released me to run, so I guess I just need to wait it out.