Tibial Tubercle Transfer Patellofemoral Arthritis
Tibial tubercle transfer is a surgical treatment that treats instability, arthritis, or cartilage defects and, in addition, affects the patellofemoral joint, also known as bony realignment or osteotomy. The surgical procedure involves removing a small part of bone where the patella tendon is, and then repositioning or transferring it to a point on the tibia (shinbone) to treat the underlying issues.
Who is eligible for tibial tubercle transfer
- People with different knee problems like the kneecap move out of place due to some force, a place where a soft tissue surgery is not appropriate.
- People who experience pain due to the improper alignment of the kneecap, creates severe pressure and damage to the cartilage in the front of the knee.
- Patience with patellofemoral arthritis and damage to the cartilage also known as chondromalacia.
Symptoms of tibial tubercle transfer
Some of the common symptoms of tibial tubercle transfer include:
- Different types of stiffness in front part of the knee
- Pain in the knee from long time
- Pain while in different sitting such as airplane flights, or sitting at theatre.
- Pain while climbing stairs, doing squats or wearing high heels can cause pain.
Procedure to perform tibial tubercle transfer
Before undergoing the surgical procedures the surgeon will ensure thorough analysis of the condition with several tests.
Tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), physical examination and some blood tests.
These tests help the patient to analyze if the candidate is good enough for tibial tubercle transfer or not.
Before starting the procedure the patient is given regional anesthesia on the spinal block that helps to numb the half of the body.
Top orthopaedic surgeon makes sure that the tendon is positioned correctly to help the kneecap (patella) that moves smoothly in the groove of the thigh bone.
The surgeon will make sure that the pressure should not be put on the area where the cartilage is damaged.
To intact the bone in its new position, two screws are inserted, but later they can be removed if any discomfort occurs.
The surgical incision is about 3 inches long and the surgery takes around an hour to complete.
Benefits of tibial tubercle transfer treatment
Some of the common benefits of tibial tubercle transfer treatment in India include:
Pain relief: Tibial tubercle transfer treatment leads to reducing pain connected with patellofemoral arthritis. Also helps in restoring mobility and enhances the quality of life.
Improvement in knee function: Due to realigning the patella, this improves the tracking and stability of the kneecap, improves knee function and enhances range of motion.
Delayed joint degeneration: Tibial tubercle transfer treatment can hold up the progression of joint degeneration. Also stops the need for surgical procedures like knee replacement in future.
Cost of tibial tubercle transfer treatment in India
The cost of tibial tubercle transfer treatment in India is affordable and lower than other nations. Various factors may vary the total cost of the treatment such as:
Surgeon's expertise: The experience of the doctor and reputation of the surgeon who is performing the surgery can upgrade the cost of the treatment.
Hospital facilities: The facilities and services the patient is asking for may influence the cost. Also the location of the hospital can impact the overall cost.
Type of surgery: This factor impacts cost as this is important to know the type of surgery whether it is arthroscopic or open surgery. Using advanced technology for the treatment can influence the cost.
Summary
Tibial tubercle transfer is a surgical treatment that treats instability, arthritis, or cartilage defects and, in addition, affects the patellofemoral joint, also known as bony realignment or osteotomy.
People with different knee problems like the kneecap move out of place due to some force, a place where a soft tissue surgery is not appropriate.
