Hey people,

Okay so, I've spoken to a lot of the 'regulars' about this issue, but I was wondering if somebody who's actually in the same situation could help me out. Everybody I've spoken to with the same condition has had their surgery and they seem to be making great progress (which is wonderful, and if any of you are reading this I hope that you continue to do so!)

I've had an osteochondral defect for around 2 years now, I had surgery (arthroscopy, debridement) for it on 9th June, '06 - Initial injury - 4th November '04.

Well, the surgery appears to have been unsuccessful, I'm in more pain now than I was before. Sometimes I get really sharp, stabbing pains that are just totally agonising. They come on really suddenly, totally knock me back, and then go away just as suddenly as they started. I sometimes get 'twinges' in it and I always have a really dull, constant ache if I'm on it for more than a few minutes. It hurts to walk at a fast pace and I can't run at all... anything with high impact is not even an option. I experience some kind of pain or discomfort in it, every day, without fail - at some point.

So, my question is to anybody who's had the same problem. Did you need another operation? What happened next? How long did it take to finally get sorted?

I'm really starting to get depressed by this as it's limiting the things I can do so much, and it's been an issue for quite a while now.

Thanks in advance.

Hey, I am sorry to hear that your surgery did not work out as expected.

Plan "B" for me if mine failed would be cartilege transplant. There are three methods out there. 1.) they take plugs from a cadaver and replace yours 2.) they take plugs from your own knee and put it in your ankle, or 3.) 1st surgery they harvest cartilege from your ankle and grow it in a petrie disk, and then several weeks later you have a second surgery where they put the newly grown cartilge in. Plan "C" was fusion.

I am still several months away from declaring my initial surgery a success, at least it is better than it use to be. You can learn about these Cartilege Transplant methods by search the net.

I wish you the best and let us know how you make out.
~eko

I also have similar problems. You described it perfectly - mine is like a zap of electricity or searing pain that comes and goes in a jiff, often several in a row. They come out of the blue. I was having constant fire type pain the first few days but then found out mine was all due to damaged or misbehaving nerves. They put me on Neurontin and it helps a lot. I only occasionally get the zaps and even they are not too often now. But skip a dose of the magic orange capsule and it hits me full force! I was told that if it does not go away within the first month or two (it hasn't), it may be permanent, but would lesson over time and that some people find it actually goes away after about 2-3 years as the nerves regenerate or rewire themselves. I am crossing my fingers.

I also have a fair amount of pain from the OCD. I had one area that was a huge hole and a bunch of other bad spots. He said it (the hole) might not "take" and he may have to go in and do a transplant later. Time will tell I suppose. The ultimte plan is to put off a triple fusion for as long as possible (don't forget I have other stuff going on, so I am probably not exactly like your foot). My OS said I will always have a foot that complains if I am on it too long or doing high impact stuff, no matter what. I do find it does get better with time, but I am definately not where I thought I would be by now.

I also have my moments at the pitty party. Heck, Friday I even started to cry and get mad while at PT. How embarrassing. I even said "F it all. This isn't fair, I quit." My PT and my husband are great and they keep telling me that this is ok - I still feel like a baby for getting upset or mad at not being able to "do" like everyone else. They just haven't been there. I knew going into this surgery that I would not wake up and skip out of the hospital. But, somehow I guess I really had set myself up for a magic bullet cure. Sort of a "I'll get this op done, do the rehab and end up all better" I have good days, ok days and really bad days. I keep thinking "Why me? Why another set back? Why is that guy graduating from rehab before me? This sucks." etc.

I can't give you an answer that will make you feel better, but know you are not alone.

Jane