My girlfriend just got back from the doctor and she was recommended a Fulkerson Osteotomy. She’s had knee issues as long as I’ve known her, along with at least 3 procedures on that knee (removed a mass of cells, and then 2 procedures for a possible “meniscus tear” from being hit by a drunk driver). I used to work for Dynamic Fitness Management and met Dr. Feigenbaum twice, and I asked him how to approach an issue she had where she was leaning to one side when she squatted. This is apparently one of the symptoms, and the doctor now claims the dislocation issue in the patella is the cause. (the patella tracks laterally as she bends her knee). I know this is limited information, but are you familiar with this procedure, and is there any steps you would take before giving more serious consideration to going under the knife? Apparently she is at risk of damaging more cartilage the longer this goes on, but the knee is also weak so I could see room for improvement through strength training.
Thank You, Lucas Blumhorst
She apparently has a long history of “knee issues” – including one issue that resulted from a significant physical and psychological trauma, which complicates things further.
While she may have some symptomatic patellar instability, I often question whether this is a likely sole cause of someone’s pain.
It sounds like she’s also been nocebo’d into thinking she’s going to have inevitable progressive cartilage damage unless she gets surgery, and that “the knee is weak”.
There’s a whole lot going on here that makes it very difficult to say whether this procedure is going to helpful for her. I’d get a another opinion and would certainly find ways to train in the meantime as well.