Concerned about removing the patella (knee cap): Patellectomy

Hi @sandbarry1, I can imagine you're concerned about living without a knee cap. Although this article is from 2009, I thought you may appreciate the story from a Mayo Clinic patient on the procedure she underwent at Mayo Clinic to replace a patella,
- A Life Restored https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-life-restored/

Have you asked your orthopedic surgeon about replacing the patella?

From some quick research, it appears that this procedure is unheard of anywhere near me (New York, Massachusetts) even at the major medical centers. It sounded great at first glance, but the reality of travel and lodging costs in addition to medical and rehab costs makes it seem somewhat implausible.

I do very much appreciate your sending me the article, and will discuss it at length with my ortho on 5/24. Thank you.

Hello
New to this forum. I found this interesting study on long term effects of patellectomies. It is dated 2009, and is a a 20 year retro study. Unfortunately, I cannot include the link as against guidelines for the forum. Just google 20 years study retro study on patellectomies.
I had a patellectomy 6 weeks ago. VERY long story of major knee tendon issues. My step Dad had one, ironically, 4 months ago. He has done fantastically. There is not much on the net about this procedure, and the long term effects on function, run the gamut.

I also saw the above link on the Mayo procedure: miracle procedure. I have not run across this anywhere in my research.

Due to patella decalcification (longer story!) , a fall from a buckle of my knee with patellar tendon rupture, and shattered (42 pieces!) patella, it was removed almost 30 years ago. A constant and recurring problem with lack of quad muscle strength my knee would dislocate about every 5 yrs, even while wearing a heavy duty unloader brace. FOUR surgeries later, the last to realign my patellar tendon which had slipped to the left side of my knee, left me with 2 screws in my shin, NO BENDING ability after 1 year of physical therapy, 3x per week! I now walk on crutches (4 years) because it keeps me more upright, and not lopsided than with a cane. My other knee has taken the brunt of doing all the work, getting up and down from chairs, toilet, etc, that it now has constant tendonitis. Ortho doctors tell me my knee is a "shitshow"! and because my other knee is tendonitis and not ARTHRITIS, nothing can be done but meds, which are bad for heart. ( Steroids, anti-inflammatories). I just want someone WHO KNOWS how to fix this!! An artificial knee cap would be great but my patellar tendon is so tight now I don't know!?? I am in SouthW Florida.