Dislocating Patella & Chondromalacia

[goin2pa]

While on active duty I was diagnosed with a "Dislocating Patella & Chondromalacia" in my left knee from a "broken" knee-cap. I had surgery to remove the "loose body" that was wrecking my knee (part of the cartilage from the underside of my knee-cap, re-alignment of ligaments and to clean the Mincius within my knee. In my medical record it plainly states that while completing this procedure part of my knee cartilage was removed. Although the knee is often VERY sore, and swells up – but it is considerably better than prior to surgery!

My question is - would this type of procedure normally warrant a rating under # 5259 "Cartilage, Semilunar, removal of, Symptomatic . . . . 10%" . To me, strictly with only a layman's understanding of the ratings and diagnostic codes; it sounds right – but was hoping to find out from someone who knows. The C & P doctor diagnossed it as "Degenerative Joint Desease"

Thanks in advance - Jim

[goin2pa]

Thanks for the reply. No i haven't recieved any rating as of yet (Claim date Sept 01, 2010) But am hoping for some sort of correspondence soon. So far all I've been told is that the VA is working on the claim.

Jim

[caubulldog]

I had the same diagnosis and received 10% for Traumatic Arthritis backdated to day of discharge. Had surgery in February and range of motion is almost back to normal but still have the DJD diagnosis from my surgeon and primary care doctor. Just had a C&P exam for my post surgical residuals so we will see if it goes up anymore due to surgery and loss of muscle mass on quad muscle next to joint.

[cooter]

I had the same diagnosis and received 10% for Traumatic Arthritis backdated to day of discharge. Had surgery in February and range of motion is almost back to normal but still have the DJD diagnosis from my surgeon and primary care doctor. Just had a C&P exam for my post surgical residuals so we will see if it goes up anymore due to surgery and loss of muscle mass on quad muscle next to joint.

Did you get a copy of the C&P exam, and if you did, what did the examiner write? If you havn't requested a copy, you should! Depending what he wrote could help you determine which direction your claim is heading. What type of surgery did you have in Feb?

[caubulldog]

Did you get a copy of the C&P exam, and if you did, what did the examiner write? If you havn't requested a copy, you should! Depending what he wrote could help you determine which direction your claim is heading. What type of surgery did you have in Feb?

Getting ready to mail off for a copy of it as a local increase could end a seven year appeal long as effective date is correct. I had a lateral release to pull my kneecap back into it's correct alignment. A ligament was cut and a tendon and muscle was moved two inches to the left of original position. Muscle atrophy was noted and therapy is ongoing to regain this for at least the next year. I still have joint pain and trouble going down stairs but my rom is back and I can walk normal again and do things I have not done in over five years due to pain & limitations of joint.

[cooter]

Did your surgeon mention any thing about the structure of the meniscus's in the kneecap? That was one of the problems I had when my kneecap would dislocate. Mine were torn thus making the knee unstable. It gotten so bad that when I was in bed sleeping, if I turned my body, the cap would dislocate and I would wake up yelling. I ended up being a candidate for a knee replacement. It's been 3 years since the surgery and still have a hard time with stairs, and forget about climbing ladders. The only good that came out of the surgery is, my knee doesn't dislocate anymore. I still have to be very careful due to the knee buckling and sometimes falling. Unfortunately, I still have to use a cane. You just had your surgery last Feb. so hopefully it'll get better in time. If not, you'll need to pursue this even more. Bottom line is, not all surgery's fix's the problem. Matter of fact, some end up making the problem worse.