Knee Surgeon Recommendation

oconnortj

Hi,

Im requiring ACL reconstruction on my right knee and have been booked in with Fergal McGoldrick in the Hermitage Center in lucan. I was just wondering if anybody has had this procedure done by McGoldrick and would they recommend him????

Thanks
T

ixus

oconnortj wrote: »

Hi,

Im requiring ACL reconstruction on my right knee and have been booked in with Fergal McGoldrick in the Hermitage Center in lucan. I was just wondering if anybody has had this procedure done by McGoldrick and would they recommend him????

Thanks
T

I know people who have had successfull ACL surgery with him.
Had surgery with Ray Moran (Kevin's brother) myself.

While the surgery is obviuosly important, the most important part is the effort you put into recovering.

oconnortj

Hi Ixus,
thanks for the swift reply. My dilemma is as follows...I am booked in to see Ray Moran in 2 weeks but the thing is my health insurance does not cover him and it would cost 5k....however i am covered under Fergal McGoldrick and he seems like my only option at the moment as he can see me straight away. Everyone else is booked up till the middle of Aug. I cant find any useless info on him on the net and was just wondering has he had successfull acl constructions. Oh ya the rehab will be the key to returning successfully.

Burkatron

Fergal use to be based in Blackrock.He did surgery on my knee when I was younger,not ACL mind you,an arthroscopy and later a meniscus/cartilidge repair jobby! Grr Ray Moran is good,not a fan of his attitude though!:mad:
Theres a past thread here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055080025

chocgirl

They're both known to be excellent surgeons it's the patients that differ not necessarily the surgeons. I wouldn't pay privately just for a name. Follow the recommendation from your GP.

ixus

I've never heard anything negative about McGoldrick and, as I said, I know a few who have used him. Insurance covered me with Moran, I would have been just as happy to go with McGoldrick.

Something worth discussing with your surgeon is where you get the graft from, your hamstring or patella. Do a little research on it beforehand. Personally, I chose to get the graft from the patella as I regularly pulled my hamstrings and was wary that this may increase the rate of tears.* Find it hard (impossible) to kneel though.

Just for others who read this thread, I found Ray Moran to be extremely sound and down to earth. No attitude whatsoever. Just my experience.

Finally, I can't stress how important it is to focus on your recovery. I have to admit, I didn't give it 100% and I still struggle 4 years on.

* Idle speculation, but I wonder if this is why Michael Owen never recovered peak fitness after his knee op. Prior to doing the ACL, he used to tear his hammer in full flight often enough.

Burkatron

ixus wrote: »

I've never heard anything negative about McGoldrick and, as I said, I know a few who have used him. Insurance covered me with Moran, I would have been just as happy to go with McGoldrick.

Something worth discussing with your surgeon is where you get the graft from, your hamstring or patella. Do a little research on it beforehand. Personally, I chose to get the graft from the patella as I regularly pulled my hamstrings and was wary that this may increase the rate of tears.* Find it hard (impossible) to kneel though.

Just for others who read this thread, I found Ray Moran to be extremely sound and down to earth. No attitude whatsoever. Just my experience.

Finally, I can't stress how important it is to focus on your recovery. I have to admit, I didn't give it 100% and I still struggle 4 years on.

* Idle speculation, but I wonder if this is why Michael Owen never recovered peak fitness after his knee op. Prior to doing the ACL, he used to tear his hammer in full flight often enough.

Sorry, I should state that that was my experience with Ray. When he was giving my knee he once over I was 16 and very angry because my knee was a mess!I know loadsa people who swear by him.Also my ma was a work colleague of his wife for years and has nothing but nice things to say about him (and his success rates)along with other people I know who've being to him!

Burkatron

ixus wrote: »

I've never heard anything negative about McGoldrick and, as I said, I know a few who have used him. Insurance covered me with Moran, I would have been just as happy to go with McGoldrick.

Something worth discussing with your surgeon is where you get the graft from, your hamstring or patella. Do a little research on it beforehand. Personally, I chose to get the graft from the patella as I regularly pulled my hamstrings and was wary that this may increase the rate of tears.* Find it hard (impossible) to kneel though.

Just for others who read this thread, I found Ray Moran to be extremely sound and down to earth. No attitude whatsoever. Just my experience.

Finally, I can't stress how important it is to focus on your recovery. I have to admit, I didn't give it 100% and I still struggle 4 years on.

* Idle speculation, but I wonder if this is why Michael Owen never recovered peak fitness after his knee op. Prior to doing the ACL, he used to tear his hammer in full flight often enough.

They actually took the graft from a dead body for MO's last operation with Dr. Steadman! He always had dodgey hamstrings when he was younger though so maybe from an earlier treatment!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-451224/Dead-man-puts-soccer-ace-Michael-Owen-feet.html

polaco

anyone now when I can do arthroscopy and what would cost of doing it
I have some VHI cover but I dont think that policy actually covers such procedure thank you

mattym

I attended Mr McGoldrick last september with a knee injury. It had come on over a long time from running long distance races and he did an arthoscopy. He didnt see much wrong, some minor wear and tear and he put my problem down to that. After a few months i tried getting back at the running but same pain, i went back to him and he gave my steroid injections into my knee to speed up the recovery. Started doing a bit in the last few months again and the same pain has come back. Very disappointed and not as flush as i was last year so cant afford another visit. I do realise that there are a lot of other very good reports on this thread about him, and this is only my personal experience.

Burkatron

mattym wrote: »

I attended Mr McGoldrick last september with a knee injury. It had come on over a long time from running long distance races and he did an arthoscopy. He didnt see much wrong, some minor wear and tear and he put my problem down to that. After a few months i tried getting back at the running but same pain, i went back to him and he gave my steroid injections into my knee to speed up the recovery. Started doing a bit in the last few months again and the same pain has come back. Very disappointed and not as flush as i was last year so cant afford another visit. I do realise that there are a lot of other very good reports on this thread about him, and this is only my personal experience.

Mattym, have you being to any musculoskeletal specialists as opposed to just pure orthopaedic? They tend (from my experience & alot of peoples opinion in the field) not to look at things such as muscle imbalances/patella tracking Might be an idea to go see a reputeable Physical therapist or Osteopath. If not a Physio might be able to do the job,just get it checked out by someone with a different approach!

mattym

Thanks for that Burkathon. Its something i might look into, its very annoying not being able to run at the moment, and the Dublin Marathon coming up!!!! Could you recommend anyone? Have been to physios but didnt have much joy. I do wear orthotics fitted by a physio and have an awkward running style to say the least. But what annoyed me about Mr McGoldrick was that he saw my running style and still operated without much to go on. The outcome being, i'm quiet a lot of money down and no further on. I'm in Meath if you can recommend someone to see. And i'm sorry for hijacking the thread, i hate people like me:o

hypermobile

Hi just wondering if anyone had their knee done by Prof. John O'Byrne in Cappagh and what was their experience with him and his team.

LandoCalrissian

I have had O'Byrne work on my knee in both Mater and Cappagh including an ACL reconstruction.
A few years later I had to go get something checked out by a specialist in Sydney - he did comment on how well the knee was holding up and surprised at its stability given the amount of sports I was still involved in.

connollys

Continuing the trend of this thread, Im due to get an ACL reconstruction done with Mr Fintan Shannon in Galway. Anyone go through this with him before? What was the experience like?

hypermobile

LandoCalrissian wrote: »

I have had O'Byrne work on my knee in both Mater and Cappagh including an ACL reconstruction.
A few years later I had to go get something checked out by a specialist in Sydney - he did comment on how well the knee was holding up and surprised at its stability given the amount of sports I was still involved in.

Did you have any trouble with your hamstring after? I had mine done less than 15months ago and my acl has retorn again despite having not returned to sports due to instability

LandoCalrissian

No I had no problems at all with my hamstring mind you I did spend quite a lot of time rehabilitating the knee - funnily enough I have always found that my knee feels "iffy" when doing nothing for any period.

Stronger muscles in your leg will help to compensate after an ACL recon

Moss123

Hi,

I would be interested in finding out if anybody has been in a situation similar to mine. I tore my cruciate ligament just under 13 months ago playing gaelic football. I tore it on the 5th April 2009 and it is now the 24th April 2010. My surgeon underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove some of my meniscus and he examined my cruciate ligament and he said it was a grade II tear, that 75% of the acl was toren. He did not do the acl reconstruction so my cruciate is still tore.

I have been strengthening my leg muscles for sometime now. I have returned to playing football games in training last week and my knee feels fine. It has not given away even though 75% of my cruciate is tore. I am considering returning to playing competitive games of football as I have been playing games in training. My surgeon has advised me to return playing even though it might give way he said but at the same time he said I might get away with it. To date my knee feels fine and I can turn, run, jump and take shoulders and give shoulders and my knee is fine.

I'm considering playing in a championship game that is approaching as my knee feels ok. However I have a grade II tear and my two physios have warned me of the consequences and the risks involved. Has anyone returned to competive gaa or football with a grade II tear like mine. I was told Pat Spillane did so and won a few all irelands with kerry?

Tootle

connollys wrote: »

Continuing the trend of this thread, Im due to get an ACL reconstruction done with Mr Fintan Shannon in Galway. Anyone go through this with him before? What was the experience like?

He's a lovely man and an excellent surgeon. You'll have no problems once you carry through with your rehab. The surgery is only half the battle.

I would be interested in finding out if anybody has been in a situation similar to mine. I tore my cruciate ligament just under 13 months ago playing gaelic football. I tore it on the 5th April 2009 and it is now the 24th April 2010. My surgeon underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove some of my meniscus and he examined my cruciate ligament and he said it was a grade II tear, that 75% of the acl was toren. He did not do the acl reconstruction so my cruciate is still tore.

I have been strengthening my leg muscles for sometime now. I have returned to playing football games in training last week and my knee feels fine. It has not given away even though 75% of my cruciate is tore. I am considering returning to playing competitive games of football as I have been playing games in training. My surgeon has advised me to return playing even though it might give way he said but at the same time he said I might get away with it. To date my knee feels fine and I can turn, run, jump and take shoulders and give shoulders and my knee is fine.

I'm considering playing in a championship game that is approaching as my knee feels ok. However I have a grade II tear and my two physios have warned me of the consequences and the risks involved. Has anyone returned to competive gaa or football with a grade II tear like mine. I was told Pat Spillane did so and won a few all irelands with kerry? ?

There are some people (mind you its a very small %) who can actually cope without their ACL at all. If its stable enough and you feel stable can hop, jump, land, start stop and twist with full confidence and the surgeon felt it was stable, then I would go for it. You are probably just as likely to tear it if you hadn't an ACL injury as you are with a 75% tear...if that makes sense.

janullrich

I had ACL reconstruction done in Germany in 2005 and kneehole done on Friday with Ray Moran to get a foreign piece out and clean the knee out. To be honest I had to do a bit of tiding up in my own house as it is going to be let on Saturday so was standing up a good bit this afternoon! Not a great idea I know. BTW always do the exercises as when I had my first knee op done in 1998 I did not and you can clearly mark out the muscle weakness above the knee in the left knee (all ops on left knee). I found Ray Moran quiet ok. He is straight to the point and hopefully I will have no more probs.

gary the great

I have a very bad knee after a break back in 2006, Maurice Nelligan has done some work on it and ive been very happy with him so far. Although hes public.

FlipperThePriest

Hello,

I thought I'd bump this instead of starting a thread...
Last night playing football I sustained what I think is a pretty bad knee injury.
I've physio tomorrow but I'm pretty worried about it and thought I'd ask here in the mean time - Is it possible that it's an ACL tear if there's little or no swelling? I hear that the knee fills up with blood which causes near immediate swelling. It seems like an acl tear (e.g. I can't put full weight on it, no range of motion, very hard to walk etc) apart from the fact that I've had no swelling; or could this have been evaded by the amount of ice and elevation I've had on it since? The pain and discomfort feels central and deep.

hurleronditch

FlipperThePriest wrote: »

Hello,

I thought I'd bump this instead of starting a thread...
Last night playing football I sustained what I think is a pretty bad knee injury.
I've physio tomorrow but I'm pretty worried about it and thought I'd ask here in the mean time - Is it possible that it's an ACL tear if there's little or no swelling? I hear that the knee fills up with blood which causes near immediate swelling. It seems like an acl tear (e.g. I can't put full weight on it, no range of motion, very hard to walk etc) apart from the fact that I've had no swelling; or could this have been evaded by the amount of ice and elevation I've had on it since? The pain and discomfort feels central and deep.

Id relax a minute, ACL tear is at the top of the spectrum. All you know is that your knee is sore, with no swelling. At this early stage its just idle speculation, but it could simply be a sprain, slightly damaged cartlidge or a strain of any one of the ligaments (PCL, medial etc).

Go to physio, see what he thinks, and probably push to go to a GP and get referred for a scan (or go straight for the scan if you can) if you dont like what you hear.

At the moment you have a headache, could be a migrane, could be a tooth abcess, could be a brain tumour, but its just a headache for now. wait til a professional assesses it

TommyKnocker

FlipperThePriest wrote: »

Hello,

I thought I'd bump this instead of starting a thread...
Last night playing football I sustained what I think is a pretty bad knee injury.
I've physio tomorrow but I'm pretty worried about it and thought I'd ask here in the mean time - Is it possible that it's an ACL tear if there's little or no swelling? I hear that the knee fills up with blood which causes near immediate swelling. It seems like an acl tear (e.g. I can't put full weight on it, no range of motion, very hard to walk etc) apart from the fact that I've had no swelling; or could this have been evaded by the amount of ice and elevation I've had on it since? The pain and discomfort feels central and deep.

Hi

I am sorry, but it is against the forum charter to seek medical advice. See http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054962524

You have sustained an injury while playing sport which you feel is a bad injury. The very last place you should come for a diagnosis is a public forum on the internet.

With the best will in the world no one can diagnose you here without seeing you, even if they held the relevant qualifications.

So please go and talk with the physio and get a qualified opinion from a professional.

Please do not post further on this thread asking for advice on your injury.


Best Regards,

M

TommyKnocker

Hi Tootle

Just make sure you get the balance right. Too much rest can be as detrimental. I certainly would start some form of basic Quads exercises after 3 days-my professional opinion

Even if you do hold the relevant qualifications, it is against the forum charter to offer what could be construed as medical adivce on any forum on Boards.ie. See http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054962524

I would therefore ask that you refrain from offering this kind of advice in the future.


Best Regards,

M

FlipperThePriest

B-Builder wrote: »

Hi

I am sorry, but it is against the forum charter to seek medical advice....So please go and talk with the physio and get a qualified opinion from a professional.

I didn't once ask for advice, I asked for opinion.. big difference; Advice - what should I do? Opinion - what do you think (based on experience, not expertese). And as I've already stated that I will be attending physio I think it's pretty obvious that I'm not going to leave my injury in the hands of boards members.

Tootle

B-Builder wrote: »

Hi Tootle



Even if you do hold the relevant qualifications, it is against the forum charter to offer what could be construed as medical adivce on any forum on Boards.ie. See http://m.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054962524

I would therefore ask that you refrain from offering this kind of advice in the future.


Best Regards,

M

Noted and apologies, I over stepped the mark. Bad habit!
PS in fairness to the OP he had already stated that he was going to see a Physio. And looking for information on a forum is no worse than looking up a website.

Floppybits

FlipperThePriest wrote:

Hello,

I thought I'd bump this instead of starting a thread...
Last night playing football I sustained what I think is a pretty bad knee injury.
I've physio tomorrow but I'm pretty worried about it and thought I'd ask here in the mean time - Is it possible that it's an ACL tear if there's little or no swelling? I hear that the knee fills up with blood which causes near immediate swelling. It seems like an acl tear (e.g. I can't put full weight on it, no range of motion, very hard to walk etc) apart from the fact that I've had no swelling; or could this have been evaded by the amount of ice and elevation I've had on it since? The pain and discomfort feels central and deep.

<Mod Snip> Please do not offer any advice on what FlipperThePriest should or should not do. FlipperThePriest has an appointment with a Physio, so let's leave it to the professionals to diagnose and advise on treatment, shall we </Mod Snip>

On the original subject of good knee surgeons, I have had operations on both my knees one by Moran to clean up the right knee and the other by Paddy Kenny in the hermitage to fix a miniscus tear in the left knee. Have to say I found Kenny great, since I had the tear fixed I have had no problems at all with the left knee and in fact will be going back to him again to fix a problem with the right knee.

TommyKnocker

Hi All

FlipperThePriest has an appointment with a physio. So lets leave all possible diagnosis and possible treatment advice to the trained & qualified professionals please.


Best Regards,

M

TommyKnocker

Tootle wrote: »

Noted and apologies, I over stepped the mark. Bad habit!
PS in fairness to the OP he had already stated that he was going to see a Physio. And looking for information on a forum is no worse than looking up a website.

Hi Tootle

I noticed that the OP stated that he was going to see a physio, but then the rest of his post read like it was asking for confirmation of his self diagnosis or possibly a different diagnosis. Also the site which hosts the forum he chose to post on has a site wide rule as well as charters in every forum against seeking or giving medical advice. And 99.999999% of the time posts that stray into that grey area which could be considered "Medical Advice" will see a moderator advising the poster of the rules and/or closing the thread.


Best Regards,

M

PerrinV2

Just wondering what exercises are good to improve the knee?
I had my ACL done a few years back but had to stop my physio/recovery half way through as I got really sick.