My OS suggested issues could occur with hips. He said learn to walk "straight" first with the cane than limp and stress the hips while limping.Quote:
Originally Posted by soonerstacy
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My OS suggested issues could occur with hips. He said learn to walk "straight" first with the cane than limp and stress the hips while limping.Quote:
Originally Posted by soonerstacy
Yes in the knee. I also had excruciating foot/ankle pain when I first starting fwb/walking again. Now its pain in the knee, strange because the first 2 weeks of fwb/walking, i had no knee pain, just swelling.Quote:
Originally Posted by soonerstacy
The cane helps you work on getting a normal gait again. Don't want to limp around forever.
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Just a little inspiration for those who are trying to recover from this serious injury. There is a light at the end of this tunnel we all now know as TPF. Trust me it's does get better. I'm now 4 months post surgery,FWB, for the last 30 days. I just wanted to mention that today I went hiking on a trail that's called breakneck ridge trail. The difficulty level is considered strenuous even for the active hiker. It's a 1500 foot climb to the summit with amazing views of the Hudson river and local bridges and castles. The very start of the trail puts you going up a very ste rocky ridge line. You continue climbing ever more steep until you reach the summit. It's all up hill rock climbing with the occasional drop offs of more then 800+ feet along the side of me as i climbed. The first 15 I was soaked from sweat and thinking what if I get half way and can't go no further. But soon I told myself I will accomplish this feet and had no doubt. Don't get me wrong it was extremely tough and require great use of my bad leg. But with each step felt more confident. There was a little pain along the way but nothing terrible and the bones felt real strong. Once at the top you follow the trail to the descent side of the mountain. It gets very steep and loose at times, I just took my time and made sure of each step. The overall hiking route i took was 3.5 miles and took 3.5 hrs to complete with taking lunch along the way and stopping for some of the most amazing photos on cliffs edges. My whole point here is with a lot of hard work and determination you all can get threw this injury and come out the other side pretty well off. I walk everyday even when at the beginning there was discomfort, you have to push threw it, it will get better and strengthen your leg. I always kept up with my PT and did it at home on the days I was not there. Once your os gives fwb and he does know best for you all, even if you do doubt him at times, get out and on the leg. I used the cane for my first 3 days of fwb to regain my walk and confidence. The cane also retrains your brain your walking gate without any limping. If you learn to walk again with a limp, this is how your brain interprets it and it's hard to loose the limp. Just wanted to inspire those who are down, it gets better! My injury was no less then some of the worse on here. Double spiral fracture length of tibia, displaced plateau, multiple breaks in the plateau, much of which was removed cause it was so smashed and then filled with bone filler. My range of motion is 125 flex and 4 ext. It keeps improving but much more slowly now. Anyways best of luck to you all and speedy recovery!
That's great to hear, thanks for posting. I was starting to wonder about FWB and ROM. I have my 12 week OS appointment on Thursday and I have been NWB up until now. I'm wondering if he is going to allow me to try weight bearing. My worry is that I'm only at 95 flex and 5 or 6 ext with my ROM - how am I going to FWB on a leg that doesn't go straight?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dgw3369
I'm guessing most of you have been in the same position but I haven't read anything specifically on that issue. I guess these are the things that go through your mind while waiting to see what the next step is going to be... (pun intended!)
I asked a similar question to OS, and I believe his reply was that under 10 extension was good enough to walk without limp. I think that is what I heard, at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by scotiadallas
Regardless, I want to get to 0.
:( I am 57 years young and I have Fibromyalgia, I was visiting my Daughter/Son-in-Law and Grandchildren on 2/20/2012 and fell off their top step outside their home onto some rocks. I shattered my tibial plateau, clean break below on tibia and fibia, I had to have a fachiotomy and then a skin graft to go over the large gap and the exposed muscles from the faciotomy . I have several screws holding pieces together on tibial plateau and much more hardware on tibia/fibia. I have been 100% weight bearing for 8 weeks now and I too have swelling in ankle and leg/knee and pain. My hardest part of my PT is bending knee! With the Fibromyalga and breaks I am in agony on most days!:( I am told by PT that I have minimum of 2 more Months! The PT says even when I finish PT, I may need my walker for awhile, however, I will be able to drive again!
What I would like to know (I ran out of room on last post) is if anyone has the same break and problems? And did anyone have still use walker when released from PT? And why the use of walker after PT release? And any info that could help me?
THANK YOU!:):confused:
Based on the comment of "hard to bend", If you are fwb now, but not walking, maybe the reason for walker after PT is to help with actual walking while all of the leg/foot muscles return to strength and full coordination.Quote:
Originally Posted by UUNICORN LADY
It appears even after typical PT, many struggle with walking without assistance for a bit.
Today was my first day of physical therapy 3 times a week, I had been going twice a week. I got to 100 degrees of flexsion today!!!!!!!! Very excited considering I started at 40 degrees flexlsion and my knee was stuck at 25 degrees of extention. I'm still on two crutches but today was the first time I was able to hold all my gerth on my bad leg....if only for a very brief moment. I'm feeling stronger every day and am hoping to graduate to one crutch very soon. Good luck to everyone!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by global_dev
Yes I am walking with walker 100% weight bearing in PT.
The comment from you was helpful though so Thank You!
Quote:
Originally Posted by greg33
Good Luck to you Hon, sounds like you are doing great!:)
Hi
I was just looking for info regarding how long the average healing process takes. My 14 yr old daughter was hit by a boat propeller and sustained a communited open tib/fib fracture (of the plateau) as well as extensive soft tissue damage, a great deal of muscle damage (to the anterior tibialis) she also had a gastrocnemius flap to cover the 2 titanium posts and screws put on her tibia, and she has had 3 skin grafts to cover areas where skin/tissue suffered necrosis. I know chances of someone having similar injuries is small, but wa hoping for an idea of best/worst case scenarios for recovery time. Many thanks
Hi all. I'm 57 and suffered a TPF, ACL and meniscus damage on 3/18. Had surgery on 3/21, 2 plates 13 screws and meniscus graph. Dr called injury a perfect storm. NWB for 12 weeks in PT 3 times a week until two weeks ago. 4 month check X-rays showed knee collapse and necrosis so now surgeon wants to remove the hardware in Sept. to be followed by knee replacement after its healed. Scares the crap out of me and it looks like I have a long road ahead after almost 5 months of hell. Going for a second opinion to be safe. Any suggestions to get through it are welcome!
I also wanted to ask if anyone with hardware experiences numbing and tingling sensations in the lower leg and foot. The color of my leg is still darker than my left. Doc says it takes a year for normal coloration to return. Has anyone had hardware removed just six months later? Don't know what to expect after its out with the condition my knee is in..
Ouch that's a nasty injury, poor thing. Are you finding that her Orthopedic surgeon isn't very forthcoming with a lot of information? I'm having the same experience and beginning to think all surgeons are that way. Being young may help your daughter's recovery go faster but I would still think it will take quite some time. As you can see from other posts that recovery time is individual and involves many factors. Best wishes for your daughter's recovery.
A week ago Thursday (July 26th) was my 11 month anniversary of my bike accident (crushed tibial plateau, broken tib/fib, and torn meniscus & ACL). It was also my "one year" post-op follow up with my surgeon, Dr. Lori Fulkerson. If I could add to her list of credentials it would say something like, "Assists with shocking and inspiring come backs".
Lori was just that, shocked. She said, "When I opened you up 11 months ago I was looking at every surgeon's worst nightmare. Crushed bone. I am absolutely blown away at how well you've healed and how far you've come. The contours at the top of the lateral plateau are really nice. You can see it's a little more depressed on this side than the other, but it's smooth and even and that's what we wanted. Your femur can glide easily right along that grove and depression. You should be fine for at least another 25 years. Really good, Erin. As I move your knee around it's clicking a bit and I think that's just the hardware not the joint. That protrusion on the lateral side is from three screw heads going into your plateau through the plate. It's not deformation or bone growth. All that will go away when you get the metal out."
Needless to say, Alon and I were elated to hear all of this. Put my mind at ease!
We went through some routine questions...
Lori: Any aches, pains, swelling?
Erin: Below my knee cap, along the plateau aches sometimes but it's not debilitating in any way. Recently I had some serious pain in the soft tissues behind my knee and in the upper calf and lower hamstring. Hurt to the gentlest touch. It was worked out by 90 minutes of deep tissue massage (Rolfing). It swells up the day after I run.
Lori: Run! (jaw hits the floor) What...?!
Erin: Since mid-April I've been running 30 seconds on 30 seconds off for about 10 minutes on the treadmill at the gym. I stop if ever I feel the slightest bit of pain.
Lori: Well, don't make a habit of that. Running will not be good for you in the long run.
Erin: I hear ya. Running is not my thing really. But there is freedom in knowing I can if I had to, like run away from a bad person, save some lady's pocketbook from a mugger, run to the car or up a flight of stairs. Also I might do a 5-10 minute run in the mornings every once in a while, once I'm up to it. But really nothing more than that.
Lori: Ok, that's fine. I still can't believe you've started running. That's really great. So, what else are you doing for exercise? Are you still doing physical therapy?
Erin: I stopped seeing April in, well, about April, and started seeing Lori at the same office. Been doing 30 minutes of intense Pilates with Lori 1-2 per week. Now I go every other week, simply because it gets expensive. I'd go twice a week if I could afford it. It's done wonders for my strength, flexibility, and confidence. In my knee, and everywhere else. Relearning neurological pathways, balance, and how to recruit more muscle in this left leg. It's been incredibly educational and eye-opening. I love it. I'm trying to get back to the gym to do my regular workouts but I've been enjoying the summer break. I bike commute about 5 miles per day. I've been hiking a bit this summer and went on a four day camping and white water rafting trip a few weeks ago. That was the end all be all celebration for me!
Lori: That's awesome, Erin. Keep it up. Next time you call me, it'll be three to six months from now and you can just schedule your surgery to get the hardware out.
Erin: That's great! Okay. Are we still looking at a 2-6 week recovery for that?
Lori: Yes. The operation will take about 1 hour. At this point I don't forsee any added surgeries or procedures. Just removing the plate and six screws. The incision will heal in about 2 weeks; you'll be on crutches, weight bearing of course. Nothing like before, but I'm sure you'll be triggered. I'll have you go back to PT for at least 4 weeks to make sure you don't lose any of your range of motion and to keep your confidence strong.
Erin: Okay. That sounds good. Thinking or talking about my accident, and even just coming to this appointment today still creates a very visceral experience for me. I guess it's starting to lessen in intesity and frequency so that's nice. But everything is still so "right there". As much as I want and need the metal out, I'm glad that I can go a few more months without thinking about surgery. It'll be easier on my wallet, too.
See more about my journey over the last year at http://erindoingit.blogspot.com/
Good luck everyone! Keep it real! And keep a positive spirit! :-)
Wow! That does sound bad with necrosis and such!:(
As my previous post stated I shattered my tibial plateau and I mean shattered! My Doc said it was a 9 out of 10 and the worst he had seen!:( I am ok on all else in PT accept bending knee? After reading Posts I am wondering if it is due to so many screws and hardware?
Any input anyone?:confused:
Good Luck and a speedy recovery to all!:wink:
Update: Went to the doctor to inquire about knee pain. Doc says it's due to the bone still healing and the increase in pressure i am putting on the fracture sight as i walk more and more. Xrays still negative. Said to see him in 4 weeks if pain does not subside. I don't know what to think now. Is anyone experiencing knee pain near fracture site after being cleared for fwb? I am contemplating getting a second opinion now.Quote:
Originally Posted by soonerstacy
My insurance only paid for a part of it. It's not too expensive though. You can probably find one at walmart, etc. Or a umbrella with cane handle?
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So I'm around 12 weeks post op. my first pt visit was 2 weeks ago and I could flex almost 90* and I was -10* extension. As of yesterday, I am 95* flex and 0 extension. He said I'm doing well and that he could tell I've been doing my exercises. Funny thing, I don't. I know I should but I rarely remember. I'm trying now tho! Or going to try! I have another dr appt tomorrow and he's supposed to release me to pwb. And I start pool therapy on Monday. Kinda scared for it to be honest :( I don't have too much pain anymore. Just a LoT of soreness! My body is constantly weak and drained and I'm constantly tired! I'm sure it'll get better as i can start to move around more. Anyway. Off to lunch with my mom! Hope all of you have a better day than yesterday! Cause it only gets better :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by UUNICORN LADY
I can straighten leg perfectly but bending with no pain is 70 degrees and with pain (forcing) at 87 degrees? I have high arch in feet so lots of pain in (left leg injured) left side of foot and ankle and of course knee/underside of knee and plateau where I shattered.
I am 5mths 2 weeks from surgery? The site were faciotomy was on left side of (L) leg and along shin and
I have numbness and weird to touch, knee/below knee, shin, left at faciotomy and right on scars from surgery?Quote:
Originally Posted by UUNICORN LADY
THANK YOU FOR ANY ADVISE, SUGGESTIONS, OR IF ANYONE EXPERIENCING SAME AS ME!! :confused:
Thank you! I hope your recovery goes quickly too. My daughter says she has tingling sensation (like pins and needles) on left side of foot and ankle, especially when touched, and no movement allowed to knee for at least 3 more weeks and then poss weight bearing some time in Sept. I do think her age and thankfully wonderful attitude will help with healing, but after reading many of these posts I have to say I am somewhat discouraged by the amount of time healing of this type of injury seems to take. I wish a speedy recovery for everyone suffering with this injury!Quote:
Originally Posted by Casper2012
recovery time of this type of injury definitely doesn't provoke endorphin highs... but it is forward progressing, slow and steady...Quote:
Originally Posted by Macey
Macey;3707393] My daughter says she has tingling sensation (like pins and needles) on left side of foot and ankle, especially when touched, but after reading many of these posts I have to say I am somewhat discouraged by the amount of time healing of this type of injury seems to take. I wish a speedy recovery for everyone suffering with this injury![/QUOTE]
"I have numbness and weird to touch, knee/below knee, shin, left at faciotomy and right on scars from surgery?"
Yes, same with weird feeling, and another post said pain left side of foot and ankle(left leg injury) and I too have but PT said it was probably because of my high arch, so unless who posted about foot/ankle pain also has high arch, maybe that is normal in recovery? :confused:
I am 22 weeks out from surgery and yes it is a long haul on recovery, however, each accomplishment is so rewarding!:cool: Just jeep your eyes on the prize, which is walking again!!!:wink: My only struggle right now is knee and bending?:( I see my Doc today and plan on discussing about that and if my hardware is the problem?:confused:
I will update all later!:wink:
Hope everyone's recovery is speedy and rewarding, keep your spirits high!:)
Quick Update:
Date of Injury 4/20/12
Surgery 4/27/12
Type IV TPF with 1+" communited depression of the plateau surface
1 - Fx's Tibial Shaft
Shattered medial meniscus
I can't begin to explain how much progress I made with ROM on the bike. I'm not sure who said point your toe to get around but by god it worked and now little by little I'm going around both ways! I was at 94 degrees and now 2 weeks later up to 110. PT is deff a slow process but a few weeks ago I didn't think I'd get to 100. I've been tightening my quad while laying on the bed 5 times at 10 seconds or more to increase some strength and the general heel slides & band work. Still can't use weight to train. Also, went swimming a few times felt great flutter kicked about 13 laps. I'm now FWB one crutch around in the morning then go back to two in the afternoon (kinda tired and it feels weak). Mostly ankle and foot pain at night now taking Ibuprofen it seems to work ok for that. Still numb all around the plate area and once in a while when I'm trying out a new excerise a nerve pain shoots up for a couple days. They say thats a good thing that its stimulated to wake up. Overall, progressing at a slow pace but at least its going. Hope everyone's hanging tough at least we have eachother! God Bless & Keep up the fight! ~ Deana