Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery

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Originally Posted by fncrutchesrnofun

"2 weeks more and I have 6 week appointment with my surgeon with an xray - hoping for good news and the go ahead for PWB to begin. Not holding my breath as it seems. from people here, that this may need to wait until 8 weeks."
I just had my first PT appt last week. One of the most important things he told me is that a tibial plateau fracture, once repaired, has to have time to heal. We have one shot at getting back to "normalcy" and if we push it too hard or re injure it than we are toast. Being an active person ( I am a nurse anesthetist, mother of 3 and former daily runner) I have to keep in mind what the PT told me. Now is the time to be patient and that's difficult for people like myself. I am 7 weeks out and won't be able to drive for another 6-7 weeks. As much as it kills me to inconvenience other people to drive me around, I know that I am a liability if I get in an accident because I am driving too soon. Patience everyone...This forum is so helpful!

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There is a great degree of variance between doctors and obviously a great variance in TPFs
My Doctor wanted me in PT weekly at 2 weeks post op working on flexion, extension and muscle tone. (All NWB of course.) I was happy to have things to work on to occupy some time.
Patience - yup I soooo agree, but not easy.
Like you, my days were long and full and 100% standing. (I am a Veterinarian, single mom with 2 (older so not too difficult) kids and 5 dogs - more difficult then the kids!!)
Fear is also part of my battle right now. With this injury, I worry a lot that I won't be able to work, which is my love and passion, without pain...I know I can't/shouldn't think like this, but with so much time on my hands my mind goes here. That light, at the end of the tunnel, is not yet visible for me.
I agree, this forum is insightful and helpful.

fncrutchesrnofun: First of all, I love your screen name!! I agree whole heartedly. I will be 13 weeks next Thursday, and am still not weight bearing, and not driving (right leg), and it stinks! I was given the go ahead to start ROM at 8 or 9 weeks. The pt came to my home once and showed me exercises I can do to increase my ROM. I'm currently at 115 degrees. The pt came back this week and was very surprised at the ROM. My next appointment is next Thursday. If I don't get pwb, I will go nuts!!!

Also, for anyone who is not aware, there is a facebook group for tpf
if you're interested.

I don't use Facebook. Nor do I want to use Facebook. Has the conversation left here for Facebook? I hope not. When I injured myself, this forum was the only place that I got ANY sort of information (my surgeon is great, but doesn't explain much). Now that I'm nine months from surgery I don't feel so off kilter, but I still like to read here.

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Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Also, for anyone who is not aware, there is a facebook group for tpf
if you're interested.

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Originally Posted by bluwav43

Hello all, new here so bare with me...had a fracture in Oct. 2012, had keee surgery, steel plates and screws put in, got past all the bed time, cruthes, propped up leg stuff..knee is doing great...but..now my foot is swollen and will not go down no matter what I try......doctor is confused as well...anyone else run into this situation...I'm open to all replies...thanks, God Bless.

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It took a while for the swelling to go down in my ankle - it was huge for 2-3 weeks - especially when I started walking again. The only thing that helps is to elevate and ice. On the weekend it blew up again, but that's cause I went for a walk on the beach for the first time since the op.

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Originally Posted by imajypsee

I don't use Facebook. Nor do I want to use Facebook. Has the conversation left here for Facebook? I hope not. When I injured myself, this forum was the only place that I got ANY sort of information (my surgeon is great, but doesn't explain much). Now that I'm nine months from surgery I don't feel so off kilter, but I still like to read here.

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I joined the Facebook group and I think it is very helpful and more active then this forum. Conversation is much faster and responsive. I recommend it highly. Just search "tibial plateau fracture..." It's a closed group so you have to request membership from the gal who started it, but she is VERY quick to respond and accept.

:dork: Lateral, Type-ll. Tibial Plateau Fx. with depression, plates and screws. 8 weeks out now. off all pain meds. Ranging 0-90 actively, no swelling, and pain is pretty much restricted to a tiny portion of my suture line that was slightly damaged by the bledsoe brace while crutching, and is about 99% healed, but it has taken 4weeks and the healing is slower than i would like. (think i had it positioned incorrectly). Quads, hams, and ankle are strengthening nicely, but i'm hesitant to really horke down on my ranging until this suture line is at 100%. I have been unable to see a doctor for any follow-up or Post-Op visit, due to my lack of insurance, so after 11 days i removed the staples without incident, however, determining how far to push and when has been my bane. It feels great when i put it to the ground now and there is no pain from the plateau area(as far as the plateau surface is concerned) i hav began doing toe and heel touching, wouldn't really call it weight bearing, but just to get used to the feel of the ground agian it feels great but i don't want to push too hard too fast on that depressed area without the x-ray, but i was in a external fixator for 17 days to stabilize before the definitive surgery(ORIF with grafting, plate and screws) on Dec. 21 so it's really been 11 weeks of imobolization so I'm concerned about the stiffness and my ability to re-gain full range though i couldn't be in better physical shape or health....Really wingin-it here, any advice or comments appreciated :confused:

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Originally Posted by Thedude1

:dork: Lateral, Type-ll. Tibial Plateau Fx. with depression, plates and screws. 8 weeks out now. off all pain meds. Ranging 0-90 actively, no swelling, and pain is pretty much restricted to a tiny portion of my suture line that was slightly damaged by the bledsoe brace while crutching, and is about 99% healed, but it has taken 4weeks and the healing is slower than i would like. (think i had it positioned incorrectly). Quads, hams, and ankle are strengthening nicely, but i'm hesitant to really horke down on my ranging until this suture line is at 100%. I have been unable to see a doctor for any follow-up or Post-Op visit, due to my lack of insurance, so after 11 days i removed the staples without incident, however, determining how far to push and when has been my bane. It feels great when i put it to the ground now and there is no pain from the plateau area(as far as the plateau surface is concerned) i hav began doing toe and heel touching, wouldn't really call it weight bearing, but just to get used to the feel of the ground agian it feels great but i don't want to push too hard too fast on that depressed area without the x-ray, but i was in a external fixator for 17 days to stabilize before the definitive surgery(ORIF with grafting, plate and screws) on Dec. 21 so it's really been 11 weeks of imobolization so I'm concerned about the stiffness and my ability to re-gain full range though i couldn't be in better physical shape or health....Really wingin-it here, any advice or comments appreciated :confused:

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I am still waiting to start PWB (5 weeks post op)...here's what my PT and OS say:
OS - No WB until an Xray can confirm proper healing/alignment - there is no way to tell without it. NWB time-frame is usually 8 weeks but can be up to 3 months or more with severe injury (sounds like yours was on severe end?)
PT - muscle tone (quad/calf) and leg extension/flexibility need to be in place prior to WB for best chances of preventing injury and limp. You can find quad isolating exercises on line. You need to gradually stretch out all the tendons in the back of your leg - remember you walk heel toe and you can't do that without the the ability to properly extend your leg equal to your good leg. (Range of motion very important)
You want to daily/gently massage your incision (if 100% closed/healed) to break up scar tissue and adhesions - this will help skin move without pain.

The PWB, from what I read, is as tolerated (PWT) and usually over 4-6 weeks until fully weight bearing - this does NOT mean 100% recovered, just able to bear 100% weight on bad leg.

DO not rush things - the other thing I read everywhere is that if you do not heal this properly the first time, it will never heal properly. It's a one shot deal.

Hope this helps. I am NOT a doctor, just passing on some info on what was told to me....sorry about not having insurance, but I would find a way to get a follow up Xray.

I DON'T and WON'T use Facebook. I'm glad I'm over the initial part of the TPF issues because, as I feared, the discussion has, sadly, gone behind a wall.

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Originally Posted by smillerdvm

I joined the Facebook group and I think it is very helpful and more active then this forum. Conversation is much faster and responsive. I recommend it highly. Just search "tibial plateau fracture..." It's a closed group so you have to request membership from the gal who started it, but she is VERY quick to respond and accept.

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Have you been refused medical help? Or are you worried about the cost and not seeking help? I don't think any DR would refuse to see you and I can tell you that my surgeon's cost for an X-ray and office visit was less than $200.

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Originally Posted by Thedude1

:dork: Lateral, Type-ll. Tibial Plateau Fx. with depression, plates and screws. 8 weeks out now. off all pain meds. Ranging 0-90 actively, no swelling, and pain is pretty much restricted to a tiny portion of my suture line that was slightly damaged by the bledsoe brace while crutching, and is about 99% healed, but it has taken 4weeks and the healing is slower than i would like. (think i had it positioned incorrectly). Quads, hams, and ankle are strengthening nicely, but i'm hesitant to really horke down on my ranging until this suture line is at 100%. I have been unable to see a doctor for any follow-up or Post-Op visit, due to my lack of insurance, so after 11 days i removed the staples without incident, however, determining how far to push and when has been my bane. It feels great when i put it to the ground now and there is no pain from the plateau area(as far as the plateau surface is concerned) i hav began doing toe and heel touching, wouldn't really call it weight bearing, but just to get used to the feel of the ground agian it feels great but i don't want to push too hard too fast on that depressed area without the x-ray, but i was in a external fixator for 17 days to stabilize before the definitive surgery(ORIF with grafting, plate and screws) on Dec. 21 so it's really been 11 weeks of imobolization so I'm concerned about the stiffness and my ability to re-gain full range though i couldn't be in better physical shape or health....Really wingin-it here, any advice or comments appreciated :confused:

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Originally Posted by smillerdvm

I am still waiting to start PWB (5 weeks post op)...here's what my PT and OS say:
OS - No WB until an Xray can confirm proper healing/alignment - there is no way to tell without it. NWB time-frame is usually 8 weeks but can be up to 3 months or more with severe injury (sounds like yours was on severe end?)
PT - muscle tone (quad/calf) and leg extension/flexibility need to be in place prior to WB for best chances of preventing injury and limp. You can find quad isolating exercises on line. You need to gradually stretch out all the tendons in the back of your leg - remember you walk heel toe and you can't do that without the the ability to properly extend your leg equal to your good leg. (Range of motion very important)
You want to daily/gently massage your incision (if 100% closed/healed) to break up scar tissue and adhesions - this will help skin move without pain.

The PWB, from what I read, is as tolerated (PWT) and usually over 4-6 weeks until fully weight bearing - this does NOT mean 100% recovered, just able to bear 100% weight on bad leg.

DO not rush things - the other thing I read everywhere is that if you do not heal this properly the first time, it will never heal properly. It's a one shot deal.

Hope this helps. I am NOT a doctor, just passing on some info on what was told to me....sorry about not having insurance, but I would find a way to get a follow up Xray.

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thanks for the feedback smillerdvm: good advice on the incision massage, my injury was a severe one, however, Imediately following the accident i was able to "reset" my leg, restoring circulation and kinda snapping things back into place, which my OS said is the reason i managed to escape without any ligament, tendon, or nerve damage, but it's still a type ll. with depressed bone, well even if i am unable to get the ex-ray, it looks as though i am much better off waiting the full 12weeksNWB before i go PWB at all. I'm in peak physical condition so i think i would rather gamble on waiting it out and deal with the stiffness or even possibly losing some range rather than take a chance on compromising any possibility for a positive outcome at all. i do have 0 degrees down like a champ and i'm already flexing at 90 so...Guess that's a no-brainer...hell it's been 11weeks, another three certainly isn't going to kill me..hopefully you are getting some better sleep, my girlfriend picked me up one of those little neck pillows(shaped like a big bent jelly bean) which was not what i asked for but just what the doctor ordered...not only did it save my poor aching hiney, but i would also put it under my thigh as high as it would go and then elevate the ankle with another pillow and that offered some relief while trying to sleep. I believe that 2 of the most important factors in healing are sleep and mental attitude, i know it stinks but maybe a stronger sleeping pill is in order if nec. and laugh every chance you get, it really is the best medicine and attitude is everything, always stay positive and believe in your ability to heal yourself, (besides all those animals are counting on you, and i'm not just talkin about your family lol) thank you again, and everyone else for sharing your experiences. Hope you get your PWB status soon and Happy Belated, maybe next years will make up for it...Heal Fast :wink:

6 months post surgery- time for an update

First off, thank you Altrunner for your post, you made my primary caregivers cry (wife, sister-in-law and mother-in-law). Wonderful post.

I did ask my OS at one point exactly what I did to my knee at about my 3 month appt. (what type, what did I do, etc.). I was basically whisked off the side of a mountain and into hospitals and surgeries not really knowing, and heavily drugged, what I actually did to my knee. He said he did not like to use the traditional scale but if he did I would classify my injury as a Type V (not a type VI as I did not fracture the shaft). So, I fractured the lateral side (probably displaced, don't know) and shattered the medial side and tore my meniscus. I think I may have dislocated the knee as well but am not sure, it felt dislocated when it happened. So I have a couple of plates and some screws.

So, I just went in for my 6 month checkup last week. The comment by the PA was she was amazed that my leg has healed so straight. I don't think that I was ever informed that it would not but I guess that is good news. She asked me if I had been running yet and I think I looked at her like she was crazy. I told her no and that I was doing some step stuff at PT and doing some insanity videos at home. The OS came in and looked at the x-rays, tested the leg for any possible ligament issues and watched me walk around. He said looks great and he'll see me again in 6 months. I was taken aback a bit as my wife was instructed that I was going to see him every 4 to 6 weeks until a year. As quickly as the appointments happen, I came to my senses and asked about skiing. He said "yeah, skiing's fine, do whatever you want". I about hit the floor. Talk about a freeing moment.

Needless to say, I went skiing on Saturday with my son. The knee held up fine. I wore a brace even though they don't really do anything but give you psychological comfort. The knee felt good, as good as a sore stiff knee feels, on Sunday morning so I packed up the car and came home. No reason to push it.

I also put about 40 miles on my street bike when we had a couple day spell of good weather a few weeks ago. That felt wonderful as well, very liberating.

It seems like a long way from the external fixator to now. I still can't believe all of this. I truly feel blessed to be walking and functioning somewhat normally. I have been blessed with a wonderful family and a wonderful doctor. I am not a religious person but when I look back on the whole series of events that have transpired, there is somewhat of a feeling of divine intervention. But for the grace of god go I.

That being said, my knee is still in pain all day everyday. It is stiff, sore and still numb. My leg muscles still have a ways to go. I will continue on with PT until at least a year from the accident if not longer. I will continue to have massages as they have become an integral part of my recovery process.

My ROM was 134 last week and my good leg is about 140-142. So close but yet so far.

I am no longer on any pain medication other than Ibuprofen. I have had a few sleepless weeks but not a big deal. I am glad I took the pain meds as long as I did because I needed them.

I am going up to ski again this weekend and hopefully things just keep progressing.

So, I will continue to keep on keepin on.

Thanks again everyone for all of your posts. They definitely keep me going.

So excited!! :D My physio had me on a mini trampoline on Monday jogging on one spot. It felt completely weird i.e. like how it felt walking again...however, that's just another step closer until I'm back to running. The next two weeks I'm to work on bouncing off one foot onto the other via versa - this mimics the running movement. I'm to do this in the pool as it's not to stressful for my knee.

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Originally Posted by fncrutchesrnofun

I am also around your same age and had a similar brake, also my first ever. I was skiing on Dec 28th, caught an edge and heard a pop from my right leg. I thought for sure I had either an MCL or ACL injury. I was able to painfully ski to the bottom of the mountain and assuming I had ligament damage, I spent the next 2 days on the couch with ice/elevation. I also have an active job..I am a nurse anesthetist and a former runner of 5 miles daily. I was shocked to find out that I had a tibial plateau fx and had surgery on 1/1/13. I also had trouble sleeping. After 11 days the only pain med I would take was at night so I could sleep. I am resigned to the fact that I will not be able to return to work until April at least. Mederma is the best scar cream and there is one that has SPF 50 in it...definitely need SPF if applying scar cream. I am 5 weeks out now and will be another 3 weeks non weight bearing. Hoping I get the OK to do bike or anything even close to aerobic exercise! I succumbed to renting a wheelchair...it enables me to go places that are too much for crutch walking and I use it at home to carry things from place to place. The one I rented also has a leg rest that I can elevate while sitting. Best of Luck...By the way...Is there anyone out there that is running again after a tibial plateau fracture? My orthopedic surgeon thinks that I will be able to...

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It was a bit nuts, perhaps, but what I did to maintain some physical fitness while on crutches was to crutch up and down stairs, and crutch around the neighborhood as fast as I could. This actually worked quite well, breaking into a sweat and giving a heart rate of up to 150 bpm! I tried running at about 6 months, but knee was uncomfortable, so I instead hit the spin bikes and elliptical machines. Just tried running again today (I'm at 10-1/2 months now) for 10 minutes at 6 mph. Felt Ok, just the usual feeling I have all the time, like a big rubber band is tight around my knee. For me, this injury is just taking a lot of time to heal, and I don't have young age on my side ;) Take care!

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Originally Posted by imajypsee

Have you been refused medical help? Or are you worried about the cost and not seeking help? I don't think any DR would refuse to see you and I can tell you that my surgeon's cost for an X-ray and office visit was less than $200.

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I was forced to leave NYC (i was doing storm-recovery work) immediately after surgery because i live in Tampa and had no one to care for me after being released from the hospital, i was unaware how difficult it would be to get seen by a new doctor here at home, post-op, no doctor wants to take over for someone elses work. I'm like a dog with fleas, even though i'm having no complications. i've been refused by every OS i've called but one(Florida orthopedics inst.) and the minimum charge to be seen is $300.00 and they won't even set my appt. until they put a $3000.00 hold on the credit card that i don't even possess. As a Licensed and liability insured Arborist, i wasn't employing anyone else so i am workman's comp. exempt and carry an exemption that allows me to operate legally but unfortunately does not cover medical liability in the event that i am personally injured. Basically, lack of personal medical insurance combined with my unwillingness to be litigious and file suit against the home-owner of the property and/or the company that i contracted the work from has left me holding the ball with no where to run. If i had some complications i could go to the emergency room, but it's stable and looks great, the pain is 0-2 only from stiffness and a small portion of the incision that is being a bit stubborn yet, (because i abrased it slightly against the brace-brackets in week 3), is nearly 100% now. But go ahead and ask your doctor if he would see me, if he is an honest man, you may be surprised by his answer. The moral of the story...Cover your ass...mine wasn't. No doctor wants to see "self-pay" (or work for nothing, as they see it). Frankly, I feel very fortunate that i survived such a horrific accident and have gotten this far...and in my mind, still have an opportunity for a full recovery. Both my surgeons were extremely competent and appear to have done some fine work, so now the success of over $200,000.00 of medical treatment and the fate of my knee, seem to be hinging on a throw of the dice...:cool:

Just got a call from my mother who informs me that she booked me an appt. at Florida Orthopedics for tomorrow at 1 p.m.... so siked...thanx mom! Guess my throw of the dice is lucky 7...finally some answers:biggrin:

Now 14.5 weeks post surgery and WBAT. Using crutches since Feb 7 and putting about 60% of my weight in the leg. I have been fortunate to have only minimal pain since 5 days post-op and now use Tylenol or Advil only occasionally, usually after a particularly hard pt session. ROM is 0 to 123 an sped pt expects further improvement.

Made my first solo outing this week -- drove myself to pt and hone. What a great feeling to have managed that. Back at work since late January but am able to work seated.

My goal is to be using a cane by mid-March.

Type IV fracture left leg - started with external fixator and then ORIF.

A: SUE! That's what they have insurance for. The natural reaction after we injure ourselves is "how could I have done this to myself?" when, really, it was an accident. In your case, it was an accident that occurred when you were doing work necessary to get out from under storm related cleanup. It's not the same thing as taking down some branches that the homeowner decided to remove.

B: I'm glad your mother has obtained an appointment for you. You do need that X-ray to assess your healing.

Now, go get some insurance. You rolled the dice and have ended up with a big bill (unless and until you sue).

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Originally Posted by Thedude1

I was forced to leave NYC (i was doing storm-recovery work) immediately after surgery because i live in Tampa and had no one to care for me after being released from the hospital, i was unaware how difficult it would be to get seen by a new doctor here at home, post-op, no doctor wants to take over for someone elses work. I'm like a dog with fleas, even though i'm having no complications. i've been refused by every OS i've called but one(Florida orthopedics inst.) and the minimum charge to be seen is $300.00 and they won't even set my appt. until they put a $3000.00 hold on the credit card that i don't even possess. As a Licensed and liability insured Arborist, i wasn't employing anyone else so i am workman's comp. exempt and carry an exemption that allows me to operate legally but unfortunately does not cover medical liability in the event that i am personally injured. Basically, lack of personal medical insurance combined with my unwillingness to be litigious and file suit against the home-owner of the property and/or the company that i contracted the work from has left me holding the ball with no where to run. If i had some complications i could go to the emergency room, but it's stable and looks great, the pain is 0-2 only from stiffness and a small portion of the incision that is being a bit stubborn yet, (because i abrased it slightly against the brace-brackets in week 3), is nearly 100% now. But go ahead and ask your doctor if he would see me, if he is an honest man, you may be surprised by his answer. The moral of the story...Cover your ass...mine wasn't. No doctor wants to see "self-pay" (or work for nothing, as they see it). Frankly, I feel very fortunate that i survived such a horrific accident and have gotten this far...and in my mind, still have an opportunity for a full recovery. Both my surgeons were extremely competent and appear to have done some fine work, so now the success of over $200,000.00 of medical treatment and the fate of my knee, seem to be hinging on a throw of the dice...:cool:

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Something to help you: go to Time.com and read the article "Bitter Pill" regarding why medical bills are so disparate and why you'll likely be paying a fictional cost for your surgery, etc. One of the points of the article is the way Medicare pays (based on actual costs, comparable costs, etc) and the fact that most hospitals (all, probably) don't and won't make their charges public (they maintain a master list called the "chargemaster"). My hospital bill was $58,880; Medicare paid allowed $8144 and paid $6988. My private insurance paid $1156. There were charges for the surgeon and inpatient procedures not included that were paid by my private insurance, but at a rate significantly lower than the bill.

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Originally Posted by Thedude1

Just got a call from my mother who informs me that she booked me an appt. at Florida Orthopedics for tomorrow at 1 p.m.... so siked...thanx mom! Guess my throw of the dice is lucky 7...finally some answers:biggrin:

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Just FYI for any one who finds this forum. There is also a Face book page which can be found under "Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery". It is closed, but all you need to do is request joining. Liza is very prompt and will accept without further questions. It's just one more avenue of support that is nothing but fun, informative and helpful. i highly recommend it.

I just reached 6 months out from my Type II Lateral displaced TPF. Surgery was August 31st. 1 Plate and 4 Screws. I was NWB for 8 weeks followed by PWB for 4 more weeks. Started walking on my own after 12 weeks. Currently doing pretty much everything, except running. I would say my leg feels about 85%. Stiff in morning and gets pretty normal by about Noon. My flex is 144 and extension between 1 & 2. Strength is what I am working on now and from what I understand it can be a few years before it comes 100%. Still getting a little bit better week to week, which is what I judeged my progress by. To everyone, just hang in there and keep chugging along. It continues to get better, just a long heal.

thanks for all of your input, Dr. Sagi at Florida Orthepedics said my OS did a great job!! Ranging 0-95 incision is finally good so i can really start pushing my ROM i have 4 weeks to get to like 160degrees active to match other leg... Got PWB toe-and-heel touch and assures me I'll be FWB by April...HAPPY DANCE!!...

Just found this forum. Thanks to everyone for all the great info.
I'm a month out from surgery, 1 plate and 21 screws. Injured it while road racing motorcycles (closed course racetrack). My doctors said I could stretch the joint (bend my knee), but whenever I try it kinda locks up. Eventually it pops and allows some movement. I have no meniscus in the knee from previous injuries. Anyone experience this problem?

Also, what do you do to get some sleep? I stopped taking pain pills about a week ago because I thought they were keeping me awake, but I can't sleep much without them either. I'm getting pretty frustrated. I'm no stranger to recovering from injuries, but this sleep thing is killing me. 9 months ago I had a complete tear of my Achilles (same leg as TPF, motocross) and the recovery was cake compared to this. Maybe cake isn't completely accurate, but not nearly as mentally painful as this plateau crap. The fact that I cracked my hip and a couple of vertebrae doesn't help with the sleep.

Sorry to vent, but I'm loosing it from lack of sleep.

I too have a Plateau Fracture of my right knee and I am almost 55 years old. I notice that the recovery time I have been quoted is similar to that of younger bloggers. This seems to indicate how resilient the human body is in that it retains its ability to repair itself for most of one's lifetime. However, I have chosen to disregard this reasonable conclusion and instead consider myself a truly remarkable individual !!!!

I also note the very exciting activities some of you were undertaking when, sadly, you were injured/ I was skittled by my dog!!!

Just an update.... 4 months post surgery for type IV.....I've been WBAT since Feb 7. Started using two crutches for about two weeks, then went to one crutch at home. Gait is pretty normal although slightly stiff. As of March 5, I am approved to use a cane on a regular basis.

Still working on strength. Still having significant swelling at the end of the day. But there is definitely progress. Pain level is low, in fact only using Advil occasionally for swelling at night. Still icing and elevating.

There is still a long way to normal, but its coming.

Friscogrille: I have one word for you and that is...AMBIEN!! I am serious; I would be a raving lunatic by now-- or worse-- if it wasn't for this life-saving pill. Better than all the Ocycontin/codone/percocet/nucynta/neurontin crap they give you, all put togther. Call your doc TODAY and ask for an Rx. Beg, borrow or steal to get this drug. It gives you yor sanity back.