Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery

[scjohnson07]

Yes I am and it works great however I don't wanna wear this ugly thing forever! Haha I didn't know if anyone was able to stop wearing theirs when they started either PWB or FWB?

[global_dev]

Yes I am and it works great however I don't wanna wear this ugly thing forever! Haha I didn't know if anyone was able to stop wearing theirs when they started either PWB or FWB?

Docs and trainers told me circulation would get better in time and with use. I am also curious how swelling progressed after normal FWB.

How bad is your swelling now?

[Nurse Nina]

So now that I am weight bearing the physical therapist has been doing more strengthening exercises with me. I have also been working on transitioning more weight onto the bum leg. Its psychological at this point. I just don't trust the knee. At physical therapy the pt had me try to put all my weight on the bad leg. Just as I got the good one up, the ankle on my bad leg gave out. Needless to say I was surprised it was the ankle and not the knee that gave out. So now not only do I not trust the knee, now I don't trust the ankle. The never ending injury!! Who uses compression socks to control swelling? What kind and how high (above the knee or below?).

Hi,
It's been a while since I last posted. I am 41/2 months post-op and wore the compression stockings regularly until about two weeks ago. They were a huge help with the swelling. The only issue was tolerating them in the heat when I was outside. Mostly, I stayed in air conditioned places. Now that I can walk almost normally, my leg and ankle swells just a bit by the end of the day and if I am sitting with the foot down for a long period of time. My knee also stiffens up still. I would recommend the thigh high and 20-30mmHg. The knee high ones caused more swelling in my knee and cut into the skin. I had to take them off after about an hour. You can order them online for about $50 a pair. Get at least two pair, you will need to hand wash and hang dry them and they will hold up. Once fall comes and I am standing on my feet for long periods of time, I am going to wear them regularly again.
I still don't trust my knee either.
My ankle was also sprained in the accident and it was weak in the beginning. It is pretty good right now. I only wear good flat sandals and my sneakers for now. No flip flops except to get through the wet areas on my way to the pool for therapy.

[Nurse Nina]

Once you start walking and rebuild the muscles in your lower leg, the swelling gets better. The walking actually helps get the fluids back into the circulation. I discovered pedaling on the stationary bike for 10 minutes before PT as part of my warm up helped my ankle and knee cap reappear. It is non-weight bearing and if you didn't injure any of the tendons, you should be OK.

[peaton]

Hi everyone, I hope this update finds you healing and in good spirits!

I went to my OS today at almost week 9 post-op. He said everything appears to be on schedule. He said I could using my stationary bike w/o resistance and only w/o a great deal of discomfort. He also said I could start PWB in 3 wks, then I return to him the following week for a check up, to discuss problems and PT.

I spoke with him about the clicking/locking discomfort I am having when extending my leg from being flexed. He manipulated my knee and told me that it could be excess swelling and/or my patella isn't tracking correctly. Anyhow, he said nothing to be concerned with now, but to keep an eye on it.

[peaton]

Welcome and sorry to hear of your injury. It must be difficult not being with your little ones. Mine are all grown up! My little ones are four legged critters, LOL!

Don't rush things, ask questions, do your heal pumps and stay positive. It does take some time to recover from this injury.

Since it looks like my first 2 intros are lost... here goes again! Interior tibial plateau frx of right leg.

I'm Jon, 36 y.o. male. 6ft,210.. I've been skiing,snowboarding, mtn biking,climbing,hiking for years. Some great times and a few spills, but nothing ever serious. That's what makes this injury so ironic. Played soccer through university and then took a break and 3 yrs ago started coaching my daughters team and ran around with them no prob. Decided to join an adult league and was excited to get back into it.

First game at 10pm on Tuesday in early June and warmed up for an hour practicing tricks sprints... game finally starts, I am running around... chest trap ball, fake out a defender, zig and then zag with the ball and on the zag, heard a crunch and collapsed. Lower leg was offset from usual and couldn't move...

From first hospital to second at around 2am... woke up to an ex fix which I wore for 2 wks, internal fixation at end of June ... no brace, only bandaged. 2 plates, 10+ pins..

Working from home since then, thankfully... sent my 2 daughters away indefinitely, 3&7, since I was killing their summer and my wife's. Luckily their grandparents are awesome and have made their summer very great and memorable. This was a sad, but needed, decision to make.

Been in PT since Wk3, improving rom and muscle use... still NWB nd coming up on wk 6 tomorrow and OS appt on Friday. Hoping to get to at least pool okay from doc and maybe pwb as leg feels decent, but while I want to push through, I don't want to reinjure.

Thanks again as reading this thread has gotten me through week 4 which was a bit depressing as all settled in to how long and emotional this injury in recovery can be.

Jon

[scjohnson07]

Global_dev- I am not even PWB until next month. My fx was able to go without surgery so I have the full 3 months of non weight bearing with the immobilizer. I then will do PT to build my leg back up a bit before they schedule me for my acl repair and meniscus repair. I just want my foot back temporarily while I'm WB for a bit. Hoping so! Thanks.

[global_dev]

Global_dev- I am not even PWB until next month. My fx was able to go without surgery so I have the full 3 months of non weight bearing with the immobilizer. I then will do PT to build my leg back up a bit before they schedule me for my acl repair and meniscus repair. I just want my foot back temporarily while I'm WB for a bit. Hoping so! Thanks.

My understanding from all that I have asked about was that the swelling slowly subsides over months rather than days/wks. It was not exactly an answer that put a smile on my face either.

The suggestion above that says using the foot and strengthening the muscles sounds appropriate.

I'd still use a compression agent to help during fwb for a bit to help out. It can't hurt based on what I've read about runners using them during/after training and races.

[scjohnson07]

Global_dev- thank you. I guess I'll have to deal with the ugly black sock for a while haha.

[Righttibia]

Hi Guys,

Im Jay, how u all recovering??

Last month i was running n knee gave a wobble n crack sound n i fell down.. went to doc he said i broke right tibial plateau, need to operate..

its been operated n they kept 2 screws.. bandage is removed 7 days back, doc said bone is healing wel n get physio,

attended 2 sessions, pain is unberable after 45 degrees. ny ideas how to reduce pain or will it remain forever..

little bit of swell is around knee...

looking forward to ur reply.

Take care
Jay

[global_dev]

Pain/stiffness subside with time, phys therapy and resultant increased range of motion.

My first post op PT had me at max 83 flexion.. after 3 weeks I am at 115 degrees. I have 15 more to go and it really hurts to get those remaining, but with practice I will get there.

Don't forget to perhaps take a Tylenol or pain relief vehicle before PT.

Warm up before/ice after.

[iam_ultrasonic]

Update - 4 degrees extension and 130 degress flexion. My knee area is very tender and swollen now, and in a bit of pain. I hope that this does not happen when I start walking again. Feeling like I hit a plateau (funny choice of words). =(

5/6 - Fractured TP
6/7 - First PT session(NWB) - 15 ext, 110 flexion
6/13 - 2nd PT session(NWB) - 5 ext, 120 flexion
6/19 - 3rd PT session(NWB) - 4 ext, 130 flexion

update.: FWB on 7/3/12. Walked with cane for 1 week. Now almost at 3 months post fracture and still having pain in the knee, sometimes sharp, causing limp in walk. Not able to squat fully. The bone is still healing?

5/6 - Fractured TP
6/7 - First PT session(NWB) - 15 ext, 110 flexion
6/13 - 2nd PT session(NWB) - 5 ext, 120 flexion
6/19 - 3rd PT session(NWB) - 4 ext, 130 flexion
6/26 - 4th PT session(NWB) - 2 ext, 135 flexion
7/2 - 5th PT session (NWB) - 0 ext, 140 flexion
7/3 - FWB - walking with cane
7/10 - walking without cane!

[Righttibia]

Thanks Dev

[global_dev]

5/6 - Fractured TP
6/7 - First PT session(NWB) - 15 ext, 110 flexion
6/13 - 2nd PT session(NWB) - 5 ext, 120 flexion
6/19 - 3rd PT session(NWB) - 4 ext, 130 flexion
6/26 - 4th PT session(NWB) - 2 ext, 135 flexion
7/2 - 5th PT session (NWB) - 0 ext, 140 flexion

That's great! How did you make such significant increases in flexion per week?

[itsdeenah]

Stationary Bike
How are you doing with ROM and the bike - I can't go all the way around yet - bummed! PT said I'm only at 98 degrees so I go 1/2 forward 1/2 back for 10 min. ughhh! How soon were you able to go 360 degrees around? Glad to see how great you're doing! It's been inspiring me!!

Hi everyone, I hope this update finds you healing and in good spirits!

I went to my OS today at almost week 9 post-op. He said everything appears to be on schedule. He said I could using my stationary bike w/o resistance and only w/o a great deal of discomfort. He also said I could start PWB in 3 wks, then I return to him the following week for a check up, to discuss problems and PT.

I spoke with him about the clicking/locking discomfort I am having when extending my leg from being flexed. He manipulated my knee and told me that it could be excess swelling and/or my patella isn't tracking correctly. Anyhow, he said nothing to be concerned with now, but to keep an eye on it.

[iam_ultrasonic]

That's great! How did you make such significant increases in flexion per week?

Well, my situation is quite different from most on this board. My fracture was non-displaced. No surgery and was not put into a cast. NWB for 8 weeks. I was in a hinged brace; started PT 4 weeks in at NWB status. At week 9, was PWB/FWB.

Once you are cleared from doctor to move/exercise/PT, do your exercises 24/7! Do it whenever you have a few minutes, do it all the time, do it when you are bored. Push your pain barrier a little each day. Your dedication will pay off my friend.

So after my FWB status, the first few weeks went by with little/no pain and mild swelling. Now I have no swelling but much sharper pain, enough to stop me from walking. I am thinking its because my leg is getting more flexible it's affecting the fracture site more? Or my fracture has not fully healed? Strange because I was doing so well. Anyone experiencing this?

[peaton]

Hi Itsdeenah...

I am very surprised that I can actually go all the way around and not have to have my left leg do all the work. I was able to do this the first time I hopped on. I don't have any pain doing it, just a click doing the last 90 degree rotation on the upside. I am about 110-115 ROM. I was told by the OS that it will help to lesson the swelling and I can say about 2yrs ago when I saw a PT (for an unrelated injury) she also told me to invest in stationary bike, that it would help decrease the swelling. I also feel like I am doing something positive towards rehabbing my leg. He won't release me to PT yet, I have another 4wks before I go back to see him.

I am bummed about the fact that he lectured me in front of my hubby about my line of work, "Waitress/Bartender" and the seriousness of my injury. I love my job and working with the people. I live in a very small community that is tourist driven, so there aren't a lot of opportunities for office work, which I really don't want to have to go back to. Hubby is obviously siding with the OS that my knee won't take the hours and miles of pounding this job requires. I am more of lets wait and see how my recovery goes.

I feel fortunate that I am where I am with my recovery when I compare myself to others from this forum. The OS was just shocked that my knee hasn't locked up at all with the amount of time I was restricted from flexing it. He keeps reminding me not to get too excited, that I have a ways to go. To me they are "Debbie Downers".

I know your injury was pretty bad too, so I hope that things will start to turn around for you. How long have you been in PT? Hold your head up and don't let them get to you. Stay focused and do what you can, it will come. Think of where you were a few weeks ago and where you are today, that always helps me. Good Luck!

Stationary Bike
How are you doing with ROM and the bike - I can't go all the way around yet - bummed! PT said I'm only at 98 degrees so I go 1/2 forward 1/2 back for 10 min. ughhh! How soon were you able to go 360 degrees around? Glad to see how great you're doing! It's been inspiring me!!

[soonerstacy]

Day one of fwb. Super excited about this! However, I'm having trouble not walking with a limp. And it's only the first day. Anyone else have this problem? Does it get better, or should I opt for a cane? My OS didn't say anything about a cane. I'm thinking the limping is mainly because I'm just tired from working all day. Worked from 8-3 with a crutch and then went to OS and was cleared for fwb. Good progress though.

[iam_ultrasonic]

Day one of fwb. Super excited about this! However, I'm having trouble not walking with a limp. And it's only the first day. Anyone else have this problem? Does it get better, or should I opt for a cane? My OS didn't say anything about a cane. I'm thinking the limping is mainly because I'm just tired from working all day. Worked from 8-3 with a crutch and then went to OS and was cleared for fwb. Good progress though.

I suggest using a cane until you can get a normal walking gait even if you are not experiencing pain. It will help you with trust and stability more than anything.

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[greg33]

Stationary Bike
How are you doing with ROM and the bike - I can't go all the way around yet - bummed! PT said I'm only at 98 degrees so I go 1/2 forward 1/2 back for 10 min. ughhh! How soon were you able to go 360 degrees around? Glad to see how great you're doing! It's been inspiring me!!

I just got myself a bike at home. I can't get all the way around on the bike at physical therapy, plus the pedals there dont have the straps to keep you foot in place. I found that with the bike I have at home if I raise the seat a little extra and point my toe down with the straps to keep my foot in place I can get all the way around front and back. I'm between 90-95 degree's flexion. As I go around I flatten my foot out to get a good stretch. I know it's "cheating" but ya gotta do what ya gotta do to keep yourself going!! Good luck!!

[kschwantz]

Wow, wish I'd have found this site earlier.

I'm 43, and never had anything over a sprain in my life, then on March 4th, when a Jerkweed rider came over on me in an MX race I ended up with this as a right knee:








After I surgeon hunted I ended up going to this guy, and had surgery March 20th:


http://drbrinker.com

http://www.chron.com/entertainment/m...ob-1775779.php

Now my knee looks like this:



I'm a few weeks into FWB now. I did 6 weeks of PT, but decided to cut back on the Professional PT for a do it myself routine of Pool, stationary bike, and some other things that I learned from the PT folks.

One thing that's helped me a great deal was buying myself this brace;

http://motocrossactionmag.com/Review...ACE--5422.aspx

The brace has been indespensible for pool work and everything. Doing the same rehab without the brace, caused major swelling and just seemed to prolong the healing. Doc didn't like the brace, said it could become a crutch. But its easy to over do it, and for me the brace helps to rehab without doing more damage in the process.

Its a difficult injury to be positive about, to be sure. Its really a time will tell deal. Good luck to you all.

[global_dev]

He keeps reminding me not to get too excited, that I have a ways to go. To me they are "Debbie Downers".

My PT is really great about "accolades" for my increases in ROM/strength, but they do try to provide realistic expectations that getting back to normal is more like a year or so... it is a downer, but I truly was getting my hopes up too much that that I would recover to FWB faster than 12 weeks, but that's just not in the cards according to my OS and i'll have to wait a bit...

I suggest using a cane until you can get a normal walking gait even if you are not experiencing pain. It will help you with trust and stability more than anything.

I expected my OS to say definitely not use a cane, but his suggestion was totally that until you walk without a limp, use the cane to make sure you don't develop other issues.

Today was my 6wk post op OS appt, turns out my Fx was type 5, didn't harm my meniscus, ACl, etc and the bone is healing. There was some depression, and he explained more about the bone fracture, and how the plateau piece had displaced and twisted.

He told me the ROM was good enough, however, still NWB at least until the full 12wks. I can't get into water yet because a part of incision had a bit of scabbing that he cleaned up (something about the scab not allowing moisture out), but once I feel it's OK, he said I have the go ahead. maybe even an occlusion bandage if i really wanted to right now.

i crossed my finger for PWB, but my expectation was 12 weeks NWB...

[iam_ultrasonic]

i crossed my finger for PWB, but my expectation was 12 weeks NWB...

That sounds about right. My doctor had me NWB for only 8 weeks. He told me my fracture had healed good enough to walk on. Now I am doubting his expertise as I feel like the pain I'm having is due to the bone being not fully healed.

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[soonerstacy]

That sounds about right. My doctor had me NWB for only 8 weeks. He told me my fracture had healed good enough to walk on. Now I am doubting his expertise as I feel like the pain I'm having is due to the bone being not fully healed.

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Are you full weight bearing at 8 weeks? Yeah that sounds a little too soon. I don't blame you for questing the dr. I wasn't put on 50% wb till 9 weeks, and didn't have any knee pain at that time, only foot pain. Where are u having pain? If its the knee, give it some more time. Better to be safe than sorry!

Someone mentioned getting a cane to prevent me from having other issues. What sort of other issues? Does anyone know if most insurances will pay for a cane? I'm kinda broke already so that would be nice.

[soonerstacy]

I suggest using a cane until you can get a normal walking gait even if you are not experiencing pain. It will help you with trust and stability more than anything.

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Now that you mention it, I am having pain. Almost excruciating pain in the heel when I try to walk. Having shoes on helps a lot. But walking barefoot around the house, forget it!! I need the crutch for that. Boo!
Yay for being under 30 and needing a cane, awesome. #drippingwithsarcasm