Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery

[crystalteras]

Ugh!!!! I know I've already said it but I lay here in bed and I'm running out of apps and things online to look at but jeeeeze....my hip is KILLING me every night and day! Idk why but I know it HAS to do with the TPF. I'm normally and always have been a stomach sleeper so it's really hard to get comfortable lately and it's just getting worse and worse! Ugh...

[itsdeenah]

Hey Crystalteras I still cry everyday I think of it as mourning the loss of independance and normal walking. It's ok to cry for that I bet we all do. I'm on my 8th week since surgery and at first I felt the same way you described its a huge shock to your lifestyle especially being a parent (I have an 11 yrs daughter). The only advice I can say is that each week you feel stronger mentally and physically and I guess your mind starts to accept the challenges vs fighting it. My injury was a result of being assaulted by a man who lifted me up and then smashed me down to the pavement with my leg straight the Femur blew threw the top of my tibia. I cry because of my injury I cry because of being afraid that someone could harm me this bad intentially. But deep down I know this is a few months of my entire life and if I stay strong and take the time to heal I'll have the rest of my life to be happy and enjoy it. I am back to work full time (desk job - still can't drive getting rides) but when I was at home laying in bed or sitting in the chair it felt like time stands still day and night. I still only sleep about an hour at a time on my back and it sucks. I've managed to figure out a way to sit down on the bathtub and swing my legs in one at a time to relax and take a bath (that helped alot) I also spent alot of time on youtube listening to hypnotherapy to relax my mind and settle my body. I listed to Alba Alamillo she is a specialist in stress management http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkJQy3Ce_RA&feature=plcp another thing I liked doing is making Gift Cert. (with my daughters marker set) for things I could do for my family after I'm better for helping me (i.e. my bf (he's not the one that injured me) is getting massages, my daugher is getting trips to get ice cream etc).Anyway hope you feel better and know each of us on here and gone through similar emotional tolls it's just part of this crazy miserable injury. But it's not the end of the world it will get better it's your turn to slow down life for a bit and heal correctly it's worth the wait. I will keep checking in and updating my status and reading about yours we're all in it together. Keep posting and remember bad fortune is conquered by endurance. Slow & steady...God Bless...Deana

Ugh!!!! I know I've already said it but I lay here in bed and I'm running out of apps and things online to look at but jeeeeze....my hip is KILLING me every night and day! Idk why but I know it HAS to do with the TPF. I'm normally and always have been a stomach sleeper so it's really hard to get comfortable lately and it's just getting worse and worse! Ugh...

[peaton]

Crystalteras....I am with ya on the apps, computer surfing and tv crap! It gets old real quick. I beg my husband to take me out, put me in the truck to go down to the barn everyday. He does accommodate me but it after he gets my barn chores (now his) done. I can't imagine another 2 months of the same old crap! I have found Netflix to give me some diversity, the 50 shades of grey book and word searches. Oh, I talked him into a house pet finally, I adopted a 3yr old female cat. She is a my pal during the day and night and makes me laugh when we play, good mental therapy!

I am also a stomach sleeper. I have found that a body pillow helps me to at least get off my back and turned over enough to help alleviate the aches and pains. Also gets my brace off my good leg, which kept me awake at night because it is uncomfortable. So if you don't have one, you might give it a try.

Stay positive, be creative, beg friends/family to stop by and visit. The weather is great here right now, so I have a friend coming over and I am going to finally have a couple of beers and enjoy some good conversation and adult beverages (I'm not taking pain meds any longer)!

Hang in there.

Ugh!!!! I know I've already said it but I lay here in bed and I'm running out of apps and things online to look at but jeeeeze....my hip is KILLING me every night and day! Idk why but I know it HAS to do with the TPF. I'm normally and always have been a stomach sleeper so it's really hard to get comfortable lately and it's just getting worse and worse! Ugh...

[peaton]

Hi ItsDeenah, I'm sorry to hear how you obtain your fx'd TP, much different than a sports related injury, car accident or fall. I can only assume that you have some other mental issues to deal with regards to how it was obtained.

I too have shed a few tears as you said if we are honest, I think at some point we all have or will.

Sounds like our injuries are very similar and you are about 1 month ahead of me. I too crushed the top of my tibia, damage to the menisci and 4 different fractures in the shaft. I was also told no running or jumping ever.

I like your attitude and effort in trying to stay upbeat. Keep up the good work, as you said, "bad fortune is conquered by endurance...slow & steady". Our efforts will pay off, just takes time.

Hey Crystalteras I still cry everyday I think of it as mourning the loss of independance and normal walking. It's ok to cry for that I bet we all do. I'm on my 8th week since surgery and at first I felt the same way you described its a huge shock to your lifestyle especially being a parent (I have an 11 yrs daughter). The only advice I can say is that each week you feel stronger mentally and physically and I guess your mind starts to accept the challenges vs fighting it. My injury was a result of being assaulted by a man who lifted me up and then smashed me down to the pavement with my leg straight the Femur blew threw the top of my tibia. I cry because of my injury I cry because of being afraid that someone could harm me this bad intentially. But deep down I know this is a few months of my entire life and if I stay strong and take the time to heal I'll have the rest of my life to be happy and enjoy it. I am back to work full time (desk job - still can't drive getting rides) but when I was at home laying in bed or sitting in the chair it felt like time stands still day and night. I still only sleep about an hour at a time on my back and it sucks. I've managed to figure out a way to sit down on the bathtub and swing my legs in one at a time to relax and take a bath (that helped alot) I also spent alot of time on youtube listening to hypnotherapy to relax my mind and settle my body. I listed to Alba Alamillo she is a specialist in stress management http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkJQy3Ce_RA&feature=plcp another thing I liked doing is making Gift Cert. (with my daughters marker set) for things I could do for my family after I'm better for helping me (i.e. my bf (he's not the one that injured me) is getting massages, my daugher is getting trips to get ice cream etc).Anyway hope you feel better and know each of us on here and gone through similar emotional tolls it's just part of this crazy miserable injury. But it's not the end of the world it will get better it's your turn to slow down life for a bit and heal correctly it's worth the wait. I will keep checking in and updating my status and reading about yours we're all in it together. Keep posting and remember bad fortune is conquered by endurance. Slow & steady...God Bless...Deana

[peaton]

Hi everyone. I finally dug out my CDrom of my CT scan. Can someone help me make heads or tails of the report? I can provide pics if anyone is interested.

"There is a large knee joint effusion present. There is a comminuted depressed fracture of the lateral tibial plateau with approximately 1 cm depression of the articular surface. A large linear longitudinal fracture line is noted extending distally. There is one small ossific fragment measuring approximately 8 mm which appears displaced into the joint space just lateral to the inter-condylar notch. In addition there is a non-displaced longitudinal fracture through the medial tibial plateau and there are also appears to be a nondisplaced fracture oreinted in an AP direction through the mid-portion of the patella. Incidentally noted are several bone cysts in the tibia near the tibial spine.

Impression: Comminuted depressed fracture of the lateral tibial plateau with approximately 1 cm of inferior displacement of the articular surface with multiple additional fracture components in this region. In addition there are nondisplaced linear fractures through the medial tibial plateau and through the patella. Again, there is a large associated joint effusion."

[lgillingham]

Hi everyone.
I'm on week 14 and I wanted to respond to the foot pain. After my 12 week I was told it might last a year. I'm happy to say that the following week it started to move just to my toes and this week, almost completely gone. I still have tightness when I wake up or stand up but it's feeling closer to normal. I wore some heels too, which was another triumph (I'm sure the men can't relate). I'm sticking with walking advice. That is what has pushed my recovery more than anything. I walked up iron mt (a trail) this weekend. 6 miles and lots of climbing pushing me to balance various ways. I needed help on a few of the rocks on the way down but not much. The swelling is also almost gone. When I started walking at six weeks, it hurt but you have to push through that. The more you walk the more you are forcing your leg to straighten out and bend. I hope this helps. I didn't us on the pt but I went. The weights and quad work was good but I got more progress from walking. Hope that helps.
It also helps the depression to get out into the world.

[seanwieland]

Good news on my progress. 10 weeks post op today, and the crutches are behind me! It's been about 5 days since I've used them. I go very slowly on a cane because the knee feels unstable, but I focus on a normal walk an it feels good. I can even do some walking with no cane and no pain. I am on the road for work and have to carry a 20lb backpack, which stresses my knee more, but I noticed that when I take it off the knee responds well to the lighter weight. Hang in there folks!

My story:
4/9 type 4 severely displaced tpf
4/18 surgery
Pwb at 6 weeks
Fwb soon!

[itsdeenah]

Hi Guys!! Quick question? Does anyone take off their extender brace when they sleep? Sometimes I take it off and elevate it at the end of the day when it's swollen but I always put it back on to sleep. Wondering if any of you guys keep it off all night? Thanks!!

@seanwieland..........great news!! that's awesome!! Good to hear about your progress and good to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel - something to look forward too!

[skiette]

I've been a registered user on TelemarkTips and had visited TGR a few times but never so much as in the last 3 months, due to a TPF. I am so grateful for all the postings in this thread. Here's my story briefly: I was skiing at my local mountain, Mt. Ashland and collided with a friend. I knew instantly it wasn't good.
TPF 04/07/12
Surgery 04/08 plate and 8? screws
At first they said PWB, which I did gingerly for the first 2 weeks and then told NWB, ... go figure.
But the biggest challenge for me was the drugs I was on. I've never been a pill taker but I guess I was just following Dr.s orders "stay ahead of the pain", so after 5 weeks of Percocet I had terrible withdrawals. I was never told to taper or cut back. After trying to go cold turkey, I realized what needed to be done. This was the worst hell I've ever been through. Very dark thoughts, shivers, vomiting, awful.
Not sure when I discovered this website and thread, but what a wonderful support it has been. I can't thank all you posters enough for the encouragement, inspiration and empathy. Even the depressing posts gave me solace to know I am not alone in this.
And, you've helped me get started on PT early on which I think has helped tremendously.
One tip I have not seen mentioned (may have missed it) is putting a short plastic stool in the bath to elevate leg out of water. I'm not a shower person and standing in the shower seemed a little iffy, but soaking in the bath is wonderful with bubbles and epsom salts.
I am now approaching 3 month post and I am beginning to walk cane-free. I really does get better! Even my swelling has gone down, though I still don't sleep like I use to.
Here's wishing a full and quick recovery to you all.

[skiette]

Hi Deenah

Yes, I took mine off every night. I was a little worried at first but I don't move much in the night and it helped with relaxing. Also, Calcum/magnesium before bed helps to sleep, but still I only sleep in one hour increments.

All the best to you. Your story is heartbreaking.

Hi Guys!! Quick question? Does anyone take off their extender brace when they sleep? Sometimes I take it off and elevate it at the end of the day when it's swollen but I always put it back on to sleep. Wondering if any of you guys keep it off all night? Thanks!!

@seanwieland..........great news!! that's awesome!! Good to hear about your progress and good to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel - something to look forward too!

[Painful]

Quick update...last Friday I was cleared for PWB so started it then while using a walker and sometimes crutches. Feels good to b able to do that. Haveing to keep leg bent a little for it not to hurt and not sure if thats a good thing...my normal walking is with my leg fully straight when I first take a step but I am unable to do that right now without quite a bit of pain. Also when I walk my leg feels unstable and seems to kind roll to outside or inside some...is this normal? Please someone tell me if what Im doing is helping or hurting??? This is soooo frustrating!!!

[Cdnaussie]

I'm sure everyone says this, but this thread has been the best thing I've come across and a real relief to see others in the same boat. I'm only 5 days in and my first day home from the hospital but I look forward to reading every post here. My emotions are all over the place as its setting in what this injury really means. Hang in there! Knowing all these people have fought through this is inspiring and I can't say enough how valuable it will be to learn from their experience. Your injury has added dimensions which makes me keep things in perspective for myself. Thanks for inspiring everyone.

[soonerstacy]

Deenah, after I got home from the hospital I started sleeping without my brace on. The pt said it was only necessary for me to wear it when crutching. But I know my injury is different than yours, so maybe check with your doc. For me, I don't really roll around at night or move much at all so I was pretty sure I wouldn't hurt anything. The first weeks after surgery I had so much anxiety really hardly slept unless I took Xanax. Wonderful drug lol! Pain meds made me sweat and have weird dreams....After the incision healed I found it much easier to sleep with the leg rolled to the side, actually laying on the side with the scar. Sounds weird but it is oddly comfortable.

Two weeks till I see the OS. At 7 weeks now, almost at 170 degrees. Really really ready for weight bearing. Like a week ago. Ironically I'll be working 40 hours a week the same time I start pt. Lovely.

How long does the transition from pwb to fwb take usually??

[itsdeenah]

Hi Soonerstacy, Thanks for the reply, I see the OS tomorrow for x-rays so I'll deff check the brace removal. I don't roll around much either but I've heard that lying on the injured side is best. I'm off the pain meds too (not a fan of dizzy and me too weirdo dreams for sure). Keep us posted with the weight bearing I'm excited to hear how yours goes...I don't get to do toe touches until 4 more weeks -ugghhh! But then after that I heard PW the following week (sitting but being able to put my foot on the ground) the FWB within 2 weeks then it's full blown learning to walk unassisted. Take good care and take it easy at work too (hopefully it's not too strenuous of a job) and you'll be back on your feet in no time...wooh wooh!!

Deenah, after I got home from the hospital I started sleeping without my brace on. The pt said it was only necessary for me to wear it when crutching. But I know my injury is different than yours, so maybe check with your doc. For me, I don't really roll around at night or move much at all so I was pretty sure I wouldn't hurt anything. The first weeks after surgery I had so much anxiety really hardly slept unless I took Xanax. Wonderful drug lol! Pain meds made me sweat and have weird dreams....After the incision healed I found it much easier to sleep with the leg rolled to the side, actually laying on the side with the scar. Sounds weird but it is oddly comfortable.

Two weeks till I see the OS. At 7 weeks now, almost at 170 degrees. Really really ready for weight bearing. Like a week ago. Ironically I'll be working 40 hours a week the same time I start pt. Lovely.

How long does the transition from pwb to fwb take usually??

[Dgw3369]

Update on my status. 6/21 fwb status as tolerated. Today I'm walking with a can and can walk without the cane too. I threw out my crutches two days ago! What a great feeling and milestone. Couldn't wait for that day. I just got back from therapy and walked on the tread mill for ten minutes at 1.8 mph. My gate was almost perfect and everything felt great. My foot and tibia shaft pian has subsided but at the end of a day of getting around on the leg it's sore and my ankle is swollen but I'm getting around, that's all that matters. For all you not sure how you will turn out I'm sure you will be up and walking and feeling like you can beat this injury in no time. My tpf was pushed into my tibia shaft and spiral fractured down whole length of the shaft. With two fractures going down opposite sides. Just to reassure you that you can overcome this. I'm 35 and it does help speed up recovery. For everyone try to keep walking everyday with crutches and lightly put your foot on the ground and practice your gate for the PWB people out there. This will help speed recovery. My leg is 5degree ext and 120 flexion. Soonerstacy question for you. What do you mean 170 degrees? A normal leg only goes 150 degrees, maybe slightly more. Do you mean 170 is almost straight? When the leg is straight that would be zero. As u bend it the degrees increase. Just curious what you meant? As for my brace I also took it off 3 weeks after surgery. When you sleep it's not necessary if you can keep your leg in alignment. I slept with a pillow between my legs to keep it aligned. I couldn't sleep with that thing either. It's really meant for when your crunching around so you don't reinjure it or knock out of place. I hoping this Tim next week I'll be walking without any assistive devices. Now that I'm on my legs again I'm regaining thigh strength very fast. You be surprised when your told fwb and you try to use the leg that you thought was strong enough to walk again. I thought it was good to go and felt so strong but when you first try to walk again reality sets in and it's not as strong as you think. But stay on it and it improves drastically. I hope everyone is improving and keep up the good work and uplifting posts. We're in this together and here for each other.

[skiette]

How long does the transition from pwb to fwb take usually??

I found as soon as I started partial weight-bearing ... a little more each day, it went really quickly to FWB ... like 2 weeks or so. This is 3 months after injury. Every day I see improvement with flexion and extension but still working at it.

[crystalteras]

Hey Deenah,
I actually haven't worn my brace in probably 3 days. I called my doctor and bitched and complained until my actual doctor called me back (because of the lack of sleep due to the excruciating pain I was having in my hip and now since the numbing is going down between my two "Frankenstein like" stitches, I can feel all the metal in my knee too) and I told him I was having to take 4 Norcos at night just to get a tiny bit of pain relief to go to sleep and sometimes that didn't even work. I know that's a rediculous amount of meds and that's what I told him. They started me on trazodone and told me its fine I take off my brace at night bc it's good for my knee if my subconscious self lets me use my knee/leg. Since 3 days ago, I have not have a better nights sleep since before my TPF. It's been amazing. Except today my hip has been killing me again. First time I've taken Norcos since that phone call. I'm trying to lower my tolerance....if that's even possible right now lol
If anyone's having a hard time with sleep, trazodone is DEF worth asking your dr for. It is also used for chronic pain, so I haven't had to take pain meds as much. Amazing!!

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

I'm a 51 yo skier, runner, hiker.

Had a pretty simple PTFx on 1/16/2012 while skiing fast and slipped on some ice. To avoid hitting another slipee, I tried to stay upright and hold an edge to slow down/stop while ending up skiing backwards. When the edge caught in some soft snow I felt my right leg (lateral knee area) pop. Pain was moderate but not acute. I got up, tested a little weight bearing and made the decision to ski the rest of te way to the bottom (it was a low-intermediate groomer the rest of the way...). Was hoping it was a sprain but the feeling of the pop told me I was being overly optimistic. Went to the E-room that night and got the bad news. Lateral tibial plateau fracture but not displaced (thankfully).

Here's the x-ray from the first night
Attachment 111594

Saw an ortho the next morning and he scheduled surgery for 1/20/2012. I went in at 7am and was home by 11am.

Post op x-ray:
Attachment 111595

Spent about 10 days on the couch icing and elevating. I was able to drive and get around on crutches after that.

It's now been 6 weeks post-op. I gradually increased weight bearing and worked on walking straight and being very deliberate with my steps. I graduated to a cane at about 30 days post-op and now only keep a cane handy for balance issues.

I have a follow-up with the ortho on Thursday (3/7/2012) at which time he will prescribe formal PT and probably order an MRI to make sure there's no other soft-tissue damage that he didn't see before. I have been doing very light leg extensions and squats. No hamstring curls yet. Muscle atrophy is going to be the biggest hurdle to recovery.

I can go up and down stairs normally if very slowly. That has also been a big part of my personal recovery plan.

I was a fairly avid runner prior to the injury but don't plan to return to that activity any time soon. Will take up biking when the snow and ice is gone for good this year. Hoping to be able to hike a lot this sumer, but worried about the trips down. My real goal is to be able to ski starting in November.

Like others, my knee continues to swell as the day goes on and if I'm upright, the swelling migrates to my ankle and swells around any constriction (athletic knee brace, socks, etc.

All things considered, I'm pretty lucky that my break didn't displace and my recovery so far has been pretty rapid. Still, I'm being careful not to push too hard as I don't want any setbacks getting in the way of my mid-November skiing goal.

Haven't visited in a while and thought I'd post a follow-up. Went hiking for a work day at Magic on June 9. Met up with DoWork and a friend of his and we pushed up the hill to Twilight Zone. Worked all day on the hill..it's pretty steep but not scary steep. We walked to the top and then took the work road down to avoid injuring my knee. It was a great day and despite being in horrible shape, I felt pretty good at the end of the day. This week, I tried a few tentative running steps and felt very little pain...more like pressure. So I started running...Monday, was 1/4 mile, Tyesday was a half mile as were Wednesday and Thursday. Again, my conditioning is shot despite the fact that I've been walking a couple of miles every day. I feel like I'm really on the road back. I may never get back to where I was o January 15th but I should be close. I was very lucky.

[soonerstacy]

Update on my status. 6/21 fwb status as tolerated. Today I'm walking with a can and can walk without the cane too. I threw out my crutches two days ago! What a great feeling and milestone. Couldn't wait for that day. I just got back from therapy and walked on the tread mill for ten minutes at 1.8 mph. My gate was almost perfect and everything felt great. My foot and tibia shaft pian has subsided but at the end of a day of getting around on the leg it's sore and my ankle is swollen but I'm getting around, that's all that matters. For all you not sure how you will turn out I'm sure you will be up and walking and feeling like you can beat this injury in no time. My tpf was pushed into my tibia shaft and spiral fractured down whole length of the shaft. With two fractures going down opposite sides. Just to reassure you that you can overcome this. I'm 35 and it does help speed up recovery. For everyone try to keep walking everyday with crutches and lightly put your foot on the ground and practice your gate for the PWB people out there. This will help speed recovery. My leg is 5degree ext and 120 flexion. Soonerstacy question for you. What do you mean 170 degrees? A normal leg only goes 150 degrees, maybe slightly more. Do you mean 170 is almost straight? When the leg is straight that would be zero. As u bend it the degrees increase. Just curious what you meant? As for my brace I also took it off 3 weeks after surgery. When you sleep it's not necessary if you can keep your leg in alignment. I slept with a pillow between my legs to keep it aligned. I couldn't sleep with that thing either. It's really meant for when your crunching around so you don't reinjure it or knock out of place. I hoping this Tim next week I'll be walking without any assistive devices. Now that I'm on my legs again I'm regaining thigh strength very fast. You be surprised when your told fwb and you try to use the leg that you thought was strong enough to walk again. I thought it was good to go and felt so strong but when you first try to walk again reality sets in and it's not as strong as you think. But stay on it and it improves drastically. I hope everyone is improving and keep up the good work and uplifting posts. We're in this together and here for each other.

Haha thanks for catching my error. It's been a while since geometry lol. I am at 0 degrees and possibly 145 degrees. Basically I can get the heel a few inches from touching my butt.

What a good day for you throwing out the crutches!! Keep up the good work. I was told by my partner that we have to keep the crutches around in case of future accidents. Boo!

[soonerstacy]

How long does the transition from pwb to fwb take usually??

I found as soon as I started partial weight-bearing ... a little more each day, it went really quickly to FWB ... like 2 weeks or so. This is 3 months after injury. Every day I see improvement with flexion and extension but still working at it.

Thanks skiette! That is very good news. I think I'll probably cry the day I walk again. Tears of joy that is. I'm estimating my total time on crutches will be 15 weeks. That's a long time!
So glad to find this board, everyone has been so helpful.

[Nurse Nina]

It's been a while since I've posted on the site. I am now about 15 weeks post injury and was able to give up the crutches last week. I opted not to use a cane even though walking would be a bit faster. My X-rays show complete healing of the fractures and now I need to work on rebuilding the strength in my leg from hip to foot. I have a slight limp because of weakness in my hip but the exercises are really helping to get that back. I still get swelling in my knee and ankle and need to wear that compression stocking. It is such a drag to wear it on a hot day but makes a difference in how well I feel at the end of the day. I have about 140 degrees of flexion and 3 degrees extension, but can push down easily to get to zero. I am going to start walking longer distances and hope to get to 3 miles in an hour by the end of next month. I used to walk about 4 miles per hour before breaking into a jog but was told no jogging for a few more months due to the swelling.
While progress is coming along every day, I wish I could do more and I hate waking up with the constant ache in my entire leg. Some of it is from the exercises and use, some is just that nagging bone ache. I am taking tylenol arthritis which lasts about 8 hours once or twice a day depending on what I am doing and it seems to take the edge off. What a drag. My OS thinks I am doing great and tells me that I am only one third of the way through this before I will be back to normal. He seems to think I will be able to go back to skiing this winter. I certainly hope so.
Thank you all for your posts. This is a great place for us to vent, and get to know what others are going through. We are not alone in this.

[Nurse Nina]

I know what you mean. I feel so deconditioned, too. I had PT in the pool, which was awesome by the way, but was out of breath after doing one lap across the pool. I plan on using a stationary bike for about 20 minutes before PT to get my heart rate up a couple times a week. Hopefully, that will help.

[gameface25]

37 y.o. Athletic male with lateral (inside of left knee) tibial plateau fracture, multiple pieces, all displaced.

I have been physically active my entire life. Played three sports in high school, played lacrosse and rugby in college, been skiing since age 3, always a gym rat. I'm also a police officer.

On June 7, 2012, I was playing on the Police softball team. We are naturally a competitive group of guys, won the league championship last year, and we play for keeps ;-) . Thursday night warriors for sure. We had a 1 run lead with one inning to go. Men on second and third, two outs, I was up to bat. I hit a grounder to the short stop. "Damn!", I thought to myself. I didn't want to be that guy who leaves multiple guys in scoring position late in a tight game, so I got after it like a 37 year old can, which probably isn't all that fast but hey, I dug in and grinded it out. I saw the ball coming just as I stepped on the bag and well, I beat the throw! Yes! As I stepped forward to slow down my left leg locked at the knee and all of my body weight (200 lbs) and momentum (at least Mach 2) went right down my left leg and into my left knee. The knee hyperextended, I heard and felt a pop, and I dropped into a roll. The pain was immediately severe. I pulled my knees in to bend them and then called a guy over to help me stand up. When I stood up I tried to put some weight on the left leg and the knee folded backwards about 10 inches. It was f'ing gruesome. F#%&!!! The guys loaded me into a cruiser and drove me off to the hospital.

X-rays and a CAT scan showed that multiple pieces of the tibial plateau had broken off and been displaced downward into the shin. No ligament damage at all (confirmed later during surgery). I had surgery on 6/13/12 during which the doc installed a "T" plate and 7 screws into my knee. He said that he pulled the bones back up, put four screws across and three down the shin.

So I'm now 16 days post op and the swelling and pain are mostly gone. Initially the pain was unbearable and they kept me in the hospital an extra day. The only med that would help was Toradol. I stayed on that med for about a week until the pain was under control. I was in the hospital for two nights following surgery. I currently can bend my leg about 100 degrees and can almost fully straighten it. Glad to be off all pain meds, although I'll take an Aleve if need be. The surgical site on the knee is a little bit sensitive to the touch which is annoying when I'm trying to sleep so I've been wrapping the knee with pre-wrap each night when I go to bed. I haven't put any weight on the left leg yet and have been told not to until my next follow up on 7/20/12.

Will post more after the next follow up.

[peaton]

Hi Everyone....

I had my 4 week post-op check-up yesterday, this is what he had to say:

The x-rays that were taken show that the depression portion of the top of the tibia sunk back down somewhat. He manipulated my knee to find that it feels firm, not loose and sliding all over the place. He is optimistic because the depression is shaped like a donut hole, it should fill in with different fibrous materials and with flexion of my knee become smooth. So this is a wait and see area.

He also had me extend my leg like as if to touch the back of my knee to the table while extended and had me flex it as much as I could without causing pain. I came very close to full extension and am about 75% flexion. He was thrilled!!!!!! Better than what he had expected considering the magnitude of my injury. If you will recall 2 wks prior he said the next visit they will allow me to start flexing to 10 degrees, well because I'm doing so good, he unlocked my brace so that I could go as far as 90 degrees. I return to see him in 4 wks, so hopefully I will be at the full 90 degrees. I am still not allowed to put any weight on the leg until the end of August.

Summary of location of fxs: One on the knee cap, one large fx on the lateral side of the tibia, and 2 non-displaced fxs running almost the length of my tibia from knee to ankle. I also have a large depressed area that took the brunt of the force and basically crushed the top of my tibia, mainly on the lateral side with a non-displaced fx on the medial side of the top of the tibia.


So all-in-all, I'm pretty pleased, it was a good day mentally! Have a great 4th everyone!!

[himavan]

A little update from me. I'm 13 weeks post op (from a pretty nasty schatzker 6). Doctor said everything looked great at 12 weeks and I'm now weight bearing. I'm still using the crutches, but I can put most of my weight on my leg. Feels really unstable, and my achilles is pretty stiff and my foot swells a lot, but no knee pain! Been going to PT, who has me mostly doing leg extension exercises with electrical stimulation and a few other things. Yesterday I was able to walk on my own in chest deep water - which felt awesome (And if was kind of funny to feel really envious of the old folks doing water aerobics in the pool and hopeful that I'll have their amount of mobility one of these days). And I'm up to 15 minutes on a stationary bike. Also started acupuncture and he has me taking ox bone pearls and bamboo pearls to help the healing. So things are going better than I expected other than lingering neuropathic foot pain. I'm even daring to hope that I may make it back to the mountains next spring for a few groomer runs. Hope to be walking soon as my wife is going to give birth any day now...really not the best time for her to still be doing all the house work and errands.