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Thread: Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery

  1. #601
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Upper Peninsula Michigan
    Posts
    70
    c3neely,

    I agree this is one of the hardest things I have gone through and I'm only in week 4 since the injury and 2nd week out of surgery. It is mentally and physically hard to stay up and positive regardless of other peoples trials/tribulations. We have our own.

    I am finding ways to be more independent, but still require lots of help. I keep reading discussion articles on this injury. It seems that there is about a 50% complete recovery for most patients and that takes multiple years, not just 1yr for recovery. Based on these studies, it also seems the hardest thing to rebuild is the quad muscles, especially after the age of 40.

    Unfortunately, I too was told I am one of the unlucky ones, will have arthritis and need a knee replacement, based on my type of injury and injury to the soft tissues (which they haven't even repaired yet). I am willing to give up doing certain things, but others I am not. So I am determined to work hard when I can start flexing and PT.

    Sounds like you are almost there. Work hard at it, it sounds like you are determined to beat it, you can do it! We all can do it!

    It is so nice to have people on here who know what you are going through, can vent, get feed back and support. I have friends and acquaintances that look at me puzzled when they ask questions about my recovery and time it will take. They act like you are milking it. If they only knew, I would much rather be at work, taking care of my husband and animals on the farm; and anything else we have all taken for granted!





    Quote Originally Posted by c3neely View Post
    By far the hardest thing for me with dealing with this injury...is it definitely has this feel of "its going to take me years just to get the atrophy back...and its still not going to be great...and then I'm going to have to get my knee replaced, because theres no fixing the inevitable arthritis from the cartilage damage we have all done." I dont care how many bones I break, as long as they heal and I can get on with my life...this seems like one bone break that "no one" comes back from

    Im not trying to be a downer...because I can point to hundreds of people who have it worse off than us with our TPF's...my neighbor lost his leg in a motorcycle accident, so that brings me back into reality for feeling sorry for myself...but its still hard

    I did mine in March of 2011...May 2012 I got my hardware taken out, partial meniscus repair, and a microfracture surgery for my cartilage issues. Im 2 weeks past that right now...and just praying that I can get to some normalcy following this. I wish there were more success stories out there to latch onto

    If theres not any success stories out there...damnit, I will be one, and I'll post back on here when I make it!

  2. #602
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Posts
    37
    Hi Guys..Quick Update: OS appt. yest. ROM increased to 90 degrees (phewww progress!!) and starting PT 3x/wk with leg lifts and side lifts FINALLY something other than waiting! It swelled up last night but it's been doing that everyday so whatever,,,bring it! The OS is still worried about miniscus damage and FWB but we'll cross that bridge later. I'm staying hopeful anything is possible right! I posted some new before and after surgery pics on my home page and just wanted to mention I blinged out my crutches for summer with some pads and a carry case for my cellie & water bottle it helps alot!! www.crutcheze.com Anyway..Happy Father's Day this weekend to all the Dads!! I keep reminding myself in the grand scheme of my life this is a few months to contend with and its hard everyday but my friend Jonny Jones told me it's like a fighter entering the ring....ding ding round 2!!
    "Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyay" --- John Wayne

  3. #603
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Upper Peninsula Michigan
    Posts
    70
    Thanks for the link....very cool!


    Quote Originally Posted by itsdeenah View Post
    Hi Guys..Quick Update: OS appt. yest. ROM increased to 90 degrees (phewww progress!!) and starting PT 3x/wk with leg lifts and side lifts FINALLY something other than waiting! It swelled up last night but it's been doing that everyday so whatever,,,bring it! The OS is still worried about miniscus damage and FWB but we'll cross that bridge later. I'm staying hopeful anything is possible right! I posted some new before and after surgery pics on my home page and just wanted to mention I blinged out my crutches for summer with some pads and a carry case for my cellie & water bottle it helps alot!! www.crutcheze.com Anyway..Happy Father's Day this weekend to all the Dads!! I keep reminding myself in the grand scheme of my life this is a few months to contend with and its hard everyday but my friend Jonny Jones told me it's like a fighter entering the ring....ding ding round 2!!
    "Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyay" --- John Wayne

  4. #604
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    15
    Sue, thank you so much for your reply and the info. I went to see my Surgeon. I am six weeks from my operation. He scared the hell out of me. Forced my leg to bend and as I was sweating with pain and begging him to stop, he said if I do not get ROM by 120 degrees in two weeks my leg will seize up and he will be forced to bend it by force under anesthesia causing me even worse pain and more expense. I guess he was trying to get across to me how important it is that I do PT at home myself. I am doing a little every day but wonder, are we supposed to push till it is agony like he did? Or can we not do it like when one exercises, a little more each day.IE pain but bearable?..He did not offer any PT. I do not want to be disabled. I just feel so far away from walking or even bending my leg all the way. Thank you again Sue...It helps to talk about it...My name is Sue too x

  5. #605
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    15
    I cannot thank you enough for your help!! Yes, I have been in bed for five weeks. It is hard...You are at the same stage as I am time wise. I think my OS is pushing me too fast. Mine is type 3 as well. And I am probably a lot older than you so why is he telling me to walk when you are advised to wait. I am going to listen to your OS I think LOL. Get range of motion but take the walking slowly. The fact that you could swim is amazing to me... You must be young or I am a coward... Thank you so much for your reply, I am starting with the towel tonight.....

  6. #606
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    15
    Sue, Thank you for the Wiki Page. I have been spared more tears after finding this site. Having a hard time figuring out how to use it but so thankful for the advice that I have received. I was feeling such a failure two days ago after seeing my OS. I had questions..He said, "If youd'd spend more time exercising your leg and not on the internet you would be better off". I just needed to know what has happened to me and how I can recover in the best way for long term outcome as I really do not want a Knee Replacement. And I had fallen which had set me back...I do not see how finding out about ones injury can be a bad thing...Perhaps it is because this is a particularly nasty injury to get...and the OS do not know for each patient how long it will take..I wish you a strong and speedy recovery Sue...Thank you!
    Quote Originally Posted by SueBee View Post
    Wow! I am sorry for this unexpected misfortune. I have found there are positives in the recovery process but I am sorry to hear you lost your job on top of getting injured.

    If you can't afford PT your hospital may have outpatient PT for free. Ask your doc. Otherwise your doctor is responsible for giving you exercises to rehab.

    Some folks on this site started a wiki with some common questions we all have answered - check it here http://tpf.wikia.com/wiki/Tibial_Plateau_Fracture_Wiki

    Good luck and hang in - it gets better!
    ~Sue

  7. #607
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    15
    Hi, thank you Peaton for your reply. My x-ray was fine. The OS said that means I can walk...........Ya right...Yes I was sore too and thought he would be understanding but he gave me the worst pain showing me what I need to do to get ROM quickly before I seize up..scared hell out of me...And like you, I am more careful now. Well in my case, paranoid! I think you are at a similar time range to me..I am so glad you di no damage either...
    Quote Originally Posted by peaton View Post
    France,

    I am doing fine, thank you for asking. I was a little sore/tender more so than usual but I am feeling better. This event helped me to realize that I need to wear my brace at all times and that I will need help in the shower, UGH!

    I hope your x-ray went good!

  8. #608
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    15
    Wow Vaper, no pain. Be patient........you'll probably surprise everyone!

    Quote Originally Posted by vaper View Post
    hi guys! i'm so glad i found this site so i can judge where i should be. i broke my lateral tibial plateau on my right leg on may 27th and had surgery may 29th and got a plate in and 7 screws. it's now been 16 days since surgery and i had my first PT yesterday. i can bend my leg 120 degrees and can bend my leg straight. i can't get to full extension as my other leg but i'm working on it! my right thigh is clearly smaller than my left already but i can lift it pretty well. my surgeon says i can't bear weight for 12 weeks, but i am really hoping to make it in 6! i'm 17 and just graduated hs so i need to be walking during the summer to move. does anyone have any suggestions on what to do to make it heal well and fast? i have generally no pain, i switched to naproxen 500 once a day about 3 days after surgery and have stopped taking it for 2 days now and still have no pain! my swelling has gone down considerably, mostly around my ankle and right around the knee but it's minimal.

  9. #609
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    30
    Quote Originally Posted by France View Post
    Sue, thank you so much for your reply and the info. I went to see my Surgeon. I am six weeks from my operation. He scared the hell out of me. Forced my leg to bend and as I was sweating with pain and begging him to stop, he said if I do not get ROM by 120 degrees in two weeks my leg will seize up and he will be forced to bend it by force under anesthesia causing me even worse pain and more expense. I guess he was trying to get across to me how important it is that I do PT at home myself. I am doing a little every day but wonder, are we supposed to push till it is agony like he did? Or can we not do it like when one exercises, a little more each day.IE pain but bearable?..He did not offer any PT. I do not want to be disabled. I just feel so far away from walking or even bending my leg all the way. Thank you again Sue...It helps to talk about it...My name is Sue too x
    Hi Sue / France, I think the exercises that Soonerstacy gave you are excellent. These are what we all started with - especially the heel slides. Many times each day. You do need to get it moving. (My OS also promised manipulation under anesthetic if i did not do it myself.) Pushing a little more all the time. The pain should be like a deep stretch into scar tissue but not beyond that. When you stop pulling, there might be residual tenderness. I am now at 114 and increase about 5 degrees a week. Now that I am on a bike and weight bearing - the range is improving by itself. I still do heel slides or chair flexes every day. The extension bridge stretch with the ankle propped up on a coffee table or object are very important too. Do ask your doc if he/she has any suggestions for exercises to improve ROM. Reward yourself with ice and elevation when you are finished a stretching session. The pool is excellent if there is one close by - just walking, neck deep in water so you are putting minimal weight on your injured leg, is good for your muscle memory and ROM. The resistance of the water is helpful.
    Good Luck! and let us know how you do...

  10. #610
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    13
    the way i got my leg to 120 in 2 weeks was just bending it until i felt the stress and stopped there and little by little it goes more. i think i'm doing better, i still haven't taken any painkillers and won't be anymore and still have no pain! i'm just getting so impatient with getting back to walking. i went apt hunting today and it sucked having to go up and down flights of stairs, i actually had to sit down for a bit. i actually do have a pool in my backyard, when can i start doing pool therapy? i will be at 3 weeks from surgery in two days.

  11. #611
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    19
    I have never posted on one of these but I feel like since I'm just sitting at home doing nothing, I may as well.
    I guess I'll start with my injury. Warning....I was stupid and I realize this but hey, it's over and done with now. On May 26, 2012, I went out camping, planned this whole thing for months and spent lots of money on this. I was just super excited! Period! I got there around noon and started decorating, everyone else started drinking. I had my first beer around 3 and from 3-7:30 I had 1 1/2 beers, 3 shots and 1 half cup of jungle juice. I was buzzed, yes, but not drunk. There was a creek there and we were told if we wanted to go across, we had to cross on this irrigation pipe. So I crossed it probably 5-6 times and everything fine. The last time I crossed it, I was maybe 3 feet from the end and still over this creek. Someone stepped on the pipe and it wobbled and I lost balance and fell off in the creek and landed straight on my R leg. immediately I knew something was wrong. I have never broke a bone but it felt like something was broken. That's exactly what I told everyone when they came to my rescue. I was carried by my boyfriend and my brother to a 4 wheeler and then carried into a car to go to ER. Screaming in pain the whole time, I might add. I get there and they immidietely start me on IV pain meds that just doped me up like crazy. I guess I kept cryin to the nurses an doctors saying "I just wanna have sex with Allen! When can I have sex with him"...haha, I'm funny. They xrayed me and told me I had to go to Portland (an hour away) by ambulance bc I got a Tibial Plateau Fracture. Great! They said it was too complicated for them to deal with. I lied to the ambulance and said Allen was my fiancé and that just kept on til I left hospital, so he could ride with me. We get there and I was on morphine the whole way, I go straight into a room full of scrubbed up ppl and I get told they were gonna give me somethin to knock me out for maybe 20 min so they could put my leg in a brace. Next thing I know, I woke up the next day and I had surgery and I also had an external fixator! 5 f-ing pins sticking out of my leg. Crazy. They left that on til the following Friday when I was gonna have my surgery again. I ended up getting 13 pins/screws (whatever they are called) and 2 plates. Doctor told me that for me not ever breaking a bone, I sure did it right for my first time. He said he hadn't ever seen a fracture like this as bad as mine was.
    Well now I'm about 2 1/2 weeks out from my last surgery. They took me off my oxy and put my on norco's. I'm not having too much pain except when I'm trying to bend my leg. My dr seems to think that in a month, I should be able to flex my leg back and forth ad say "look what I can do". I'm having a hard time thinking I can. I just today put my brace to 50* angle and it hurts bad. I can't lift my leg AT ALL ad I feel like maybe I should be able to and I need to push myself. Allen keeps tellin me I'm pushing myself too hard. Idk tho.
    I've been sooooo emotional. I have a 2 1/2 year old boy, I was working 2 jobs and now I'm down to nothing. This is completely different from before and I think it's making me a lil depressed I'm always the happiest person ever so this is VErY hard for me I can barely change my own kids diaper. It's soooo hard on me. I was in the hospital for 12 days and now I can't even walk to the bathroom with my walker without being out of breath. I def hate it!
    If anyone has any advise for me, feel free. I constantly feel like crying and I'm going nuts in my house. I want to be able to go out. I don't wanna miss all summer activities. I can't even take my kid swimming. I have no idea how long this is going to take for me to be able to do anything. No idea at all.

  12. #612
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    10
    Quote Originally Posted by iam_ultrasonic View Post
    Hello, my name is Jonathan and i am 26 years old. I fractured my TP on May 6th. It was a non-displaced fracture so no surgery. It has been 5, going on 6 weeks. Started PT and I have 5 degrees extension and 120 flexion. I feel like I am behind the curve on recovery judging from the recovery of others here with surgery. I have 3 more weeks of NWB, then off crutches, meaning FWB? My doctor did not specify. Can anyone enlighten me on the recovery for no surgery treatment? Thank you very much.

    Oh, I injured my leg playing flag football, non contact injury.
    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

  13. #613
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    19

    18 weeks post-op, cleared for impact

    Hi, all! It's good to be back on the forum. Just spent an hour catching back up with the thread and [virtually] meeting the newer members.

    At my prior 12 week x-ray, the TPF looked good, but the bottom of the spiral tibia fracture didn't show much progress. So I have been FWB with no impact activity the last six weeks, applying ultrasound, mineral water, chicken soup, PT, and prayer (in no particular order). I kept working with the leg somewhat past the pain threshold, but short of sharp pain. That caused visible swelling and a bit of discoloration around that part of the tibia, for the first time in a while, which must have indicated healing.

    I just had a new x-ray taken Saturday, though a comedy of errors and delays at the facility prevented me from getting the CD until Monday. It looked to my uneducated eye like the tibia now has a good, bony callous. I uploaded the files and sent an email to my OS in Salt Lake. He was great as always, getting back to me a day later, agreeing that we have good bone formation and clearing me to gradually start impact activities. The man is a gem among trauma surgeons, and I'm much indebted to him both for the quality of his work in the OR and the ease of working with him on followup.

    Based on the new instructions from the OS, today was my first PT session with impact exercises, as well ones that put higher stress on the knee. I'm doing well with sets of 15 small, two-footed jumps and wall-sits of about a minute duration. After several weeks of doing ankle lifts of various kinds, my calf is nearly recovered. But the quad has a long way to go. It's much less defined than my good leg, and I can't do any one-legged squats on the injured side. So that, and continued balance/proprioception will be the focus of my next few weeks. I'm trying to get as far as possible before leaving July 8 with my 15 year-old son for a week vacation in Northern California and Yosemite.

    Good to see that people are looking at http://tpf.wikia.com

    Please don't just read it, but also pitch in and add content. There's an enormous amount of experience and wisdom in this thread. We just have to work at distilling it into the wiki, so those who come after us won't have to wade through dozens of pages from years back to extract it all. I feel that I owe a great debt to those who've provided all the information, sympathy, and encouragement. This is a debt we pay forward!

    Best to all,
    Chris

    --
    skiing Snowbird, fx TP, fib, spiral tib 02/09
    surgery ORIF 2 plates, 18 screws 02/10
    compartment syndrome / fasciotomy 02/12
    PWB 6 weeks
    FWB 10 weeks
    Exogen ultrasound weeks 14+
    impact 18 weeks

  14. #614
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    19
    Quote Originally Posted by crystalteras View Post
    I was stupid and I realize this but hey, it's over and done with now. On May 26, 2012, I went out camping...
    crystalteras, nothing to blame yourself for in this. Short of living in a straitjacket in a rubber room, activity involves risk. And a life of inactivity has even worse health risks. You pays your money, you takes your chances, and life is risk.

    We've got people in the forum incurring TPFs from everything from motorcycle crashes to the proverbial gardening accident. Yours is at least the second from camping.

    Quote Originally Posted by crystalteras View Post
    I've been sooooo emotional. I have a 2 1/2 year old boy, I was working 2 jobs and now I'm down to nothing. This is completely different from before and I think it's making me a lil depressed I'm always the happiest person ever so this is VErY hard for me I can barely change my own kids diaper. It's soooo hard on me. I was in the hospital for 12 days and now I can't even walk to the bathroom with my walker without being out of breath. I def hate it!

    If anyone has any advise for me, feel free. I constantly feel like crying and I'm going nuts in my house. I want to be able to go out. I don't wanna miss all summer activities. I can't even take my kid swimming. I have no idea how long this is going to take for me to be able to do anything. No idea at all.
    Here's advice, worth what you paid for it: hang in there, and there's nothing wrong with crying. It does get better but takes time. Dedication to recovery helps, and impatience doesn't. Mileage varies--you can probably write off most of a season, but then it usually gets progressively better.

  15. #615
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    19

    Ultrasound bone growth stimulation

    Quote Originally Posted by East Mtn View Post
    Exogen ultrasound weeks 14+
    This is probably worth some explanation. At 12 weeks, with my tibial shaft showing little evidence of healing at the bottom of the spiral fracture, I started looking into home-use bone growth stimulators. There are three basic types: microcurrent (electrical), pulsed electromagnetic, and ultrasonic. I asked my OS, and he was generally skeptical of them, because evidence of their effectiveness is usually confounded with other measures also being taken when bone fails to heal (nonunion).

    However, there does seem to be good evidence for ultrasound, including placebo-controlled studies in rabbits, rats, and humans (which would avoid confounding by other measures). The best evidence I've read is that it can heal fresh fractures about 30-40% faster and resolves 85% of nonunions. It can be used from the side opposite a metal plate.

    The only available home unit in the US is the Exogen 4000+, which costs up to $2,000 new from the manufacturer. However, there is a secondary market on Ebay, where they typically go for $100-200 lightly used. I lost a few auctions and then won one for $150. If you are in a hurry, you may have to bid more. When the time comes, I can probably resell it for about as much. There is an excellent Buyers Guide available at http://reviews.ebay.com/Exogen-4000-...00000019355500
    However, contrary to what that guide states, replacement batteries are easily available (just Google it). The unit is designed to give a year's worth of daily treatments (365) before the battery needs to be replaced. Don't expect the manufacturer to help, as they will only provide support to the original purchaser.

    The unit itself is small and easily transported. It uses about the same type and intensity of ultrasound as fetal imaging.

    No sure way to know if it is helping in my case, but in retrospect I wish I had bought and used one the first week.

  16. #616
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    19
    Thank you. I just can't seem to sleep the last few nights with horrible hip pain (that I've had since I was in the hospital and they can't explain it) and right below my knee PAIN! I understand that this spot must be where my inside broken parts are since the pain is between my two incisions but it seriously sucks! It's so hot and it feels like I can feel every single pin thing in my body. It's not fun at all. So between the two of those, I can't sleep at night. Most the time just waiting for my bf to go to sleep so I can cry without making him feel bad. I am on a rediculous ammount of pain meds and STILL can feel the pain. Idk what else to do. Sorry for babbling :P

  17. #617
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    1

    What a great site..........

    Hey Guys what a great site..Really helpful members and good information.

    A little about my injury...April 28th 2012 5 mins to go in my rugby game, got tackled, guy wrapped his legs around mine and pretty much tipped me over sideways, heard a loud pop and pretty much instant pain, couldnt stand up so was carried to the sideline. Drove myself (gotta be thankful for automatic cars) to the emergency clinic where an Xray showed a TPF.. Up to the hospital where tests confirmed a comminuted depression spilt lateral TPF that traverses tibia from the anterior to posterior cortex. Both ACL and PCL stretched and also an acute lateral meniscal tear.
    3 Days later i had surgery fitted with a plate and 6 screws, then home 2 days later with a non moveable brace and crutches and 6 week NWB. As you all know the time goes pretty slowly during those first NWB weeks, but i must admit it wasnt as painful as i had expected and was pretty much off my pain killers in the first week. My hardest part was finding a comfortable position to sleep in, also doing the everyday things like showering and using the toilet was a nightmare.
    May 17 back to the hospital for follow up where i was placed in a ROM brace that was set to 90. The joy of being able to bend my knee was amazing never thought id be so happy with the simple things. Did lots of Excercises i found on the internet to try and keep strength in my thigh and calf, and also lots of swimming which seemed to have been pretty successful.
    June 14 Back to the hospital for follow up Xrays, surgeon is very happy with how things are going so has cleared me for PWB. To be honest im pretty much walking around the house now without the use of my crutches, just trying to build up strength and ROM im my leg.

    Im back to the Hospital July 3rd for hopefully final clearance then starting PT. And then back to work part time 7th of July and fulltime 30th July (i work as a chef so its going to be a little tricky)

    So thats my story, i know i got off pretty easy compared to alot of people of here.....Anyway thanks for reading and good luck with everybodies recovery

  18. #618
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    17
    Just an update. Today was my 12 week check up with the os. I went from 20lbs wb to fwb as tolerated! Woohoo! Finally, what great news that I've been waiting to hear! I hope everyone who is waiting for those words too, it comes soon for you. Actually the last week I've started walking 2-3 miles a day with crutches putting almost all my weight. It just felt right and I slowly added more weight. One of the days I walked 2 miles without any help with my own two legs! It felt so good to not use anything, argh crutches! It was not without pain but not in the knee but in the foot,ankle,lower tibia. But that was expected after three months without using my leg other then pt excercises. I had pt just about an hour ago and I walked with a cane, again felt great. Also did some new standing ankle stretches. To all those still in the woods, I'm starting to get out of them now and you soon will too. It's possible to overcome this injury but not without dedication and a drive to get better. Each improvement you should take as a Hugh achievement. This is no walk in the park injury to bounce back from, but definitely possible. By the way my knee does click but no pain with it. More annoying then anything so don't sweat the small stuff. Wish the same success for those to follow!

  19. #619
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    15
    Thank you so very much Sue for your reply and positive encouragement. I so appreciate it. You have really helped me! You told me what I need to hear about consistency and how far to go. I can stretch my leg out on the bed totally now...but when I stand it feels as if it is not straight. I am nearly at 90 degrees bending it, but having a hard time going to the full 90. There is a pool here at our apartment, and I will take your advice and use it when I am a bit stronger. Did you have any issues like pain in your foot when you tried to put a little weight on it? My foot is swollen and very painful when I try and stand a bit on it...Also seems to have nerve damage in that I feel a tight band around my foot on the bottom. My OS said that would take about six months to go away. You have so cheered me up today...I find that with a terrible injury like this the kindness of strangers has been the most amazing thing to me. Friends do tend to think you should just get up and go...like we wouldn't if we could lol! Thank you so much Sue...

    Quote Originally Posted by SueBee View Post
    Hi Sue / France, I think the exercises that Soonerstacy gave you are excellent. These are what we all started with - especially the heel slides. Many times each day. You do need to get it moving. (My OS also promised manipulation under anesthetic if i did not do it myself.) Pushing a little more all the time. The pain should be like a deep stretch into scar tissue but not beyond that. When you stop pulling, there might be residual tenderness. I am now at 114 and increase about 5 degrees a week. Now that I am on a bike and weight bearing - the range is improving by itself. I still do heel slides or chair flexes every day. The extension bridge stretch with the ankle propped up on a coffee table or object are very important too. Do ask your doc if he/she has any suggestions for exercises to improve ROM. Reward yourself with ice and elevation when you are finished a stretching session. The pool is excellent if there is one close by - just walking, neck deep in water so you are putting minimal weight on your injured leg, is good for your muscle memory and ROM. The resistance of the water is helpful.
    Good Luck! and let us know how you do...

  20. #620
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Upper Peninsula Michigan
    Posts
    70
    Congrats on your FWB! You are in the last stretch of your recovery, I hope all continues to go well.


    Quote Originally Posted by Dgw3369 View Post
    Just an update. Today was my 12 week check up with the os. I went from 20lbs wb to fwb as tolerated! Woohoo! Finally, what great news that I've been waiting to hear! I hope everyone who is waiting for those words too, it comes soon for you. Actually the last week I've started walking 2-3 miles a day with crutches putting almost all my weight. It just felt right and I slowly added more weight. One of the days I walked 2 miles without any help with my own two legs! It felt so good to not use anything, argh crutches! It was not without pain but not in the knee but in the foot,ankle,lower tibia. But that was expected after three months without using my leg other then pt excercises. I had pt just about an hour ago and I walked with a cane, again felt great. Also did some new standing ankle stretches. To all those still in the woods, I'm starting to get out of them now and you soon will too. It's possible to overcome this injury but not without dedication and a drive to get better. Each improvement you should take as a Hugh achievement. This is no walk in the park injury to bounce back from, but definitely possible. By the way my knee does click but no pain with it. More annoying then anything so don't sweat the small stuff. Wish the same success for those to follow!

  21. #621
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Upper Peninsula Michigan
    Posts
    70
    France...I too have numbness/tingling sensation in my foot, I too was told should go away. I have noticed that my toes are better but my heal still has a ways to go. I also read somewhere on here that if your incision was laterally instead of medially that you wouldn't have to worry about permanent nerve damage.

    I am now 3 wks from my surgery date. I have been pushing flexing my knee w/o my OS's knowledge. He wanted me to wait until next Friday to start at 10 degrees. I would say I am at about 75 degrees and only go to the point that there is no pain. Just felt that 5 wks with no flexion was too long. We will see what he says next week. I still am NWB till the end of August.

    Keep up the good work everyone and sending updates with encouragement.

    Quote Originally Posted by France View Post
    Thank you so very much Sue for your reply and positive encouragement. I so appreciate it. You have really helped me! You told me what I need to hear about consistency and how far to go. I can stretch my leg out on the bed totally now...but when I stand it feels as if it is not straight. I am nearly at 90 degrees bending it, but having a hard time going to the full 90. There is a pool here at our apartment, and I will take your advice and use it when I am a bit stronger. Did you have any issues like pain in your foot when you tried to put a little weight on it? My foot is swollen and very painful when I try and stand a bit on it...Also seems to have nerve damage in that I feel a tight band around my foot on the bottom. My OS said that would take about six months to go away. You have so cheered me up today...I find that with a terrible injury like this the kindness of strangers has been the most amazing thing to me. Friends do tend to think you should just get up and go...like we wouldn't if we could lol! Thank you so much Sue...

  22. #622
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Posts
    15
    Hi Peaton, I am using the exercises you so kindly gave me and making some progress. I too have been told I will need Knee replacement and will have arthritis..Perhaps we can be the exception to the rule eh? I am curious as to why you had to wait two weeks for your operation? And why you will need more surgery for soft tissue injury?

    I agree that people do not quite understand why we do not just get up and walk! Even my OS seems impatient for me to do just that...I think the pain pills can help to make one feel down as well. I have good days and bad days...I can sit up now and dangle my leg after six weeks, and want to walk so badly. But my leg is way to fragile still...Keep the faith..I know what you are going through....I think that age is a factor. I am older and amazed at the recovery speed of those in their 20s. I wonder if my OS takes that into account. I feel like he sees me as a failure or someone who does not want to do what is necessary...don't know why he gets that idea...I got my black belt in WTF Taekwondo in my 50s...So I am no wimp...But this is harder!!! Try to keep your spirits up!! We will make it!! ..
    Quote Originally Posted by peaton View Post
    c3neely,

    I agree this is one of the hardest things I have gone through and I'm only in week 4 since the injury and 2nd week out of surgery. It is mentally and physically hard to stay up and positive regardless of other peoples trials/tribulations. We have our own.

    I am finding ways to be more independent, but still require lots of help. I keep reading discussion articles on this injury. It seems that there is about a 50% complete recovery for most patients and that takes multiple years, not just 1yr for recovery. Based on these studies, it also seems the hardest thing to rebuild is the quad muscles, especially after the age of 40.

    Unfortunately, I too was told I am one of the unlucky ones, will have arthritis and need a knee replacement, based on my type of injury and injury to the soft tissues (which they haven't even repaired yet). I am willing to give up doing certain things, but others I am not. So I am determined to work hard when I can start flexing and PT.

    Sounds like you are almost there. Work hard at it, it sounds like you are determined to beat it, you can do it! We all can do it!

    It is so nice to have people on here who know what you are going through, can vent, get feed back and support. I have friends and acquaintances that look at me puzzled when they ask questions about my recovery and time it will take. They act like you are milking it. If they only knew, I would much rather be at work, taking care of my husband and animals on the farm; and anything else we have all taken for granted!


  23. #623
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Upper Peninsula Michigan
    Posts
    70
    Hi France

    I would love to take the credit for the exercises but it wasn't me. I didn't look back on prior discussions but I believe it might have been SueBee?!

    Yes, it would be great if we could be the exception to the rule. I too am not a youngster any more either, 47, so I understand the healing process will be slower for us

    It was really only a week and 2 days that I waited for surgery. I live in an area that doesn't have top notch orthopedic care or a level 1 trauma center. So after searching for a quality OS surgeon, I scheduled my surgery with an OS from Greenbay, WI. Dr. Linehan...there are 3 other OS specialists in this office. They all have one or more areas of the body they specialize in. Dr. Linehan is knee, hip and ligament reconstruction. His partner, Dr. McKenzie used to be the OS for the Greenbay Packers pro football team. They were able to get me in quickly for an exam and consult. Based on his schedule and mine (had to make arrangements for my 4 dogs, 2 cats and 2 horses) he was able to get me in 9 days after my initial accident. So far I am very impressed with him, staff and the hospital; their bedside manner was above and beyond as his skills and patience with me.

    He wasn't able to fix any soft tissue/ligament damage because I have a bicondylar tibial plateau fracture. He had to do a bunch of bone grafting due to the depression, hence there was no where to attach/fix anything to. I even inquired prior to surgery about a knee replacement vs. plate/screws fix. Takes much less time for recovery of a knee replacement. But again, because of the depression damage this wouldn't be an option until healed. We are taking the conservative approach with the soft tissue/ligaments. He manipulated my knee while under and said there didn't appear to be a tear of the ACL or PCL. I already had a partial tear of the MCL, so just hoping that is still partially intact. If not he said arthroscopic repair would be used to correct and only set me back a short time for recovery from this.

    So we sit/lay here doing what we can to be one step ahead of the game. I can't wait to be able to bare some weight and start pt. I really can't wait to walk the dogs, groom the horses, make dinner, etc. I have always been very independent and don't like to ask for help. I am learning to get over it, LOL!

    Keep your spirits up. We will prevail!

  24. #624
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    30
    Quote Originally Posted by East Mtn View Post
    Hi, all! It's good to be back on the forum. Just spent an hour catching back up with the thread and [virtually] meeting the newer members.
    ....

    Based on the new instructions from the OS, today was my first PT session with impact exercises, as well ones that put higher stress on the knee. I'm doing well with sets of 15 small, two-footed jumps and wall-sits of about a minute duration. After several weeks of doing ankle lifts of various kinds, my calf is nearly recovered. But the quad has a long way to go. It's much less defined than my good leg, and I can't do any one-legged squats on the injured side. So that, and continued balance/proprioception will be the focus of my next few weeks. I'm trying to get as far as possible before leaving July 8 with my 15 year-old son for a week vacation in Northern California and Yosemite.

    Good to see that people are looking at http://tpf.wikia.com

    Please don't just read it, but also pitch in and add content. There's an enormous amount of experience and wisdom in this thread. We just have to work at distilling it into the wiki, so those who come after us won't have to wade through dozens of pages from years back to extract it all. I feel that I owe a great debt to those who've provided all the information, sympathy, and encouragement. This is a debt we pay forward!

    Best to all,
    Chris

    --
    skiing Snowbird, fx TP, fib, spiral tib 02/09
    surgery ORIF 2 plates, 18 screws 02/10
    compartment syndrome / fasciotomy 02/12
    PWB 6 weeks
    FWB 10 weeks
    Exogen ultrasound weeks 14+
    impact 18 weeks
    Hey Chris! Nice to hear from you again. It's funny as we get more active it's harder to have the time to check in here.

    I am so glad to learn of your progress. Impact sounds good! I can hardly wait. I'm still focussing on stability exercises (and pushing weight which is awesome) I have just started squats - 2 legged.

    I don't know how to add content to the wiki but the next time I have some time and am on my computer (not my phone) I will try to add some of my experiential learning.

    Have a great time with your son in Yosemite. My sister and nieces are in town next week and I am aiming for some long walks with them!

    TPF 03/10
    Surgery 03/13 plate and 6 screws
    RTW 13 days post op (in wheelchair, desk job)
    PWB 7weeks
    Public transit 8 weeks
    FWB 10 weeks + 3 days = Driving! =freedom
    Now at 14 weeks. Slow but steady improvement.

  25. #625
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    30
    It was SoonerStacy who explained the heel slides etc. France, do check out the wikia too!

    Asking for help was a big opportunity for growth for me too Peaton :-)

    Persistence and a positive outlook will carry you both far. Focus on the successes and progress.
    Quote Originally Posted by peaton View Post
    Hi France

    I would love to take the credit for the exercises but it wasn't me. I didn't look back on prior discussions but I believe it might have been SueBee?!
    ....
    I have always been very independent and don't like to ask for help. I am learning to get over it, LOL!

    Keep your spirits up. We will prevail!

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