Tibial Plateau Fracture Recovery

[scjohnson07]

SHarper- I had them tell me the same thing about getting knocked out to force ROM. I am at 60 now after a month and a half of PT starting at 25 deg. I am going Thursday to discuss the benefits and risks with my dr.

[scjohnson07]

Thanks Peaton!

[SHarper]

scjohnson07 - Yep, same here! Let me know how it goes. I was at 25 deg as well and got to 60 in 1 month. I go to the doctor tomorrow...it's frustrating and a slow painful process right now. What was the date of your injury?

SHarper- I had them tell me the same thing about getting knocked out to force ROM. I am at 60 now after a month and a half of PT starting at 25 deg. I am going Thursday to discuss the benefits and risks with my dr.

[scjohnson07]

SHarper- I go to my dr tomorrow as well. Post an update and I will as well. Date of injury was 5/22.

[Casper2012]

Hi all. Went for pre op tests yesterday, pre op clearance appt tomorrow with my reg doc and the surgeon on Monday. Hardware removal surgery is set for next Wed. Then I wait for the bone to heal from the screws to have a TKR. Very scary but I desperately want to walk again. It's encouraging to see how some have progressed so well and yet is sometimes depressing at the same time for me as some of you begin to return to normal life. I'm determined but I know I have a long way to go. I'm anxious to see how much difference if any having the hardware out will feel. I check this site every day and look forward to everyone's posts. We all need a lot of patience to get through this injury. Keep posting everyone and heal well and quickly!

[Casper2012]

I also wanted to mention for those with knee issues as a result of a TPF I found a forum bases out off the UK called kneeguru that has a lot of info. You can Google kneeguru to find the forum.

[TheAshmani]

Casper - how long have you had the screws/plate in for? Any reason why you are having it all removed? My physio and doctor have mixed opinions on whether to keep or remove it. I am my 5th month post operation and still trying to work off the limp. Be keen to know more about your situation.

[Maker]

I had a Schachter VI and mine came out 8 months post injury (2 plates, 12 screws).

Rationale was that it doesnt make your leg stronger and is a foreign body....mine ached. metal could cause more pain when i get older (32 yo)

per Head of Orthopedic Trauma at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC (#1 Orthopedic Hospital in US per US News FWIW)

[Casper2012]

My hardware is being removed in preparation for a knee replacement. After I started weight bearing my knee degenerated with necrosis and started to collapse. It's now bone on bone. Next week will be 6 months since injury. So the hardwares got to come out first. I get a lot of discomfort from it anyway but a lot of doctors prefer to wait a year. I have 2 plates and a dozen or so screws.

[SHarper]

Went to the doc today and although he would like to see a little bit better ROM (currently at 60 degrees) he is happy with the progress I have made. I started PT 4 weeks ago at 25 degree, so it is a big improvement. He wants me at 90 degree in another 4 weeks, and as long as he continues to see progress he will not knock me out to break through the scar tissue. He said he does not prefer to do that anyhow because the bones are still healing and there is a chance of damaging them again. Plus it causes bleeding thus more scar tissue. Also, beginning Oct. 1st I can start to put up to 50% weight on it! I can't wait to start walking again.

[Casper2012]

Theashmani . My hardware has been in 6 months

[scjohnson07]

Wow SHarper I was just going to update mine but mine is EXACTLY the same update! Weird! My dr said the same thing and I am and was at the same degrees.

[1979nd]

Hi guys, I just found this thread and I am in the same boat as you guys.
I am 7 weeks out from my surgery. I had a open comminuted right tibial ptateau fracture due to a surfing injury...well more like a exit strategy gone bad when I slipped on the rocks on my exit and a wave pile drove my longboard into my leg into the rocks!
I ended up getting a external fixture. 4 pins and a traction bar. Since my family is sped out and my friends all have to work I have only been to PT once and since then been trying to do my own PT. I too get swelling in my ankle and foot by the end of the day and have to sleep with my leg elevated if I want a normal ankle/foot the next day. All my pain is typically at night when I am lying down to sleep, then and only then I take my pain meds because I am trying my hardest to get off all my narcs. Anyways I am supposed to get my pins out with in the next month or less and I will update as I go. So far this injury is taking forever and I hate this recovery time line so far but I am doing my best to keep a good attitude!

[Moonstruck]

Hello Maker -

Did you have your surgery yet to remove the plates and screws? My injuries were as follows:

- Right Leg : TPF V1 in my rigth leg with external fixator for 2 weeks, blood and platelete transfusions surgery Nov 2011. 3 plates 12 screws. One screw through my patella tendon and tibia, as it was torn. Screw thru Patella tendon removed in April 2012 with left knee surgery

Also broke 8 ribs (2 inches to right of my spine), 2 vertebrae and had collapsed lung.

I can walk now up to about 3 miles up and down hills, but still need a cane for going down hills. I am always in pain when I start the walks but after about 20 minutes it subsides.

The knee with the plates and screws always feels tight. Can you explain why your Dr thought it best to remove your plates and screws?

Thanks from Moonstruck.


- left leg : TPF in left leg non displaced, torn ACL, torn miniscus, hyperextended, chip in Patella (surgery for meniscus April 2012

[Moonstruck]

I tried to reply to your comment...

I had a Schachter VI and mine came out 8 months post injury (2 plates, 12 screws).

Rationale was that it doesnt make your leg stronger and is a foreign body....mine ached. metal could cause more pain when i get older (32 yo)

per Head of Orthopedic Trauma at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC (#1 Orthopedic Hospital in US per US News FWIW)

[global_dev]

12 wk post op appt today- 14 wks post injury

Doc said all looked great. finally got a good look at the plates and screws. 9 screws total



Full weight bearing now

walked on it for a couple hours with 2 crutches, pretty swollen now
tried a tiny bit of 1 crutch, not ready yet

lots of walking practice ahead of me

i think coaching my daughters soccer team will keep me moving

[SHarper]

Yeah, that is weird! Well it sounds like letting the doc do it is a last resort. Good luck with PT. I know its slow and painful. I go twice a week, but every day I am doing my exercises and trying to push my ROM. I sit with pillows, towels, or the end of the couch under it to stretch it. Doc says it does get easier once i get to 90.

Wow SHarper I was just going to update mine but mine is EXACTLY the same update! Weird! My dr said the same thing and I am and was at the same degrees.

[global_dev]

Was ready for one crutch today. Felt magnificent!! But tiring.

Even went no crutches for 5 steps... such elation over such a small, yet huge, feat.

[Maker]

mine came out in december 2011 (injury was may 2011). pretty straightforward...was on crutches for two weeks after.

[scjohnson07]

SHarper-good luck in your PT as well. I do my at home exercises as well too along with 3x a week PT.

[Righttibia]

Hi Guys,

wish everyone are recovering well.

its 10 weeks post surgery, on partial weight bearing from last 2 weeks,

met doc yesterday, he said start full weight bearing, later said wait for 2 more weeks on partial weight bearing as i complained pain when he was pressing on knee and operated area...

wish u all speedy recovery
Jay

[sk4252]

hi can anybody refer a good doctor in south asia.

[leejem]

7 weeks post break and surgery. Started weight bearing last Tuesday at 6 weeks. Had a session in the pool on Saturday, could walk unassisted in the water and can even swim! Very happy about that and will try and get in the pool 2-3 times a week.

Can now walk short distances with one crutch and even take small steps unassisted. My foot and ankle are sore and limit how much I can do. But very very happy at how much progress I've made in just a week. Hoping to be rid of crutches in another week.

PT twice a week and also having a much needed massage this week. ROM still only around 80 degrees.

[R2d2316]

I'm 6 weeks post surgery 7 weeks post break. I'm allowed to put 25% weight on my leg and hopefully I will go to 50% next week. My knee has been swelling like crazy since I have been able to put weight on it. I am getting so frustrated, being a mom of a 2 and 3 years old. This has been so hard and I can't wait to walk unassisted and will never take walking for granted again. It feels like the light at the end of the tunnel is so far away still.

[HeatherB]

Had first PT today almost 9 weeks post op. Surprised to find that my flexion is 110 degrees and extension -2, have been doing knee bending exercises at home for 3 weeks. Still having trouble walking without walker. Have a quad cane and PT want to help me transition to that. Just need to start building up muscle mass again. I hope all of you going through this have a great week.