Microfracture - pain on moving weight bearing

[LouiseW]

I'm almost 7 weeks post microfracture to small defect on outer left tibeal plateau sustained in skiing accident last year.  6 weeks NWB as instructed but OS said to move now straight to full weight bearing.  Trouble is I can't as it is too painful. Not just the 'dull ache' the OS said to expect.  No swelling and almost full ROM but pain in the joint whilst weight bearing, strangely, down my outer shin and over medial aspect of knee - nowhere near the defect!  I know it's only been a couple of days but does this sound normal?  My Physio is much more cautious than OS and instructs both crutches when outside the house and one inside.  Also, not even to start on stationary bike or swimming for another week. 

A related issue - I was delighted to read that I am not the only person experiencing the bizarre cold purple foot phenomenon!  Sometimes it looks like I am wearing a red sock.  Mine came on about 3 weeks post-op and I also have pins and needles when I first put my foot down and seem to have lost some movement in my 2nd and 3rd toes.  Demonstrated to the OS how my foot kind of 'fills up' with redness when not elevated.  He was flummoxed, had never seen it before and has referred me to a vascular surgeon.  Will let you know what he has to say, although it may not get that far as it does seem to be improving marginally since I've started walking on it again.

[casey2291]

Hi there,

Tomorrow will be six weeks post-op for me.  I was just given the go ahead to start weight bearing yesterday.  I went into the OS office on crutches and walked out without them.  My OS sounds like yours just teling me to ditch the crutches and my PT is saying to use the crutches some.  I don't have an answer to your question since I am about in the same place as you recovery wise, but I can tell you that I am getting pain in other areas of my knee other than the microfracture spot.  I am also getting some pain at the micro spot.  However, none of my pain has been bad like you are describing yours to be. 

That is bizzare that you said about your second and third toes have lost movement.  Mine have too.  I thought that it was just me, but I can't bend either of those toes like I can on the other foot.  I am hoping that the movement returns as I start to walk more. 

Hopefully, someone else here will be able to give you some info.  I just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one who has lost movement in the toes.  I hope you pain gets better soon!!

Casey 

[John1]

Hi,

I had microfracture on the medial femoral condyle (MFC) two weeks ago, so I've been reading a lot about the rehab. In that video of Dr. Steadman's lecture (at the link in this forum) he says that patients are smart and know not to do too much. He says if your knee feels perfect at six weeks, you should go to weight bearing, but if it is still painful at eight weeks, you should stay on the crutches. In your case, it sounds like it could just be pain from not having used your muscles for seven weeks.

You said you weren't allowed to do stationary bike or swimming yet. Dr. Steadman likes to start these within two weeks, the bike without resistance and deep water exercises in a pool. We'd all be interested in what your rehabilitaion has been so far other than nonweight bearing.

My foot gets red when I'm standing up or sitting. I don't really feel it, but if I touch it with my hand it feels cold. It isn't so bad that I'm concerned.

Good luck,
John

[LouiseW]

Thanks for your replies Casey and John.  My rehab up 'til now has been fairly standard quad strengthening but I can only tolerate ankle weights on the SLRs.  Too much pain in the knee if using them with flexion.  Now I'm bearing some weight my physio has added in calf raises and butt clenching to try and get everything working again.  Unfortunately I can't yet manage even very gentle shallow squats with my back against the wall.  I'm really looking forward to getting back in the pool next week although I'll be avoiding breast stroke legs.  Swimming has really helped my recovery after earlier scopes so I'm hopeful it might move things along.

Let us know how you your rehab progresses.

[stgiles16]

JOhn, ankle pumps will help with the cold and tingly foot. It gets the circulation going again.
Just sit wherever and move that ankle.

good luck guys

missy