Does it sound like I have arthrofibrosis?

[Cardinal]

This is my first post and I could use some help and encouragement! On July 11 of this year I had an accident with an ATV and really messed up by right knee, had a compound fracture of my tibia, and injured the peroneal nerve so that I have a drop-foot. The tibia healed fine, but my knee didn't. My OS did a reconstruction with an allograft of the ACL and some other things which I can't read on his description. I just assumed everything would work out ok and I would be in rehab for a few months and then back to normal. My OS did say my injury was a 12 on a scale from 1 to 10, but also that he had seen similar injuries heal completely and the injury was just a memory.

I spent 10 days in the hospital with 2 surgeries on my knee, the first one to stabilize it and put on external fixators, then the 2nd surgery 1 week later to reconstruct the knee. I went home 4 days later and then spent 6-8 hours a day on a CPM for 11 weeks. I had no weight bearing for 2 months, then could weight bear as tolerated. I have been in PT for almost 2 months 3 times a week and also do 4 hours of exercise at home every day.

In the CPM I was able to get to 110, but I now only have 90 degrees of flexion. On my last visit to my OS he recommended a MUA to break up the scar tissue. I had this done on October 19. He only gained 5-10 degrees which I haven't been able to keep. And the pain following the procedure was awful for about 2 weeks. The swelling and pain is now about back to where I was pre-MUA. My OS said there is nothing else he can do for me.

I have pain all the time and the knee just feels tight like there is a band around it squeezing. Neither my PT or OS can tell me if the pain will subside. I also have nerve pain in my ankle and foot from the peroneal nerve damage.

I've read many of the posts here and the tutorials and see that time is of the essence to have any other surgery to remove scar tissue. Since my OS doesn't seem to want to pursue anything else, I am going to call and see if I can get a second opinion. I realize I have to take control of this as I have been too trusting that things would just work out. I live in South Dakota and wonder if anyone has gone to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for knee surgery?

Does anyone else have a similar story about knee or peroneal nerve damange or some insight that could help? It is good to know that there are lots of people dealing with knee problems. I sure took my knees and pain-free days for granted!

Thanks for reading,
Beth

[knee deep in Goo]

I think there is a whole board dedicated to this topic.   I am sure if you post in that area. Many good souls would be able to sort your questions out..

And Yes. We do take being pain free for granted until we loose it.  But stay strong.. One day your knee will be great.   I would def see a second or third doctor in large hospital area.

[hottubpam]

Beth,

First, you have posted in the correct section on this bulletin board.  In my non-medical personal opinion it sounds like you have all the classic symtpoms of arthrofibrosis.  You really need to see an OS that has had success in treating this disease.  There are only a handful of them in the U.S. and unfortunately I have not heard of anyone that was treated successfully at the Mayo Clinic. 

Go to the following link and you will see a list of surgeons that have a definite protocol in effectively dealing with MOST cases of arthrofibrosis.  I strongly encourage you to go at least one of them on this list to get a confirmation of your diagnosis and discuss appropriate treatment protocols.

http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEtalk/index.php?topic=16156.0

Good luck and let me know if you have further questions:

Pam