Fractured Patella recovery time

[Rollerblader]

Oz-

WOW, that's terrific!!  My OS did tell me that the best time to do the MUA is between 6-8 weeks post op as long as your bone is healed.  Although it's very scary going into it.  You are in such good shape, I doubt you'll be very sore.  I was very sore after the MUA, but my leg had been so swollen and very stiff and the OS really roughed me up.  I was all bruised after about a week.  I asked my OS later about it and he said they almost gave up pushing because it wasn't budging and then they finally heard the familiar cracking that identifies the scar tissue breaking and giving way.

I'm curious, is your OS a sports medicine specialist and where is he/she located?  During the World Series this year, I saw where Allen Craig, who plays for the St. Louis Cardinals had broken his patella in June and was playing in the World Series.  I researched online and he was actually on the DL for only 6 weeks.  He was back playing in the minor leagues in Aug.  I couldn't believe it.  I was dying to know what kind of Surgery and PT he had.  So if your body cooperates and you have access to top quality physicians, it sounds like there are aggressive routes that can be taken.  I also think that if the bending starts early the scar tissue doesn't have a chance to set up and get stronger.

Good luck and keep us posted.  You should start your own post since your will probably get lost in this one.  It's nice to have sucess stories posted.  It gives people hope.  Thanks for sharing.

Take Care!
RB

[ozski32]

Rollerblader,

My surgeon is based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. I'd say he's sports medicine specialist, he works with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Bearcats. He has his fair share of non-sports related injuries as well though. Either way, I've been very happy with my outcome each time.

I live in Park City, UT though, so since the MUA, I've traveled back to PC. I lost a day or so with the traveling, but I've been consistently making progress with my ROM at PT. Cold- I'll bend to 95-100. Warmed up- at least 110 to whatever my therapist pushes too. It's still been a very slow and painful process but as long as it's progress then I'm happy. I hit the gym at least once or twice a day- leg lifts, SLOW on the bike, light leg press, abs and arms. And I still try to ice whenever I can.

The only negative thing I can't seem to get around is sleeping. My knee is unbearably uncomfortable when I try to sleep. I'm not a huge fan of pain pills, but I've tried numerous times to sleep without an aid and it's not happening. When will this ache end!?!?

So, I'm 2 months out and walking normal which just a month ago seemed unobtainable. I hope everyone else is doing well!

[kurrupt321]

hey glad to see other people with the same problems as myself... i mean that in the kindest possible way.im 24yrs of age and live in the uk. on the 6th jan 2012 i slipped hitting my knee on a curb stone, this caused a displaced fracture to my patella(knee) ( Happy New Year to Me). i underwent surgery havin it pined and fig8 wiring which i beleive is the most common way, its been 6 weeks from that day and im hoping everythings goin ok. after the initial 2week i went in 4 xrays and check up having bandage and staples removed, 2days after my scar opened up due to infection, luckily enough my wonderful mother helped the healing process by tending to me as she would one of her patients as shes a highly respected district nursing manager(uk), due to this it stopped me trying 2  walk, bend and have my knee open from dressings and plaster. im happy 2 say after a week the scar had formed and le me start 2 walk with out crutches, this i have been doing for 4 weeks aided by a leg brace, within the last 2 weeks i have been walking around my house with out the brace or crutches, i do relise i havnt been instructed by my OS but i felt confident enough in doing so i can also bend my knee to a 90 degree ansle anyhing after this and i could scream with pain. my six week check up is today 20/2/12 and im hoping i am ahead of healing and get given to physio department. this is where i start asking my questions.... 1. what can i come to expect from my physio, will i have to undergo hydrotherapy (which i did when i broke my leg 7 months in plaster, honest im not accident prone) 2 what can i expet in the future, will i be able to play sports again eg football/soccer and 4 will i have to undergo physio again when they take the wiring out? and last question 5  i struggle to elevate my leg in front of me but am able to lift it sidewards and behind me, would this be due to muscle deteriation of the knee?. these are just a few questions of many. 1 thing 4 sure is im never going 2 be able to walk through a metal detector at airports as when i did my knee i also broke my nose and cheek bone and had 2 have plates to secure a floating bone im healing and im hoping ill be bk to myself in the next few months..... sooner rather than later. i wish everyone a speedy recovery and reading some post i relise im lucky in the way ive healed and pain threshhold i have.
Regards and quick healing

[Akntter]

It's 13 mths since my comminuted PF. I was lucky to find a good caring trauma doc. Range of motion fairly normal. Main issues are with stairs- down more than up.  Work out at gym 3 times a week. Endurance rather crappy for this 57 yo woman. Dr used lidocaine injection to confirm that I have hardware issue 2 mths ago. Now have a bursa over pins on knee cap. Hardware to be out next week. Doc thinks stair issue and weak medial quad due to hardware. What is the early post-op course like? Thanks
Amy

[Anastasia_a]

Hi everyone! I also broke my patella and have questions abt my recovery. I broke the knee cap in e bigger pieces, and the top part was shattered. Got 4 pins and wire. In a couple days ill be 6 weeks post op, and going for xrays. I walk without crutches but have the brace on. My pt hasn't been really working on my ROM and I cant flex it more than 50 degrees, but I fixed my brace with 20 degrees flexion and it feels pretty comfortable. However I'm concerned, is my leg too stiff for 6 weeks?

[floridanightingale]

Aknatter and Anastasia, how are you doing?  Any progress to report?  Aknatter, I assume you are probably doing better now that you had your HW removed?  That took care of a lot of my issues.  Anastasia, I think it sounds like you are progressing just fine, and I bet by now you have probably gained at least 20 degrees more ROM:)

[debjoe74]

Hi Florida, I am now at 8 weeks post hw removal. I can go up stairs but not down. My knee still swells and gets stiff after a while and especially at night. I am in my 4th week of pt but I hope things can still get better. I try not to walk stifflegged but sometimes I can't help it. Does anyone out there have more info to share? I'd appreciate it. I will say my knee is better after the hw removal. I am driving and moving around more, only very slowly. Thanks, Deb

[Anastasia_a]

floridanightingale, hi! I'm now abt 10 weeks post op, walking without any brace, have abt 120 degrees ROM, gained abt 15 degrees for the past week. Doc was surprised to see me walk without any limp. It's kinda funny to see me walk up or down the stairs:))) just starting the stationary bike too! Thanks for asking! Hope everybody has recovery like mine

[Gamat]

Hi All,

My right knee patella seems getting well in healing. Thanks God.
Tomorrow the 30th will be the wire removal operation around the patella.

To all the patella fracturers, keep the faith!

Regards fm Me

[Akntter]

Hi, can you see my smile? last month my hardware was removed. Life is good. Much of my pain is gone, and has been since the week after surgery. Mobility, I'm getting there. I never thought that my life would return.  I'm not back to normal, but I could live with the way I am. Have faith. The first couple days are a bit rough.
Amy

[floridanightingale]

Great news, Akntter.  Gamat, hope you are doing well post HW removal.

[Cfurrer]

Thanks for these posts,,,,I am almost 9 weeks since a motorcycle accident that resulted in a fractured patella, as well as fractured femur and hip....all requiring the appropriate hardware. But the knee is giving me the most grief!!! I have just started the dreaded physio. I am having difficuly trying to do the exercises at home as I am so afraid of the pain. It is interesting that most of you mention the night pain, as this is when it is felt for me, too. But I take sleeping pills which, at least, allow me a good nights sleep. My friend tells me that natural endorphins are present during exercise, so that also helps me make sense of the delayed pain.
It is most difficult to judge if I am "over-doing-it" as we kind of "pay later".........  And, in my head, I want to "give-er" and walk again....... But actually I am quite chicken.
I also am so jealous of anyone who can simply walk without concern or pain!!!
Anyway, it is comforting reading these posts and having some people who truly understand what I am going through........thanks for listening.

[Susanrubin]

I am almost eight weeks post op from displaced fractured patellar. I am wearing a donjoy brace at seventy degrees rom. No pt yet. I find that if I sleep ony starch or side my knee is stiff and really hurts I'm the morning. It feels better after walking around with the brace on for a bit. I am anxious to start pt but worried that I won't be able to walk without the brace. I can do a straight leg lift with the brace on and I have been experimenting with isometric exercises . I am 67 and in good physical health. Anyone have similar experiences?

[Suejs14]

@Susan - I am in your demographic with a displaced fracture as well.  I was slow in gaining ROM, but am between 135 and 140 now.  I began my journey in April, 2011 -- was discharged from all PT in October of 2011.  I still have my hardware (my surgeon is of the mind if it isn't bothering you, keep it).  I was in the locking brace (set at 70 degrees until I was 8 weeks post surgery -- then gradually increasing the amount of acceptable bend) until mid-August, but kept a cane nearby when walking in airports and in crowds.  I moved last fall and found wearing my brace during the day greatly lessened the stress on my knee.  I've been without it since mid-November -- back to playing golf and enjoying life.  My knee still gets swollen and somewhat stiff if I'm particularly active (and neglect to ice).  So - keep the faith, listen to your PT and dedicate yourself to your recovery.  I spent about 3 - 4 hours daily doing PT (a lot was in the fitness center's warm water pool) as well as two sessions every day at home.  Good luck.

Sue JS

[ozski32]

Hi everyone!

I haven't been on in quite some time. But I thought I'd share my progress. I had my ORIF in December 2011. Since then, I've made it virtually back to normal, with some aggravation concerning my hardware. But I've been very active for the past two or three months- mountain biking, wake surfing, swimming, hiking, and I even went skiing again. Though I was able to do all of these things, I still felt pain with certain movements; especially any downhill hiking or even a basic straight leg. So I decided to get my hardware removed at 8 1/2 months out.

 This morning I had my hardware removed and so far it has been a relief compared to the original surgery (though I highly doubt anything could ever compare to that awful experience haha.) I'll try to post again within the next week or so to let everyone know how it works out.

Thanks for the support in the early months! It only gets better from there, keep up the good work everyone!