Strengthening quads after microfracture. Not walking yet. Help.

[Daenae]

I had a microfracture on Oct 20th.  Was non-weight bearing.  I had my follow-up on Nov 29th and the surgeon wrote gentle PT, bike, elliptical (I can't even walk) and strengthening for pain relief.  I've been in PT since the week following my surgery.

Anyway, my PT contacted my surgeon for clarification on the new script b/c it didn't state anything regarding weight bearing or how much.  I have been doing light touch down weight currently but I can't put full weight down.  I try to when walking with the crutches but my knee gives.  It either pops straight back or gives out. 

Can any of you please give me some insight on how you went from complete non-weight bearing to walking?  Was it hard?  Did it take a while?  What did you do to move your along quicker?

[AndrewH]

I just went for it and was able to ditch the crutches quite quickly. I walked like a snail for the first few days after ditching the crutches last summer but this summer it seemed to be a lot quicker - which is strange because I had open knee surgery this time around and my quad was wasted for the first few weeks.

Try static quad contractions and straight leg raises. I think you just have to have the confidence to go for it when ditching the crutches. Just walk very slowly and try to walking properly, ie no limping. Its hard work!

[Seattlemark]

I had mfx on my left knee in June and right knee in July, both on he lateral Condyles (in addition to cleaning of the meniscus and back of the knee caps). In both cases I ditched my crutches after 1 and 3 days. From what I've heard and read, mfx on the medial condyle is much worse so perhaps this is partially why I was able to walk crutch-free so quickly. Some of it may also have to do with my age (36) as well as prior to my surgeries (for what I thought was simple meniscus surgery) I spent a good amount of time strengthening my quads as I had heard this would speed my recovery. In fact people were amazed how "normal" I was walking 1-2 weeks after each surgery. My left knee feels about 80% better. My right knee (the worse of the 2) has good and bad days. Recently it has had bad days for no apparent reason. Next week is my next followup with the OS. I had originally hoped to be able to return to basketball by Feb-March. Now I'm not so optimistic about that. But we shall see. I continue quad and hamstring strengthening excercises and it does seem to help. But still no running or jumping of any sort.

I guess my recommendations to all that can is to try and strengthen your quads/thighs and hamstrings as much as you can PRIOR to surgery. Good luck!

[Daenae]

I can walk crutch assisted but when I went to walk without, my knee is in such severe pain after just one step.  I am depressed because I feel I'm so far behind others at this point.  I couldn't walk straight away after being non-weight bearing.  My knee would buckle.  Now I can put weight on it and stand but walking hurts so bad. The pain is worse than before my surgery.  ugh.

I think right now I need emotional support.

[poikiloid]

Talk to your therapist about the Steadman rehab protocol.

I recently got some ankle weights. I can wear them all day sitting at work and they give me a good and convenient way to build muscle by reminding me to do strait leg raises and leg extensions throughout the day. You really need to get the muscle back to keep the new cartilage in good condition, and this is a really great way. Wish someone had recommended it to me earlier.