LCL damage & surgery

[atkpilot]

Hello all - Background - Tibia Plateau Fracture in Aug '07 (Afghanistan helo accident),  Surgery/ (plate and screws) installed Sep '07,  Installed hardware began to loosen in May '09 (Iraq),  Hardware removed May '09.
Continued moderate pain and outside of knee instability (diagnosed LCL damage),  Scheduled for LCL reconstruction surgery some time in Oct '10.  Wondering if anyone could shed some (general) light on what I am in for (time in surgery, PT, etc) any help much appreciated.

[lenorem9]

1st I'd like to say thanks for serving and 2nd I'd like to say I'm glad you survived the helo crash but sorry you smashed your knee. 

Might be hard to find someone one here with just LCL recon to compare.  Most injure 2 or 3 ligaments together when they do the LCL. 

Good luck.  Hope it goes well and you get back to doing everything you want.

Lenore

[atkpilot]

(2+) weeks posted, 115 views and only 1 response (thanks, lenorem9)   Come on people, I know someone out there has had a similar set of circumstances.  Maybe this forum is reserved for those with an injury of a more "personal" or "self-centered" nature.  Would it be more benificial to change the circumstances of my injury to say "slip & fall", or better yet the ever-popular "skiing" accident.  Honestly, someone step-up and reply.  Preferably someone with an injury/ was injured doing something bigger than one's self.               

[kpoppy]

Hi atkpilot-

Lenorem9 is right- an isolated LCL rupture is not common.  Unfortunately, I too, cannot directly relate to your series of injuries and courageous mechanism of injury.  However, I have recently had a posterolateral ligament reconstruction (and ACL revision) 4 wks ago.  Thankfully, my LCL and popliteus were intact.  My problem was that my posterior capsule was severely deficient, causing too much hyperextension.  Anyway, that part of my surgery seems very similar to an LCL reconstruction that you are scheduled for.  The allograft ligament is just placed further to the back to control the hyperextension; whereas the LCL is placed on the side to control the varus force (or bowing of your knee).

Your rehab, of course, will depend on your surgeon's protocol, and formal PT will depend on how diligent you are at home or if you have access to a gym.  I plan to just check in every few weeks to progress my program.  I'm told ~3-4 months before I can return to my job that requires me to stand/walk all day.  9-12 months for light recreational activity.  This is my general post-op info: 4 wks NWB, slow progression to full wt bearing by 8 wks, long leg post-operative brace locked at 10 degrees, and then longterm use of a functional brace to control stress on the new ligament.  My lateral incision is about 4 1/2 inches.  An achilles allograft was used.  I was told the surgery time was 5 hours (also incorporated the ACL and peroneal nerve decompression though).  I'm sure there are many variations in repair techniques, protocols, and experiences.  I'm sure you know that maximizing your strength and flexibility pre-operatively is key.

Something also to consider is your general limb alignment.  I've read a frequent cause of LCL failure is not addressing varus malalignment.  Did your surgeon do full leg X-rays to determine your weight bearing line?  Over time, chronic injuries such as yours, can lead to exaggerated varus deformity.  Hope some of this is helpful to you.  KP

[atkpilot]

Thanks for the response, you are correct in the area of full leg x-rays.  My os has stated that he has ordered them, but has yet to schedule me for them.  I have been told that hyperextension is a big problem with initial injury and certainly for re-injury.  Your post-op accessment seems to be right-on with what I have been hearing.  Thanks again for posting and good healing!!!   

[Alan-UK]

I would be interested to hear how this goes for you.   My OS told me this morning that I have knee instability and will have to have the same surgery (LCL reconstruction), though I have to wait for my fracture to unite first.