Shattered Left Patella 6-4-11

[Suejs14]

Hi LL and Jeffy,

Shoulder is improving - even with a re-ooops yesterday.  I was shocked at how minor an inconvenience that oops was compared to a couple of weeks ago!  I must be getting stronger, yes?  I figure I'll be mostly settled by the end of the week.  I've got a custom closet for my bedroom and a custom pantry for the kitchen which will be installed tomorrow and Wednesday.  Then I'll be done with the unloading phase of moving in . . . and into the re-arranging phase which goes on until forever.

I'm going to join a gym once I've unpacked the last box (this week, I hope) so I can properly exercise my knee and shoulder.  I haven't done a leg press in a month now and wonder if I've lost strength.  I'm walking well and handling steps pretty normally.  I still have to do lots of massage on the lateral side of my knee to keep the retinaculum from being too tight, triggering mal-tracking of my patella and the accompanying clicking/popping of my knee.  I hate the clicking!

Jeffy - Yikes, what a great back nine!  Your friends are going to line up to smash their knees in order to get that good at golf    Never apologize for the bragging -- you're doing great and truly inspire the newbies adding their questions to this board.

Sue JS

[sintu]

Hi Jeffy!

Just getting around to reading your diary now 6 weeks after my own operation. I think you offered me some words of encouragement at the start (thanks for that!!) but it's all been a blur so I haven't been posting much. I'm only now beginning to get my focus back

Wow! I am so impressed with your quick, steady and extensive recovery. I'm amazed that you started out with such high ROM. Do you mind me asking you how? Or how you increased it so steadily?I started physio last Friday at only 35 degrees, pretty pathetic compared to yours! Now, five days later the CPM was cranked up to 60 today but I was too much of a baby to let him go to 65. My doctor is talking MUA so I really want to have made some progress before I see him on Thursday. My knee feels so stiff at home though and I can't imagine how I will bend it tomorrow on the CPM. I am walking a lot, and have been since the start, at first on crutches but around the house just hobbling. My doctor said it was okay to walk but he may not have meant that much! Could this be affecting my slow ROM gain, do you think? SOrry for all teh questions, it just seems to me you might be the man with some answers!!!

ANyway, congrats on your recovery. It's inspiring.

S

[lexielou]

Hi Jeff and Sue,

Hope all ok with you.  I've been posting my progress on the thread I started instead of clogging up yours!  I'm doing ok and had my 2nd physio session today. I'm at 110 degrees ROM and its definitely felt easier in the last few days.

The pain was hell at night last week so I had to take a regressive step and go back on prescription painkillers at night.  Did this happen to you when you started physio, Jeff?

I can now walk upstairs like a normal person - WOO-HOO! 

Back to see the surgeon next week and my doctor has said I must get a date for wire removal as they are 'unsightly'. I look like a have a cyst the size of a pea on the bottom of my knee.  To be fair the surgeon hasn't seen it yet as the swelling was too big last time.  Now you can see pretty much all the wiring through my skin - very attractive.

Hope you are still enjoying French cuisine, Jeff.

best wishes,
Lexie

[Suejs14]

Hey Lexie -- your progress is astounding!  You're gaining ROM so quickly.  I was such a turtle.  I haven't seen my PT for over a month and have no idea where I'm at.  I just started doing my rehab again today -- I'd spent the past month unpacking and moving into my new place.  Now all's nearly done, so I can return to a more normal life.  I was surprised at how much bend I was able to accomplish today . . . quads were "ok" . . . not great.  And, my knee is a concert of percussionists . . . lots of crackling, drumming sounds.  The patella is tracking okay, but whoa the crispy critters are chattering away in there.  I'm hoping it's not going to lead to arthritis - will have to check with my PT when I see him next.  I've decided my shoulder is better enough to give golf a try -- heading out on Friday to play.  Might not be a bad idea to hit balls earlier, but I still have trades people coming to do stuff the next couple of days so may not have time.

Best to you and Jeffie . . . you walking like a normal person, Jeffie eating French food . . . I'm jealous.

Sue JS

[jeffykneecap]

It's mid-November already? Time funs when you're having flies!
I almost feel like apologizing for taking so long to post in between - I remember how important it was for me to read the updates from TWGB's "those who've gone before".
A couple of answers to other replies first: 1) Lexie - Great news about the PT! I'm glad to hear you're walking more normally. I believe that if you work hard early, without pushing so hard you re-injure, you will have the best success at getting back to a "normal" level of activities. (We all know that normal is a relative term, and does not reflect what other bi-peds might think is normal). Keep up the great work Lexie! You sound like you are working hard and getting the results, and that will sustain you as you continue to push through rehab. 2) Sue - I am SO jealous you're out playing again! Back to back days! How did you have such quick progress for your shoulder? Happy to hear the moving is done, too. It is quite a distraction - so time consuming. It did help me part with a lot of junk I'd been hauling around for years. Goodwill was grateful! You deserve the speedy recovery after the year you had! 3) Sintu - You sound like you are making great progress! Regarding the ROM, I just kept working on stretching daily - no matter how tired or stiff i was. Even if I couldn't get the full ROM, I did something. I wouldn't worry about the scores initially, just the progress. I found that keeping it moving seemed to help the stiffness - I bought a recumbant bicycle to keep it moving. I also found that I really needed to concentrate on walking normally. What i mean is, concentrate on putting my bad leg out in front with a similar extension to the good leg, and not allowing myself to limp on it. It's pretty easy to allow the gimping, but it really doesn't help with the recovery. For me, it took dedicated concentration. I noticed most when I took a trip to the beach and walked in the sand. It was a great exercise. For me, the amount of walking was never an issue, so I wouldn't be too concerned about how much. You may want to start concentrating on the quality of the steps rather than quantity.
Now my update - still have the minor stiffness and minor pains. Yes, it still clicks, but less so if I keep it moving and using the bike. I neglected to join a gym or continue exercise classes, but try to do things that will continue to strengthen the knee. The hard part is trying to keep up the pace of the intense PT I did when i was first released. Weather has been an issue with the golf game, and now that we're in the snowbird season, rates have gone up significantly. I've backed off of the number of rounds, but am hoping to get out again - maybe over Thanksgiving weekend.
Shattered patella's are a horrible thing when they happen, and certainly take time to heal. My experience of following doctor's orders not to move the leg for six weeks, then intensive therapy (3x per week, plus home exercises) for another 8 weeks was a good start. The knee is still weird, and other people won't get it. They think that just because you are walking relatively normally, everything is completely back to normal. As has been said many times on this board before my time, it takes many months to heal - some have said more than a year. I'm looking forward to the day where this old left knee isn't still the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing before falling asleep. Fortunately, I haven't needed meds to mediate the pain, it's just a discomfort level.
Sorry it has been so long since posting. It was important to me during recovery to be able to ask questions of TWGB. I'll try toto do a better job of keeping up the reports, and responding to questions. Thanks for following the posts.
As always, congratulations to all on your progress. Your positive attitudes are a beacon for those who will follow. Mind over matter - if you don't mind, it don't matter. Make it a GREAT week! Happy healthy healing thoughts going out in all directions.   JP

[lexielou]

Great to hear from you, Jeff. Don't apologise for not posting for a while as it's a good sign you are starting to get out there!

If you have a look at my posts under 'bone breaks around knee' you will see my hardware problems got worse quickly and they took all of it out yesterday.  Only 13 weeks post surgery.  Now I feel I can really start to move on without the thought of another op next year (hopefully!)

Best wishes,
Lexie

[Suejs14]

Hi Jeffy,

You are on the right road - and giving great advice as well.  My shoulder's biggest issues were inflammation and lack of strength.  Big time prescription meds brought the inflammation down and I've been doing PT to strengthen it.  I just saw my WI surgeon who prescribed more shoulder PT -  will find someone in FL and continue working on it there.  I've been hitting the ball shorter (lots), so asked for a medical disability handicap adjustment so I won't be such a liability in team play.

Knee is not giving me too much trouble - still working on ROM and quad strength, but it supports me through the golf swing.  My golf pro suggested getting a Total Fitness gizmo to use at home, so I'll check t out.

Lexilou - no hardware!  Wow.  I'm still undecided whether I'll ask to get mine removed next spring.  Be careful and somewhat protective of your knee from bumps and such.  I'm sure it's mostly healed, but it can't hurt to be cautious.

Best to all

Sue JS

[jeffykneecap]

Thought I would post the 6 month UPDATE. Again, my many thanks to those who've gone before (TWGB). Your experiences and lessons were instrumental in my own progress at joining the bi-ped movement. I am truly thankful for all the friends who have made recovery from this shattered patella less difficult with their encouragement and understanding of the seriousness of the injury.
6 MONTH PROGRESS REPORT - As you know, the injury date was June 4, so December 4 marked the 6 month point. I am now able to golf and jog relatively normally. I was surprised that the joint has healed enough to start jogging again. (I'm pretty out of shape, so I don't jog very far anyway.) After PT, I neglected to join a gym or continue most of the exercises on any sort of a regular program - however, I still seem to be improving in strength and control despite the regular regime. Looking back, I think the key was following the doctor's advice to keep it immobile for the first six weeks and then the intensive PT 3 times a week for 2 or 3 months right after. I would not have progressed without my wonderful PT coaches.
I still have a significant amount of noticeable tenderness in the kneecap and some stiffness. It's a constant reminder of my human frailty. I don't limp, so most people have long since forgotten what a trauma this was for me - and still is. But the regular thought about the knee reminds me to be thankful for the gift of health. I don't really appreciate something until it's gone. This has been a good reminder to me to stay focused on those things that are important - health, family and friends.
I thank you, my friends, for your collaborative contributions, and your encouragement. I am sincerely grateful.
Wishing everyone in our community special holiday greetings this year, and good wishes for a happy, healthy, pain-free new year!
Jeffykneecap

[jeffykneecap]

April 14 2012.
Shattered Patella update. Still have all the wires and screws. Haven't been to PT since Oct or so. I still feel the tightness in the knee joint, kind of a constant reminder to slow down and watch where I'm going.
Functionally, the knee operates fine. I've played golf, started jogging (although quite out of shape and can't go far without seriously huffing and puffing). The pain has subsided, but the stiffness, tightness go on. I know I need to do more stretching and working out. Hopefully after we move to our new place (where we have a fitness room), I'll be able to get a schedule worked out............
For those reading through the diaries, looking for answers, keep the faith. I'm reading a few tonight where it's been 4 weeks and 6 weeks since surgery. Although those seemed like the darkest days, your attitude will determine your healing. Work hard, listen to your docs and PTs. Most of all, listen to your body. YOU CAN MAKE IT BACK FROM THIS!
Blessings to Sue and Birdie, hope all is well.

[Suejs14]

Jeffy - thanks for the blessings -- yup, things are going well.  I (fast-walked) a 5K over the weekend -- and the only sore parts were muscles.  Golf is beginning to return to form, still working on quad strength so I can support the swing better, but I'm finally getting my distance back.  My biggest gripe is mal-tracking of the patella when doing stairs . . . it typically "clicks" with every step up or down.  I figure I need to do more work on the muscles around the knee.  I know I have some tendon and retinaculum tightness which aggravates the condition, so I need to stretch/massage it more regularly.

Sue JS

[lexielou]

Hi Both,

Long time, no write!  I've had a rollercoaster ride with life not just the knee since i last wrote.  I had to find a new job and close a company - did that then contracted pneumonia.  Thought health issues couldnt get any worse after the last 10 months.  As a consequence I did no physio or exercise for 8 weeks.  Halted my progress somewhat but back in the saddle (not literally).

Now focussing on getting fit again.  Started swimming breaststroke on Sunday - worked my knee in a way it hasnt since the accident.  Rowing machine, cycle and weights today and feel ok.  Hoping to try badminton next week.  After 10 months i still only have 50% relative strength in my bad leg so my physio is getting me to push that leg further/harder.

I can sit cross-legged and kneel in a weird way (though still makes me super nervous).  And how strange it is to kneel with the deadened nerves!

My knee still clicks and looks pretty ugly at the top on the scar.  When i bend it fluid bulges at the sides but my physio says thats due to weak cartlidge and i will just have to live with it.  The least of my worries.
Hope you chaps are doing ok.  All go in England with the Golden Jubillee, Euro Football Championships and Olympics coming up....let's hope the monsoon stops soon.
Love
Lexie
 

[jeffykneecap]

October 1, 2012 - I see another unfortunate break on Sue's board - Phil. I hope he will find these posts and realize that there will be life after the ORIF. While there is still that lingering and nagging noticeable feeling, I walk normal, play golf, exercise, etc. It will never be "normal" again, but as long as you remember tahat you're not Superman (or Superwoman), life gets better. those first 6 weeks of healing seem like a long time, and the rehab was bitterwsweet - but it will pass. There are a great bunch of winners on these boards - read the stories, share the success and build the encouragement.
Phil - if you're reading this, take hope brother. You are part of an elite club of winners. Go forth and heal!
-Jeff

[Suejs14]

Hi Jeffy
Saw Phil's post and yours so thought I'd drop by and say hi.  I'm ever the optimist and hoping to get my handicap down the last couple of strokes, returning to pre-knee wonderful ness.  I was recently appointed to the USGA Senior Women's Committee and found I was able to referee matches over undulating terrain.  I've been playing out of a cart instead of walking, but may return to hoofing it next summer.  My FL club (and most down here) requires the use of carts.  My bike needs air in the tires, so it's next on my to do list.  My quad still isn't up to snuff, but that's my lazy fault - I'm planning an all out assault to get it back.  I've had mal-tracking issues - lots of clicking.  I'm hoping working the leg will strengthen the muscles around the patella to stabilize it better.
Best of luck to you - Sue JS

[Comminuted11]

Dear Jeff,

Thank you again for your kind words during a difficult period. Those initial weeks were something awful.  But for the kindness of strangers... Good luck to you and thank you.

Philip

[lexielou]

yoo hoo from England.

15 months post break and life is almost normal.  In fact, when you break your knee you have a 'new normal' and once you accept that you will be ok.  Focus on what you can do rather than what you can't.  My old chum the dodgy knee wakes me up with a dull ache every morning at 5am,  doze off again and then the 4 year old jumps on my head at 7am 

I'm discharged from physio at 72% strength of my good leg but that's ok.  I swim, play badminton, go to the gym...i try and do something every day  though time doesn't always allow it.  My final hurdle is to get back to yoga.  Soon.  I value my body and the independence I lost for a while.

Keep smiling....good things can come out of traumatic events