Shattered Left Patella 6-4-11

[jeffykneecap]

Hi Lexie, FIRST BATH DAY is awesome, isn't it!!! It may not seem like much to most people, but that's one heck of an accomplishment! The sponge baths work, but the submersion in a real bathtub is totally a refreshing feeling - makes you feel human again. Congratulations, one more step toward becoming a bi-ped.
Do you have a physical therapy person you're working with? My OS prescribed a clinic, and it has been amazing how much progress I've made - although I'm still far from "normal". There is a huge variety of exercises which will build quad strength, and variations can be made depending on your present level. I'm sure I would have taken a lot longer without my PT. Still going 3x per week, and it's been 2 and 1/2 months of working it. On Tuesday, it will be 4 months since the break. It's a haunting reminder for me to slow down and smell the roses.
As for the weight bearing, I never used crutches at all during the recovery. Too much of a baby. I used a walker to get around, and just kept using it for 2-3 days after FWB was allowed. I think it was about a week before I remembered to put the left leg in front of the right when walking, but it did take some concentration for me. Within a week, I returned both the wheelchair and the walker - more out of spite than anything. I just wanted to get moving again, and decided I wasn't going to allow myself the "crutches" so to speak.
Keep healing, work the quad and ice the knee as necessary. Listen to your knee, it will tell you a lot.
Glad to hear you're moving again! It's a very liberating time. Congratulations again!
Hi Sue, glad to hear you're making good progress. Take it easy on the arm, it's important to your golf swing! Hope things are finally getting a little settled for you. We'll be doing the same thing at the end of November. Already starting to pack up the unused stuff. I HATE moving!!!!! Arrrgh! My wife tells me to look at it as a new adventure. All I see is the wasted time packing and unpacking. Let me try to put a little "knee magic" attitude on it, and somehow I'll find something positive.
HEALING WISHES GOING OUT TO ALL OF THE PATELLA/KNEE GANG!!!!
Jeff

[lexielou]

wow...you 2 are a great inspiration to me.  I'm thinking of ditching a crutch tomorrow but don't worry - I'll only do it if my knee tells me it's ok.

I just made tea and felt a bit of a 'sinewy' type click on the inside leg in the knee area.  No pain but afterwards it felt so much more mobile/free on that side.  Scar tissue maybe?

I start physio in 2.5 weeks for twice a week. They've given me a programme of things to do before that and appointment delayed cos I want to get on that plane to France.

Honestly, it is the hottest October day ever recorded - 30 degrees.  We had a very hot April and terrible summer though so it all evens out.  It's great to be able to sit in the garden when you are not very mobile.

Jeff - hope moving goes well.  I always end up hiring a skip before I move out and realise 30% of the stuff can go in it!

love to you both
Lexie

[lexielou]

Last night while watching TV I decided to focus hard on flexing that quad.  When I thought it was never going to happen, guess what?, off it went!  So great to see my kneecap moving via quad.

I ditched a crutch this morning.  Went well and great to have a free hand. Realised you have to be sensible but push yourself to re-learn too.

My pins are starting to stick out so have already decided they will be going as soon as.   

Best wishes to all
Lexie

[jeffykneecap]

Lexie, so good to hear about the improvement! You are ON YOUR WAY! It's a long road, but you can do it when you focus enough time and energy on it. Have a great trip to France! My wife got a last minute invitation, and is flying to France with a girlfriend for a week of cooking classes and sightseeing in the Bordeaux region. She is so excited!
Happy healing wishes to all! Make it a great week! JP

[Suejs14]

Did a dummy today - measuring to hang a mirror and I dropped my arm in an awkward way - it hurt more than anything ever.  I had someone over to help with unpacking so didn't start crying, but sure was on the verge anyway.  I almost threw up, got diarrhea, started wheezing so bad I needed to use my inhaler and followed it up with a leftover oxycodone for dessert.  I've got ice on it now and will rest it totally tonight.  

My FL doc does surgery Wednesdays, so I don't know if he's available tomorrow.  I fly to WI on Thursday, so maybe should wait to see the WI doc?  You think I should go in or wait to see if it calms down?  I'm all for the wait and see, but my brain is like that fried egg . . . On drugs.

Jeffy - French cooking class?  How wonderful!  Maybe she'll decide to cater a knee breakers party and we're all invited?  Where are you moving to/from?

Lexie - congrats on the single crutch.  Keep up the good work.  And yes, the pop/sting stuff is likely scar tissue - especially if you don't have any residual discomfort.

Sue JS

[jeffykneecap]

Oh Sue, I feel SO BAD for you! That just sounds miserable . I'm all for seeing the doc early, but if the icing and Oxy are helping, you may want to wait for WI. Schedule something tomorrow for WI, before it gets worse with another awkward move. It must have been horrible to have invoked those kinds of reactions. I hurt for you.... hope it feels better when you wake up tomorrow.
We're going to stay in Scottsdale, just that the lease is up here at the end of November. I was hoping we'd be able to renew, at least for 6 months, until our 17 year old decides if he's staying or moving out. I hate to make a snap decision and regret it in 6 months, especially in this crappy real estate market!
Lexie, my PT does a scar "scraping". He uses a gel, then goes over the scar tissue to break it up. It hurts like heck while he's scraping it, but it made a big difference in the amount of scar tissue. You have to be really rough on the scar tissue to break it up. Just saying that is what happened for me.
My wife is not a cook, hates it, and will hate that part of the trip, so I'm not getting my hopes up for a nice French meal when she gets back - unless she can find one in the microwave freezer section at the grocery store.  . She's going to be more into the wine and cheese than anything they cook, but she's been warned that she'll to participate in the food prep................. However, if she does decide to try one out, you all are invited to Scottsdale to join me. (I wouldn't book the plane just yet - tehe).
Sue - I just can't get that image of you dropping the arm and possibly tearing your muscle out of my mind - I send all the healing thoughts your way. Last thing you need right now, on top of all the boxes and unpacking and healing of the knee is another apendage going bad. Remember being young and we could bounce back from the most gruesome injuries? (Me neither). Oh, to have that young body without all the old folk pains and creaks.
Be safe and travel well. The rest of us will be rooting for you healing fast.
Healthy healing thoughts going out in all directions tonight.  JP

[lexielou]

Sue,

How are you feeling now?  I feel so bad for you.  BUT...remember you have come through so much already and you will come through this setback too.  There are good and bad days to any kind of recovery process.  Like Jeff, I'm all for you seeing someone asap to took a look at your arm.

Don't try to be brave...I've given up on that one and my mantra of 'I've been through childbirth.  Nothing can hurt me now!'  Sending positive thoughts your way.

Jeff, I'm with your wife on the cooking front.  My lovely man does it all!  I just keep him entertained with witty repartee while he makes dinner. 

Speak soon
Lexie

[Suejs14]

Hi you all - shoulder is improving - finally.  I saw the WI doc's PA on Friday.  She didn't think I tore anything further, but totally aggravated the bursitis.  I'm now on 3x a day anti-inflammatory meds and see my PT this afternoon.  I still have occasional burning referral pain in my arm, but it's not knocking me out like it was last week.  I fly back to FL Tuesday, so several days off from unpacking has probably been good for me. 

Sue JS

[jeffykneecap]

Time for another update on progress. I was at PT this morning, and the knee is feeling so much better. It still feels tight and uncomfortable, but the strength has certainly come back. I'm at 60 lbs, 15-20 reps, single leg press. Funny thing, it's pretty much the same for both legs. I thought the right leg (unbroken) would have been stronger. I pulled a hamstring on Friday, making the wekend pretty uncomfortable. I keep stretching and resting it as best I can. Well, maybe not resting - I did play golf on Sunday at a short easy course. Had two birdies on par 5's, one triple on a par 3, and the rest evenly split between pars and bogies. It feels SO GOOD to be back out on the course again. I just passed the 4 month mark since surgery on Wednesday last week. I really thought it would be January before I'd be playing again, let alone this well. I appreciate the OS' skill in putting it back together, and the PT's wisdom on getting the leg back to strength goals, and the time to work so hard at it. I ran in the Alter G treadmill this morning again. (Anti-gravity treadmill - you wear a wetsuit like pair of shorts and the treadmill has an air pressure feature that decreases your body weight). I was at 6 MPH and 80% weight for most of the 1 mile run. It still is painful with the jarring nature of running.
Anyone have any feedback on the hardware and when to go for the removal? I know my OS mentioned it early, but I thought he said it might be a year. I read another entry that said have it removed as soon as possible, it really makes a difference. I suppose a lot has to do with how well the bones have fused back together?
Happy healthy weeks to all - no more shoulder strains! Best, Jeff

[lexielou]

Glad things are going well, Jeff.  Sue, hope you are on the mend.

I've managed a 40 min walk every day for the last 3 days.  I say 'walk' but you know what I mean.  Still using one crutch but think I will just need physio to say I can try to move without it.

Had a low day yesterday and snapped at everyone.  Feel ashamed of myself today and have a few apologies to make later. 

Off to France on fri - apprehensive about the journey but just going to go for it anyway.

love to all
Lexie

[jeffykneecap]

Hi Lexie, Have a great time in France! Side note, my wife is staying in a chateau in the Bordeaux region, and is having the time of her life! 16th century buildings, archeology, good company.......
Don't worry about snapping - it happens. You're on a journey, and it gets pretty bumpy at times. I took a lot of comfort when Sue and Birdie mentioned that this can be a 1-2 year recovery process (although I believe I'm ahead of that curve). When you tell people how long the process is, you'll get more patience from them too. Your friends and family will stick by you and understand. Forgiveness, it's a gift either way. Best of luck this week with your travels!
JP

[Suejs14]

Jeffy, you are a sage, a man of wisdom.  I'm so envious of your golf.  My knee is fine for golf, shoulder is 4 - 6 weeks away.  PT said 6, I'm hoping for 4.  My PT also told me to make an appointment with an OS when I'm back in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving to evaluate whether PT will be sufficient or if I'll be needing surgery.  My PT was more optimistic earlier in the month, before I re-injured my shoulder.  It is feeling much better (low on pain scale), but is still very weak.

Re: Hardware Removal -- I've been checking and most people have it removed between 9 months (if it is causing problems) to a year . . . not many are scheduling it past the year (since the OS is willing to remove it at that point, I guess they push for it).  I'm still undecided.  It's not bothering me - or I don't think it is.  My knee is achy when it didn't use to be, but I think that's the standing and unpacking.  I've taken to wearing my brace during the day and it makes all the difference!

Lexie -- Totally enjoy France.  You should easily get a cane by then.  I found that if you are able to walk without the cane, it's better to travel in crowds with it -- people don't bump into you and generally step aside when they see you coming.  You don't even have to put weight on it . . . just walk with it.  And, our resident kneeguru sage is right -- forgiveness is both ways -- don't forget to forgive yourself for being a human and acting like one 

Best to you both -- back to the boxes.

Sue JS

[lexielou]

Hi you guys,

Sue will probably have read some of this on my other posting.

Got back from France yesterday and it was the right decision to go.  Boosted my confidence and reinforced the fact that you just need to get out there and start living your life again (in a hobbling about sort of way).

Learnt I should take anti-inflammatories even if I feel ok as was woken at 3am with excruciating pain after lots of walking and too much wine.

I can now see all of the pins and wires on the outside of my knee through the skin.  That's just while resting and not pulling the skin taut.  Got my first proper physio sess tomorrow so need to ask him loads of questions.  Those wires etc must eventually stop you progressing?

France was unseasonably warm (24 degrees) but England today is 14 degrees with a gale force wind.  I nearly got blown off the pavement this morning. Hope your wife had agreat time, Jeff.  I wasn't far from Bordeaux - I was in La Rochelle.

Speak soon
Lexie

[jeffykneecap]

10/21/11 - Four and a half months since surgery. OS released me today, said I've made remarkable progress and there isn't much he can do from here. He noted the "clicking" in the knee, said it may be cartilege on the underside of the patella, and that if it gets worse to make another appointment for arthroscopic removal / shaving. Also said that if the wires bother me, they can be removed in the future, but if not, they won't hurt anything. OS said it may still be a while before the tenderness subsides with the running. There is still some swelling, keep using ice as desired. Suggested I keep working out - need to find a gym membership I guess.
A little bragging - played a really great course at Desert Mountain in North Scottsdale - Chiricahua - shot 47 on the front nine, came back one under at 35 on the back nine. 3 birdies, including the #1 handicap hole. What a treat! I can't remember 9 holes like that in over 10 years. Oh, to be a pro golfer and do that all the time. (I guess it would get pretty boring?) Anyway, sorry for bragging a little, but hope it is taken in the right light - work hard, and you can get back to the "normal" lifestyle. I did not think this day was possible during those horrible first 6 weeks. I credit this site and all those who posted before me with making this possible. Your words of encouragement and hope are beacons to those who follow. I chose to document my own progress/experiences in the hope that others will someday read the thoughts and feelings and experiences will gain the same hope from me that you all have given to me. God Bless you, one and all!
Lexie, glad to hear that France was awesome! Good for you summoning up the courage to go! Sounds like it was a great experience!
Sue, How's the shoulder and the moving?
My wife got back Tuesday night from France - wiped out from the time change. (We're 9 hours different). Finally starting to feel normal today - Friday. Great pictures, lots of wine and bread. Cooking school was alright, but she just wasn't into the cooking and the French food. Most amazing were the caves in the limestone cliffs, dating back to cro-magnon era. Lots of great old buildings, ruins, etc. Just an amazing time, so happy she had a good time, but glad to have her home.
Healing wishes to all! -Jeffy

[lexielou]

Great news, Jeff!   You are inspiration to us all.  Don't stop posting your updates now you are walking free in the world!

You really have to keep going through the ups and downs, don't you?  Started physio on wed which was quite brutal but I felt I progressed so much in just 15 minutes it was worth the pain.  Ditched my crutches in the house but not ready yet to go out without 1 in hand.

I've walked every day for the last 3 weeks and yesterday did a total of 5 miles walking (3 seperate walks).  Was exhausted by 6pm. Fortunately remembered to take the anti-inflammatories so wasn't too much pain.

The top wire is starting to bother me already so at the next visit to my surgeon I will be pushing for a date to have them removed.

Every morning my knee is as stiff as a board and I have to run a mental check on how to get out of bed, walk etc.

Glad your wife enjoyed France.  It is a lovely place (though of course not as great as Britain - ha ha). It's a long way for you to go but only 1 hour for me so I tend to go and see my friend about twice a year and she comes over here twice.  We usually do the ferry/car which the kids love.

Have a great weekend.  Winter has arrived but lovely and sunny.

best wishes
Lexie