PAIN! Patella fracture & repair 9 years later!!! No better!

[Mrs.W]

9 years ago I fell down a flight of concrete stairs & broke my patella in half. Had surgery to repair- standard 2 hollow screws & figure 8 wire. I'm 36 years old.... I can walk, climb stairs, and exercise. But I am in excruciating pain 24/7. Pain is a 10. Went to ER 6 weeks ago & xrays showed all was well. It's a terrible ache. Like arthritis on steroids!!! I can't live this way. I have 4 kids and I am no good to anyone as a cranky unhappy miserable painful woman. What should I do?

[Jond]

You need an MRI, not just an X ray

And need to see a specialist knee surgeon

I presume you've already tried every painkiller going?

It's good you are still mobile

[Mrs.W]

Thanks for your reply! Happy to say I am 5 days post op from my hardware removal!!!!!! Praying my recovery will produce good results!

[Sara Z]

Hi!

Just read your post, so I realize this was ahwile ago.  Just wanted to check in to see how you are doing?  I too have 4 kids, one is an active toddler, and also fell and completely broke my patella in half.  Not sure if I read your post correctly, but have you had your hardware in for 9 years!?!?!  That is astounding to me!   How are you feeling now?

I am scheduled to have mine out Mar. 7th, 7 months after the initial fall and surgery.  I am not sure if this is too soon?  How long/difficult was (or is) your recovery from the hardware removal?  How long did you have to do physical therapy afterwards?  I would love to hear details of how you are and what it has been like. 

I hope you are feeling much much better!  Hope to hear from you soon,

Sara

[Mrs.W]

Yes, I had my hardware in for 9 miserable years due to insurance issues. It was literally hell on earth. Now I'm about 8 weeks post op from the removal, and I have to say that the first 2 weeks after surgery were excruciating for me. Probably because they were so deeply imbedded after so long. Anyway I'm feeling much better now, achy of course, but thats been normal for me since 2002 so whatever.... But the pinching agonizing pain those screws and wires caused me on the lower portion left of my kneecap  is definitely gone!!! So happy I finally had the hardware OUT!!!
I am sorry you suffered this heinous injury.... It's really a life changing experience! My prayers go out to you for your removal surgery! 7 months is amazing! You'll probably bounce right back! Best of luck!  Keep me posted!!

[Mrs.W]

Oh & I haven't had to do any phys therapy. I'm back at the gym! Working it in my own!

[Sara Z]

Wow-I cannot imagine living with this for 9 years.  That's unbelievable. The doctor originally told me I would have a 50/50 shot at a second surgery to remove the hardware.  Looking back now, as much as I am dreading another surgery, I cannot imagine that anyone could permanently live with it!

So glad to hear you are doing better!  Are you still limping?  Were you ever?  Could you tell me a bit more of what this recovery has been like?  My quad muscle completely collapsed after the initial injury and surgery.  Took me months of rehab to walk without using a walker or crutches.  Now I'm walking with probably only a small discernible limp-but things like stairs or lifting my leg onto the bed, etc. are still difficult.  Did you have to wear a brace after the removal or use walker/crutches to get around?  I'm hoping I am imagining a much worse recovery than what it truly will be like.

You are completely right--this has been a life-altering experience!  One I have a hard time truly explaining to others.  Any more info you could give me would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks so much!!  Hope you continue to improve!  Impressive you are at the gym on your own!!
-Sara

[Mrs.W]

It has truly been one of the worst experiences of my life. I had jut had screws removed from my ankle (same leg) from a fracture I had sustained when I was 15 a year prior to fracturing my patella. (fell off horse shattered left ankle) somehow the knee has been more difficult. Don't know if it's because I'm older, or just the nature of the injury/location.

My quad has NEVER ever come back since August 2002 when I broke my knee. I wish I had better news on that subject. My left knee has never ever looked normal. It has been enlarged and it protrudes quite a bit which I think is partially due to the lack of quadriceps.

I never really had rehab. In 2002 The physical therapist said I needed deep tissue abdominal massage because she believed my 'weak abdominals' were the resul of my 'clumsiness' & accidents. HELLO I fell off of a crazed horse & then inwas running down a flight of concrete stairs! Needless to say I never went back.

Fast forward.....I am 4 days shy of being 2 months post op from my patella hardwre removal. The first 2-3 maybe 4 weeks were painful. Very. As I said I don't know whether it's related to the fact hardware was in so long... But I was almost regretful that I subjected myself to that hell. The entire insicion site was reopened. He attempted to open only half but wires and screws were deeply imbedded & he had a hard time getting them out.  Again probably due to the 9 years.

I was on crutches for about 2 weeks with a bandage and immobilizer sometimes. Weight bearing shortly after.
At this point I am still sore and achy, but the PAIN I was experiencing from the hardware was much worse! I can live with this! There is no more metal digging into me! Halleluyah!

I rarely limp, only after strenuous exercise and on rainy days.
Running is a bit challenging, but I can!!!!!!!! I am doing 20-30 minutes on elliptical 3-4 x per week & strength training. I hope my quad will come back to life!!!!!

Let me know if there's anything else I can tell you!! It was 100 kabillion percent worth it!!

[Mrs.W]

Up stairs are a little easier than down for some reason. I also remember that from the initial injury. It took me a LONG time to come down the stairs normally. I'll try to remember to pay attention next time I come downstairs as to how my progress with that is!

[debjoe74]

Hi, I am almost 2 weeks post op hardware removal. I had my hw in for 1 week shy of 6 months after breaking patella in 3 pieces. After 1st surgery, immobilzed for 6 weeks, then 3 mos. pt 3 x a week. I could only get to 125 rom and my knee was very stiff and  would buckle a lot. I and my os felt it was due to the hw. Now my knee is still stiff and the knee cracks in several places which is irritating. It is only 2 weeks but the knee is sore. I wonder how long it will take to walk w/out a crutch. Rollerblader is another kneegeek who recently had her hw removed and I think is doing great. I believe I'm older than most of you. I'm in my fifties. I am so tired of this knee problem. Anyone else out there w/removal information? Thanks, Deb

[Mrs.W]

Hi Deb!

I'm 36. 2 months post op & still sore but improving. Don't know how long it will take to get better from this. I think it's definitely an easier recovery for those of you who get hardware removed shortly after initial surgery. That stuff in there is awful. I too have some slight crunching sometimes. But nothing is worse than having the metal in there so I'll deal with it! After so many years of agony I'm just grateful to be on the other side!! Many blessings to you & hopes for a speedy recovery!!

[Sara Z]

Hi to everyone out there recovering from hardware removal!  I am scheduled to have mine out next Weds., and I'm very nervous.  First off, does 7 mos post initial surgery sound too quick?
Was this recovery anything like the first one?  My quad completely collapsed and has taken me months of rehab to get it partially back.  Very nervous it will collapse again.  The OS said I will walk out of outpatient surgery (I was on hospital with different surgeon after initial break for 4 days) wothnocrit he's or walker or brace.  After reading some posts, that doesn't seem likely.  Plus I am concerned I don't have a good feeling he has done this before. 

Can you tell me how this was compared to first recovery, is it realistic I won't need assistance walking, how long were you off your leg and no driving and stairs?  My break was considered very severe-completely broke in half.  I am 41, otherwise in good health, active, trim mom of 4-including one 23 month old baby.  I really could use some advice on what to truly expect so to prepare myself and my family!

Thanks!!  Deb, glad you are doing better!  Cannot believe no one gave you PT!!!

Sara

[Mrs.W]

Me again..... FYI I drive a stick shift & within 2 weeks I was driving. (it's my left leg & I was able to use a clutch) the recovery will be easier this time around. After 2 weeks you will be on your way to normal!! 2 months ago today was my surgery & though inam still sore i can do ANYTHING!!!! BEST OF LUCK!

[Sara Z]

Thank you for the encouragement!  Of course, I did this to my right knee, so I hope I can drive as quickly as you did!  How fast were you doing stairs?  Are you still on occasional pain meds I would assume at this point?

Thanks again for answering all of my questions....you are the only person who has given me any advice!  I truly appreciate it!  (if anyone else can add anything, I would really appreciate it!!)

So glad you are doing better!!!

Sara

[debjoe74]

Hi Sara, I am 2 weeks post op from hw removal. I am still sore at time and very stiff. My knee is swollen more after walking around the house but then I ice it. It is my right knee but I haven't driven yet. My knee feels so much lighter than w/all the metal in there. I was 1 week shy of 6 mos but I couldn't walk w/the hw. There is a lot of cracking but I don't know if that will subside. I only took painkillers the day and night of suregery and very few advil since. Hope this helps, Deb