Laura's trochleoplasty and TTO

[Adobec]

Nice to read your updates.  Keep up the good work!!

[LauraB]

5 weeks post op:

I now have very little pain in my knee and can walk around the house without the crutches. I'm still wearing the brace for walking and sleeping, but tend to take it off when I'm sitting/resting.

I've been trying to ice as much as possible, and I've been doing the excercises given to me by the physiotherapist - I think my quad muscles are getting stronger. However I'm still having major bending issues  ... No matter how much I try, my knee doesn't want to bend. I am making small improvements - I can currently get to about 45 degrees, which is about 10 degrees more than last week.

I have never had a problem with bending after previous surgeries. I am scared about pushing it too much, firstly because it is painful, and secondly because I am afraid of doing further damage. I have read that scar tissue is quite common following a trochleoplasty, so I'm assuming that's what is causing the problem.

Anyway, I am due to see the physio and the surgeon this week so I will wait and see what they think...

[LauraB]

(Almost) 6 weeks post-op:

Today I went back to the hospital to see Mr Forster. He has given me the go-ahead to remove the brace and stop using the crutches.

As I suspected, the main issue is my lack of ROM. He said to keep on trying to push it as much as possible and hopefully the physiotherapy will help to get the bend back. I'm due to have my first session in the hydrotherapy pool next week. If I haven't made much progress by the next time I see him (in 4 weeks) then he will consider doing a manipulation under anaesthetic to break the scar tissue. I'm hoping it won't come to that... from what I've read on this forum it might not be a great idea.

Here is a picture of the x-ray - I couldn't believe the size of the screws!

 

[LauraB]

6-7 weeks post-op:

I feel like I have made some good improvements this week. I have been out and about walking with and without the crutches. I am a little unsteady without the crutches still, in particular on steep slopes (I live at the top of a hill), but on the flat I can walk ok. My knee is clicking and grinding away as I walk, but I'm not too worried about this as it doesn't hurt. I have noticed some pain in my calf muscle when walking - feels like it is about to cramp (but hasn't yet).

I have also had my first hydrotherapy session. It felt good to be in the pool, which was pleasantly warm and I could move a lot better with the support of the water. The physio had me doing squats and kicking.

Meanwhile, I am still fixated on my ROM. I am currently at about 60 degrees flexion. I bought a goniometer from amazon  (the plastic angle measuring device that the physios use) and have been using this to check my progress. It's going more slowly than I would like. I am mostly concerned because I thought I would be able to drive by now, but I don't think it is bending enough yet for that. I have started massaging my knee as well, as I have heard this can help with scar tissue.

[LauraB]

8 weeks post-op:

I have now (mostly) ditched the crutches!   I did my first solo walk around the block a couple of days ago. I walk very slowly and unsteadily, so I think I'll still take a crutch if I'm going to be crossing roads or in a crowded place - so that people know to give me a wide berth!

At the end of last week I survived a trip away with work. It involved a 6 hour bus journey and an overnight stay in a hotel. It went pretty well, I had lots of help from my work colleagues and the hotel staff. The only drama was when I lost my balance and fell (in my hotel room), but I wasn't hurt and was actually quite pleased because my knee didn't give way at all - that's exactly the sort of situation that would have caused it to dislocate before the op.

One disappointment I have had this week was attempting to drive (in a car park). I managed to fit in the driver's seat, but my knee was just not strong enough to work the pedal properly. It's my left knee, so if only I had an automatic car I'd be fine! I am hopefully going to try again next weekend.

I'm currently having physio twice a week, and my ROM is improving. It's bending enough that I can comfortably sit in a chair. Yesterday I got to just over 70 degrees, and today in the hydrotherapy pool I think the physio pushed it past that. I also managed to go down some shallow steps in the pool which was very daunting. Quite a painful session today, but I feel like I'm making progress.

[LauraB]

9 weeks post-op:

I am back in work, yesterday was my first day driving into the office Driving can be painful especially when there is lots of traffic, as I have to use the pedals more. But it does feel good to be getting around by myself.

I have also been practising my walking - the physio told me I wasn't bending my knee enough as I've got used to keeping my leg straight. I'm doing ok, just walking very slowly!

Last week I had my first physio session in the gym. I had a go on the excersice bike, but I don't have enough flexion to do a full cycle of the pedals, so I can only go back and forth (if that makes sense!) while I was on the bike, my angle was measured at 80 degrees so it's still improving. I also went on a balance board. I now am having 1 session in the gym and 1 session in the hydro pool each week.

Also last week I managed to do my first straight leg raise! This was a big deal for me because I haven't been able to do that for several years due to my kneecap tracking so badly

I am getting some new pains, probably because I am being more active - mostly painful clicking as I walk. Hopefully this will improve as my leg gets stronger.

[LauraB]

11 weeks post-op:

A couple of days ago I had a follow-up appointment with my surgeon. He was pleased with the progress I have made. I am at just over 90 degrees flexion and he didn't mention the manipulation under anaesthetic - what a relief! I will carry on with the physio and see him again in 2 months time.

The physio is going well, I had a go on the cross trainer machine this week - didn't think I would be able to, but it was fine. I still don't have enough bend to get all the way round the pedals on the bike, but I think I am nearly there

I've just got back from a weekend away, we were staying in a hotel with a pool so I did some of my hydro exercises there. Also did much more walking around than I am used to, which I found difficult. I don't need the crutches now, but I am still very slow which makes me feel vulnerable when crossing roads and in crowds!