MPFL reconstruction on 3rd of May 2012

[La-la-land]

Hey guys!

I had my surgery on 3rd of May but I just found that forum and I think it could help someone, if I share my story, too. Hopefully I can also receive some useful opinions

First of all I want you to excuse my English, because I'm not a native speaker and I'm not familiar with all the terms. Soo...

PRE-HISTORY:
8 years ago (I was 15) I dislocated my left patella twice in a period of 6 months (month and a half of which I was in plaster). I had a surgery but I can't find what's the name in English. As much as I know it's very simple and not serious at all. Unfortunatelly it wasn't suitable for me, because in April 2011 I dislocated my patella for a third time... I'll never play limbo again  I didn't find time for my leg till now because I wasn't in the country during summer, after that I started work... etc. I visited a couple of doctors in January so I decided about the procedure and the doctor. Also there was a small part of the patella that was broken and it caused some pain every now and then. Except that I have not that good Q-angle... I'm a bit knock-kneed.

DAY 0:
Checked in to the hospital on 2nd of May.

DAY 1:
I was the 3rd surgery for the day. I was awake during the surgery. It was interesting. I was so curious but I felt really cold most of the time. The doctor started with an arthroscopy. The joint was completely fine. He took out the broken bone and gave it to me Although the piece was on the side where the doctor should make the wholes for the surgery, he said that it wasn't a problem that it was broken.

After the surgery there was almost no pain. It was a bit worse during the night but I took some drugs so I could sleep. That day I stayed in bed.

DAY 2:
The PT visited me and asked me to stand up and walk around with the crutches. I'm experienced in that so it was ok. The PT told me to step on both of my feet. He gave me a program with exercises to do for the first month. I used the day to walk around the corridor. I was unable to lift my leg. I felt so weak and I was affraid my knee will explode The nurse took off the drain and I could see my leg. OMG.. it was so swollen but it was not a problem. There was some pain but it was ok. Again in the night it was really bad. I woke up and i felt so bad that I started crying. I'm not sure it was because of the pain or I just felt so desperate because of my knee problems in general.

DAY 3:
I was able to do the excersises thet the PT prescripted to me. It was difficult but still ok. In the evening I just took a pill so I don't wake up in the middle of the night. I slept like a baby. I think that was the last day when I had any pain.

DAY 4:
I was free to go home. It was Sunday so my mother just had to go to the hospital on the next day for the documentation. I felt ok that day. It was nice and refreshing to be back home.

I'll continue my diary tomorrow, because it's kinda late

[La-la-land]

DAY 5-11:
Staying home. I check my tempreture twice a day to be sure that there is no infection. It's 36,8-37,4 degrees Celsius. They gave me some shots of antibioitics in the hospital just in case. While I'm wearing the brace I should take shots of anticoagulant. I do it by myself. It's very easy and not paiful at all. I'm also taking some pills for the swelling and some against OA. The physical exercises were going well. My brace is unlocked till 90 degrees and that's how much I can fold my leg.

DAY 12:
Went to the hospital to see the doctor and remove the stitches. It wasn't that swollen any more but still with big (or a couple, I can't decide) hematoma. Despite that everything was normal. The nurse removed all the stitches (13) and I was free to go. The surprising thing for me was that the doctor said I should get up only to serve myself. I thought I should walk more or less  He prescribed me a cream for the hematoma.

DAY 14:
I was allowed to remove the bandage and take a shower without the brace. That's a step further in my recovery That's always a good thing.

DAY 15:
Went to work for a couple of administrative things and meet my colleagues. I miss them a lot. I took a cab to there but it was raining and I was affraid of catching a cold. It's ok for now. I spent ~2-3h for that "exercise". There was no pain but I started feel tension, because of standing so long, walking, etc.

DAY 17: (a.k.a. Today)
Time is passing so slowly. I feel ok and the knee is not that swollen any more, but when I fold my leg I see that the knee has such a strange form. Nothing to do with the other knee  I hope it will get better. I just got the idea that I didn't visit the PT when I was in the hospital (Day 12). I'll send him an e-mail to ask should my brace be unlocked more or not.

My biggest rush now is because of a conference in Germany in the middle of June. I hope I'll be well enough to travel but I guess I'm gonna find out just a few days before the event. Still hoping 

[La-la-land]

DAY 18:
The PT said I can unlock the brace to 105 degrees  I did my exercises trying to reach that ROM. Wasn't that successful. I felt some pain when trying more than 90. It wasnt more than 3 (from 1 to 10). I hope it's gonna be better tomorrow.

[oohheykate]

It sounds like you are doing really well!

[La-la-land]

@oohheykate, thanks!

Day 19:
Reached 105 degrees ROM  Here are some pics of my knee. You can compare with the healthy one.

[La-la-land]

DAY 22:
I'm extremely bored at home. I had an exam at the university yesterday (I know, I know... I should use the time to study, but I'm sooo lazy). Spent hour and a half on a chair. Wasn't that nice and comfortable but at least there was no pain. I noticed I can sit on a chair with my leg folded to 75 degrees without any problem. Of course... not for so long. I'm counting the days when I'll get rid of the brace. That will happen on 4th of June. I'm trying to make step or two without the crutches, because it's extremely annoying to use them just for two steps.

There was an earthquake here on 21st to 22nd in the middle of the night. It was crazy - 5,8 (Richter magnitude scale). I was on the 15th floor so you can imagine. There was nothing I could do. No way to evacuate with the crutches... Can you imagine going downstairs... 15 floors 

[yc_angel]

Wel it sounds like your doing great....your rom is farther than mine haha but everyone is different i know ...

I hope the progress continues...mind me asking where you are from and where you had your surgery done?

Xx

Angel

[La-la-land]

@yc_angel: I'm from Bulgaria. I had my surgery in Sofia. I don't know how is it around the world, but in Bg only a couple of doctors do MPFL reconstruction. That's why I met most of them before thaking this decision  Actually I would preffer to have it somewhere else, for example Germany, because quality of medeicine services in Bg is not that good. Anyways, the procedure here is expensive enough. I can't afford it in Germany But I think everything is ok till now so I'm satisfied with the result.

[La-la-land]

DAY 28:
I have one last shot of antocoagulant for tomorrow and only 5 days left till I get rid of the brace Last 2 nights I slept without it. Here are some pics.

[La-la-land]

1 MONTH:
Met the doctor this morning. He was happy with my ROM and muscle. Said that according to him my knee is fine and to discuss everything about recovery with the PT. The PT was also happy with my current situation. Said I can walk without crutches and after a couple of days I can even take off the brace completely. I'm gonna visit the PT this week in the mornings (before work). Except that I asked about traveling to Frankfurt next week. The PT said it's no problem  So happy!

[La-la-land]

5 WEEKS:
Yesterday I had a walk with the brace. Very refreshing after a month at home

Today was my first visit to the PT. He measured the girth of my legs and the ROM. It was 110! Then he gave some electric impulse to the quadriceps. We worked for the muscle with а weight on my ankle. He asked me walk on my fingers and on my heels. He was very happy how well I can walk. There was no pain even it was expected. The knee is still swollen a bit and I should use ice. The PT said that I don't need the brace any more and it would be better if I don't wear it at all.

Tomorrow is my first day back to work. I should find an extra chair for my leg. It's gonna be a long day And on Thursday I have PT, work, an exam in the university at noon and back to work. Fun, fun, fun

[La-la-land]

6 WEEKS:
I'm doing pretty fine. 120 degrees ROM. I can walk normally, almost no limp. Stairs are still too much for me. I've been to PT 3 times already. The first days I had muscle strain and the last time I was on the bike for 5min.

Except that I'm going to work and I'm bringing my Cool Gel ice. I have an extra chair for my leg. It's still swollen a bit but it feels ok with the ice. I even use the public transport, but I'm very careful. My leg ist not that strong and sitting down and standing up are a bit difficult.

I'm really happy that everything's going so smoothly and I'm going to Frankfurt on Thursday. It's gonna be GREAT! I can't wait.

[Chellie1992]

Sounds like you are doing really well! 

I can't wait until I can walk again...6 weeks of NWB.  I am looking forward to seeing what my knee looks like and what the OS did.

[La-la-land]

Thanks Chellie1992!

I read your diary and I know about that 6-weeks-NWB thing. But you know the most important thing in this case is the end result and it's sustainability.

[Cjlynn]

Wow!! Your making great progress to a quick recovery!! I am at 5 weeks post op and can get a max of 60 for ROM..
Keep on track and you'll be a 100% in no time!!