MPFL reconstruction....What was I thinking??

[allyd]

How long did it take for any others to start to drive again?

First: you’ll need to be off any narcotics in order to drive. Second: Which did you have operated on left or right?

[Cjlynn]

Left knee, and I'm down to the pain meds 4x day, I still can't get the knee to bend enough to attempt to get in the front seats of the car...just looking for future reference.

[allyd]

Personally, once you are off the narcotics, and can sit comfortably in the drivers seat, I'd think you'd be able to drive.  I'd ask your doctor how long he thinks it will take you to progress with enough ROM/bending in order to drive. I had my right leg done, so my experience was a little different.

[Cjlynn]

This afternoon I did nothing, and I literally mean nothing! Sat in a recliner, leg elevated, channel flipped for hours....yawn....
Once kids and hubby got home, I had already started to notice that the knee joint was starting to swell...after showering, it really started to bloom, and now I'm back in bed, leg elevated and wrapped in a cold water circulation wrap and the pain has kicked in. Even my ankle has swollen...
Calf muscle, quad and hamstring are on fire. 
I honestly don't think I did anything to aggrevate it, but something has happened, grrrr!!

[Cjlynn]

Today I start a new day and hope that staying positive will only bring positive things today. I had a rough night sleeping, when I have the knee wrapped it feels like there is a immense amount of pressure being applied, I do make sure that the tensor is not tight, or my cyro-wrap.

I'm going to try using more ice today, hoping to keep the swelling under control.  This reconstruction seems likes it one step forward to steps back.

[Cjlynn]

Meeting my OS for post op tomorrow, anxious, scared and excited.

In some strange way, I am hoping for a brace of some sort. I think at this point it will give me the physical strength and support that the knee needs as well as mental support. I find it feels so unstable all the time, but when I try to bend it to get some ROM, it's so tight.

I can't believe the lack of strength the leg has now. Maybe once I start PT it will return. ??

I will update tomorrow with findings...I find this as my stress relief to type out how things are going and to read about other peoples stories. Reminds me that I'm not alone when going thru recovery.

[allyd]

You are definitely not alone around here. many of us have been there and back.

Hard to believe, but the strength will return. I too was amazed at how much my leg wasted away in a couple short weeks. I think my PT said, what you lose in strength 1 day, it takes 3 days to build... do the math - and you'll quickly understand why they say 3 months before you are functional level.

Stay positive - and good luck tomorrow. I had a ROM/immobilizer brace initially, but moved to a compression sleeve my OS gave me after she left me out of the ROM brace. I too think some sort of brace will help you function better. I swear 90% of it is mental though.

[Cjlynn]

I'm looking for ideas on how to slide into the back seat of my car easier....

When I sit, use good leg as a prop, and hubby lifts bad leg, it automatically feels very unstable. Getting back out is the same but it hurts because of the angle.

Any suggestions??

[aaa]

I'm kind of paranoid about other people touching my leg.  Its not that they don't want to help -- they just don't understand the pain and the specific angles that can cause the knee to feel unstable.

What I did was I would have the door open and with my surgical  left leg extended in front I would use my arms (mostly) and my right leg to to sit on the car seat , so my leg would now be directed away from the car.

I would then reach over and lift my surgical leg on my own and swing it over into the car, takes a little bit of flexibility I guess, but that worked well for me.  I would usually support the leg under the calf muscle.

[Tiggs1986]

sorry about all your trouble! I had my left MPFLr done the beginning of April.
   Pain was aweful for me the first couple of weeks as well, and my leg  became purple when it was down for even a few minutes but after a few weeks that stopped. Getting into the back seat I just used my upper arms and good leg to propel me backwards while someone lifted my bad leg, though I did have an immobilizer, maybe if he supported your knee with one hand and the ankle with the other?  Driving wise-I believe I started that a month or so after surgery. The first few weeks are the hardest, seems like you can't do anything! As I've been told by 2 PT's, my OS, PA and medical doctor, this is a MAJOR knee surgery with a long and difficult recovery. Hang in there! Also helps to kinda look at a few other diaries to see what other's are/have been experiencing and keep in mind EVERY OS protocol is different. Hope it gets better soon!

[Cjlynn]

Well I met with the OS today....
Everything is healing well and he is pleased. Yay!!

I have been instructed to start weight bearing as tolerated with crutches, start a intensive PT program to start getting the quad muscle "firing" and responding again. I've now ordered a PTO brace, which will be in early next week.

The instability I felt is due to the loss of muscle strength (I've lost 1/4 inch of muscle already) he informed me that I can't dislocate the knee cap anymore and pretty much grin and bare it.  Ugh!! Tough love!!

I take tomorrow on with new hopes and trust that it'll be a better day..

[La-la-land]

That's great news! You should just be patient Everything will be ok!

[Cjlynn]

Hi again, so following OS's orders I have started to weight bare on my leg. Feels kinda weird, and I worry over the thought that it may buckle out under me. I am still using 2 crutches to protect myself just in case.

The problem I am experiencing now, is that by the end of the day the knee feels so incredibly tight and it's sore to even the slightest touch. It's bad enough that I can't sleep and I'm mentally exhausted from it.

The shin and the ankle have started to swell again as well.

Hubby says that I shouldn't worry has its only due to me using the muscles again, but he's also the one sleeping away all night.

I using ice and elevation to help reduce the inflammation and the ice does help relieve some of the discomfort.

I truly wish I had educated myself more and was aware of the recovery process of a MPFL reconstruction. I honestly had no idea that it was going to be this intense!! At this point I'm physically and mentally drained from the surgery.  My PT starts tomorrow, and I don't think I have any else in me to give.

Surgery has gotten the better of me, and I dont know how to get back on track.

[allyd]

Glad to hear you are making some progress w/ the weightbearing.

As for the tightness, pain, and swelling at the end of the day... Nothing to worry about, Until your muscles are strong again it can just only take so much right now.

I think PT will help you immensely to understand what you are feeling and what needs to happen to get back to normal. You will get there, it is like you are starting to realize a long process. If you work with a good PT, they can be as much of a mental help as a physical in regards to recovery. Good luck tomorrow!

[aaa]

Best of luck, you will want to increase ROM (range of motion).

Even when working ROM, don't force it.  Its incredible how many times therapists force ROM to the point of extreme pain.  This is not necessary.  The key is slow and steady while avoiding pain.

Did you OS give guidelines on when you should acheive targets for ROM, for example, 90 degrees after 6 weeks or something like that?