Author Topic: Almost 3 yrs on from patella break (Read 815 times)

jo215 · « **on:** September 09, 2012, 09:01:53 PM »

Hi everyone.. came back in here tonight as I remembered how amazing this site was when I was a broken knee newbie in 2009. Still very much in touch with people I have met on here and if you come across lost pirate, he helped us and knows what he is talking about.

I won't go into the whole story but I can say from my experience, 2 yrs at least until it feels like you are getting your knee back. I have since broken my foot but my knee was strong enough to take it. Almost 3 yrs on, although my muscle tone has not come back the knee is fine..

Listen to your physio and religiously do your exercises, they will make you cry with pain sometimes but you will get there. Listen to your body, if it's telling you it's had enough, it probably has. Set yourself challenges, for me it was starting to walk my dogs again and going further each day until I was going as far as I used to. One of my friends who I met on here has never given up on her gym and yoga classes and is doing well....

This injury is awful, painful and sometimes too much to bear, but you will get through it and come out the other side.... those knees will start to work again and the ROMs will increase.

Don't be afraid of an MUA, the thought is awful, but I had one when my wires were removed and never looked back so if your surgeon says you need one, just do it...

Not sure if any of this helps, but good luck and ' if you are going through hell, keep going'

xx

coral 251 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 06, 2012, 04:53:46 PM »

Hi Jo.
Like you, i have not been on here for a while,but also remember how great this site is,and how it really helped me get through those early days.
It will be 3 years in March,when i had the 1st surgery,i too have still got muscle loss,and at times my knee stiffens up quite a lot,and i do still have bad days,but on the whole not doing too bad,i don't limp any more, and can walk quite normally,although there are still things that i am unable to do.
Any-one going through this have my deepest sympathy,but don't loose hope,in those early days you feel like you will never walk normally again,but believe me, it does get better,though it is a long hard journey.
So don't try to rush it,have patience,and keep focused,and there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
Good luck to every-one with your recoveries.
All the best.
Coral

lostpirate · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2012, 04:14:24 AM »

This site has been a Godsend for me....

Dealing with this injury has been the definition of trial and tribulation. It's been nothing less then a living hell to deal with...

The people I met here have helped me in more ways then I can say. I never would have made it to where I am today without their support. My road back has been a constant struggle. One that I came close to giving up on many times.

I am just over 3 years out from my accident, and can say that I am finally pretty close to being back to normal. It's taken a lot of hard work. More then I would have ever imagined.

All I can say is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It took me about 3 years to get there. But, get there I did.

This injury devastated my life. I never thought I'd fully recover from it. But, with a lot of hard work and not giving up I've made it back to close to were I was before it. Close enough to be happy again and to be able live a normal life.

ITS GSATT · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2012, 06:49:18 PM »

Just came across this site. Your posts gave me some more hope again. It's been a year and half since my initial surgery. I have not taken the hardware out yet. I'm trying to decide either spending money on hardware removal or furthering my career in avaition.

The only thing that truly bothers me is the sharp pain when using my quadracep. I experience a sharp pain at the top of my patella. I have regained full motion of my knee. I can do squats and extend my leg as I used to (with no weight and sucking up the pain). If I drink several beers I can run great. I regularly cycle, and have done some lengthy races this past summer, however I do pay for it the next day. My knee doesn't like me using my quad.

I am tormented between the hardware or the new (larger) size of me knee cap giving me this pain. The doc said it was up to me to remove my hardware when he cleared me Dec. 2011. He said it was possible hardware could be interfering. It is driving me nuts. I can tolerate A LOT of pain and will deal with it, but it becomes unbearable in sitting positions like in a car. What I fear the most is freaking out in the cockpit where I just spent a lot of money in college to be employed. (my aviation career is on hold at the moment)

Have any of you experienced this pain I speak of? I can abuse my hamstring at hearts desire. I can even use the leg press machine to work on my quad, but it takes several days for the pain to settle down. No doubt that I have gotten my quad stronger, but leg extensions are still horrible. Lately it feels like my patella has been able to "float" more, as it clicks more that before. I'm progressively getting better as I become stronger, but this pain I have spoken of has not. I would like to know if its possible to make it go away!!!!

Waa

lostpirate · « **Reply #4 on:** October 09, 2012, 02:39:30 AM »

ITS GSATT....

I'd seriously have the HW removed. Part of my complications in my recovery was because of problems with my HW. I had to have an extra surgery because of it! I have said this many times on this site and I will keep saying it. In my opinion, it isn't a question of if your HW will cause you problems, it's a question of when! Many, many people have problems with their HW. I remember when I had problems with mine a nurse during 1 of my surgeries told me that roughly 50% of patients have problems with their HW within 1 year of their surgery. That percentage increases as time goes on. I would not be the least bit surprised if your HW was causing the pain you describe. If your OS is saying the HW could be the problem, it probably is.

I do not know of 1 person who has regretted having their HW removed. It's a night and day difference!

Author Topic: Almost 3 yrs on from patella break (Read 815 times)

jo215

Almost 3 yrs on from patella break

coral 251

Re: Almost 3 yrs on from patella break

lostpirate

Re: Almost 3 yrs on from patella break

ITS GSATT

Re: Almost 3 yrs on from patella break

lostpirate

Re: Almost 3 yrs on from patella break