Ruptured Patellar Tendon Surgery

[John42]

Hi Kev

Just ask your physio - have you dealt with a similar injury before?


Take care

JohnK/ Manchester UK

[kingkev]

ok mate ,will do
cheers

[dieselcut]

Wow, lots of new activity on the board.
Quick update, now officially 21 weeks after surgery. I have only seen my Ortho 3x officially after surgery, but I guess since we work in the same hospital I have not pursued seeing her as often other might. I can usually get a curbside in the halls.
RIght now the strength in the PTR leg is 86% of the other. I have been doing Crossfit with plyo-box exercises and can now do roughly 6 sets of 20 with the 30 inch boxes; its a great exercise at any height and they range from 12 inches to 36, i think). Still holding onto the dream of being able to dunk a basketball again by January. I am also rehabbing the knee on its own 4x a week with mainly my own body weight but will occasionally use a leg press and machine curls. I still don't have the inclination to go back to doing squats with weights just yet, although my physio said that would be fine.
Biking has been great, and is something that I did not do at all until I had this injury. I now have a mountain bike and a road bike and it has been a great transition since using the mini-peddlar. Of note, gave that to a patient of mine who I consulted on that ended up with the same injury! Hope he gets as much use out of it as I did.
The knee is not appreciably swollen to the person who sees me in the gym and does not know that I have injured it; for the most part I do not even think about it being damaged throughout the day. I have not returned to contact sports yet, and promised my wife I would not until 2013 anyways. I have been told that 24 weeks is the release point for this, but I think that is just provider dependent. However, I can run at an all out sprint in a straight line without much of a second thought and the clicking and change in patellar tracking continues to improve.
Although I have cut down on the icing of my knee, I do still do it for at least 15 min after every knee workout. At this point it is almost second nature and I don't know that I will stop that anytime soon.
Sorry to ramble on, but I think that rehab has gone well and I hope that the board continues to help and inspire others much as it has done with me.

[GQJimmy]

Hello everyone,
 I sufffered a RPT last Sunday and I'm not looking forward to the next six months. I have a lot of questions, but my first one is a little silly. I need some advise on how to take a shower, is the walker or crutchers water proof? should I have a spare imoblelizer? what worked for you guys?  Thanks in advance.

[Zlou58]

GQ,

What up!  This is my second go around but this time a double.  But my advice is shower chair. Take off brace once in tub. Do it thing. Dry off. Brace back on. Or garage and chair. Both braces off. Do ur thing. Braces back on.   Not easy brother!



Lou

[Zlou58]

Forgot to add, do a dry run through so you can fix problems that you could come across!  Have everything ready to go as well. Make sure you dry tile and everything so there is no falls!!!'nm. Good luck



Lou

[John42]

HI GQ

Welcome to the RPT thread - I have meanwhile sent you by e-mail a collection of documents which will enable to understand your very serious injury, and the rehab procedure.

Be prepared for a long rehab - PATIENCE is required.   Read some of the previous posts on this thread - ASK questions, lots of buddies out here to help you.

Keep posting, and wish you well for your op.

Take care

JohnK/ Manchester  UK

[GQJimmy]

Thanks Lou,
Good call on the shower chair, I'm buying one today.  I also got a walker, it seems to work a little better than my cruches.  Its also tricky & painful using the bathroom when going # 2....lol.... any hints or short cuts?.  I've tied a wrap around my foot and attached a belt to it, that seems to help me move my leg around. Silly, but it works. Hit me back with any ideas that will make my life easier.

Stay cool,
Jimmy

[GQJimmy]

Thanks John,

I will read all the info you sent, and hit you back with any questions.

I appreaciate your help,
Jimmy

[GQJimmy]

Hello everyone,

Does anyone know if I can recieve these replies or post via my blackberry as text or email?

Thanks,
Jimmy

[John42]

Hi Jimmy

One good tip, is to sleep with a cushion/pillow between your knees - not very sexy, but it takes the pain away from the injured knee.

Take care

JohnK/ Manchester UK 

[GQJimmy]

Hello All,

Questions:
1.Is there any kind of excerice or anything I can do now to help slow down quad atrophy?

2.What can I do for the itching?

3. Any advice on interpiting the MRI, if the tendon can be stiched together (if the break was near the middle) I'd rather have it stiched than holes drilled....ouch !

4. Its hard to sleep when I can't roll over or move at night, any advice?

[John42]

Hi Jimmy

Is your knee in a plastercast or a brace?

I have already given you some advice on a better nights sleep - there is nothing to stop you sleeping on your side.

Itching is quite common - a little talcum powder can help.

JohnK/ Manchester UK

[GQJimmy]

Hi John,

My surgery is next week,  I'm in an imoblelizer brace now.  The pain is what keeps me from sleeping on my side, I dont seem to be able to roll over or move my leg much without pain.  Will this change after my surgery when I'm in a cast?
I will try the talcum powder.

Thanks,
Jimmy

[John42]

Hi Jimmy

The pain in your knee should recede, once you have had your operation - meanwhile, keep chewing the painkillers - have you tried Cocodomol?  - this works for me.

JohnK/ Manchester UK