Bone breaks around the knee :

Ilizarov frame - - Posted by yippy (yippy), 11 August 2004

Hi there I did a compression fracture to my tibial plateau and blocked the poploteal artery on a trampoline 6 weeks ago. After surgery to fix the artery I went back to theater and had a Ilizarov extenal frame put on 4 weeks ago because they were unable to pin and plate the fracture. From what I have read on the site this doesn't seem a common treatment so I would love to hear if anyone else has experienced it and how they are doing.I am meant to have the frame on for 3 months but am probably allowed to start weight bearing next week when I see the surgeon again.
Posted by sfmama (sfmama), 11 August 2004

Don't have any personal experience/knowledge, but you might want to try  www.mybrokenleg.com

I know that there are a few people there who have had or presently have external fixation.
Posted by rjrcm (rjrcm), 17 September 2004

Hi,

I had an Illizarov for about 5 months this year after I fractured my TP  in January ( the fracture also extended down my leg a ways). Was orignally told 3-4 months, but took awhile for the bone to start filling in.  The frame went from just below my knee to just above my ankle with 3 rings and eight wires.  Just finishing up with a round of PT - able to walk more or less normally, but not up to running yet.  

Getting to weight bearing is the best thing you can do right now.  This really helps accelerate bone growth.  Even though it may not feel like it, the frame can take a lot of weight.  Don't be shy about taking pain meds if it will help you get more weight on it.

Highly recommend you check out a support group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ilizarovs-and-fixators.  Believe me, 3-4 months is NOTHING compared to what others go through.  Lots of good suggestions for dealing with it.

Good luck!

Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 8 October 2004

Hi, Yippy - Welcome to KneeGeeks!!

I cannot help you with fixator advice, but sfmama mentioned MyBrokenLeg.com as a great site to go to as there have been some folks there who have had to wear these external fixator devices and have done quite well. The Yahoo! Group that rjrcm recommended sounds like a great resource as well.

Again welcome and I wish you all the best in your recovery!  
Posted by yippy (yippy), 12 October 2004

Just an up date, had my Ilizarov frame removed 2 days ago. Fracture site feels great at the moment but have a full leg brace on now at all times. Off to physio today to start a rehab programme. ( have been having Physio the 3 month the frame has been on but now the hard work starts. )
I can definately recommend a frame like this for Tibeal fractures that are shattered like mine was. While it was a pretty hard 3 months I have maintained my ROM in the knee and have been able to do some muscle strenghtening work.
Cheers Yippy
Posted by rjrcm (rjrcm), 12 October 2004

Great news, Yippy!

3 mo is pretty quick - your lucky your bone growth kicked in so well.  I also wore a brace for a couple of weeks after taking mine off, then partial weight bearing for another couple.  I also strongly recommend the ilizarov for this type of fracture - no plates/screws to mess with or have future complications.  It was tough getting through it emotionally, but worth it in the end.
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 13 October 2004

Thanks for the update, Yippy - sounds like you are making great progress. All the best to you in your continued recovery!!  
Posted by yippy (yippy), 24 October 2004

Hi rjrcm, how are you going since you got your frame off. I tried to contact you through the ilizarov group but had no luck. Where are you with your activity and physio and what is your pain like now and lastly how are you doing with work. I am due to return to work in 1 week on a graduated programme.
Love to hear about your progress.
Yippy
Posted by rjrcm (rjrcm), 24 October 2004

Hi Yippy,
I'm doing very well.  I no longer go to physio, but do exercises at home to keep building up strength.  Walking is basically back to normal, although going up/down stairs is more challenging but manageable.  I take an elevator whenever I can .  I still get a little swelling and stiffness, especially after sitting down a long time.  My doctor told me it could be about a year before the swelling goes completely away.

To give you an idea of how confident (or stupid) I am, I'm planning a ski trip over new years at the same place I broke my leg this last winter.  

I was able to drive and work most of the time I had my frame on, at first part time then later full time.  I mostly sit at a desk at work, or attend meetings.  Nothing stressful.  I still monitor the ilizarov group - not sure why we missed each other.

Good luck with your return to work and continued progress.

- Rod
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 7 November 2004

Hi, Yippy - was wondering if you had any updates to share. And continued best wishes to you ane everyone in your ongoing recovery!  
Posted by yippy (yippy), 8 November 2004

Hi all,
I guess things are going pretty well, sometimes it gets me down when the pain catches up on me then I think back to a few months ago and feel pretty proud of the progress I have made. I have just got home from Physio and was able to have my brace off for the whole session. My physio is adding more control work onto my strenghth program so I have some amusing times on the wobble board ahead of me!!!!
Work is OK. I am only managing the 2 hours per day so far as find that and the physio is plenty but hope to increase this over the next few weeks.
Rod it did make me laugh to hear you say you were planning to go skiing!!!! Good on you....you are a braver man than me but then I guess if I had broken my leg doing something normal like Skiing I would be tempted to try again. I am definately NOT going onto the trampoline again in fact I think my very tolerant employers wouldn't be happy if I did!!!!tee hee.
I am lucky it is spring here in New Zealand as it is encouraging me to get out walking but I can still only walk well for about 15 mins then the pain gets too much but I think this will get better fairly quickly now I hope.
I think thats about enough for now.
Marianne AKA as yippy
PS having some massage therapy done too which I can definately recommend to anyone trying to get muscles to work again!!!!
Posted by rjrcm (rjrcm), 8 November 2004

Hi Yippy (Marianne)!

Now I think I know who you are from the ilizarov group - aren't you in Christchurch?  My family visited New Zealand in January this year, right before my accident.  We stayed in Christchurch a couple of days.

I know how difficult it can be to keep a positive attitude.  But it sounds like you are making progress.  Keep it up!

- Rod
Posted by yippy (yippy), 21 November 2004

Hi all,
Having a bit of a downer weekend. I am sooooo sick of being in pain!!!!!
Also having trouble with my friends who say to me how come you are still limping!!!! didn't you break your leg ages ago?? I think the trouble is I am too polite and don't probably let on to many what is exactly going on for me but I don't want to be complaining too much and I now know that unless someone has been through this they don't really realise how slow things can progress.
Can anyone let me know when they were able to stop taking regular pain relief?? I know I need it to get through my physio but when I try to reduce how often I take it I almost go round the bend with the pain then have to take extra to get on top of it....I always thought I had a relatively high pain thresh hold but am now doubting that.
Also can anyone let me know how they deal with the difficulty of stiffness at night time as I am sure if I wasn't as sore through the night I would be better during the day.
Anyway enough moaning.
Marianne
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 21 November 2004

Yes the comments about the limping get frustrating and the way I handled it was to say, yes I am and not say much else - people would get the message and drop the topic. As far as the pain goes, that is equally frustrating especially if you are working hard to get your mobility back. But eventually it should subside. Remember to elevate and ice frequently. Are you taking any supplements? The MSM is supposed to help with pain management. The Glucosamine and Chondroitin is supposed to help with flexibility and with rebuilding cartiallage.

At any rate, I wanted you to know I commiserate with you and your situation. But know that this too shall pass, as you will look back at this someday and wonder what all the fuss was about!!   Anyway, take care and all the best to you in your ongoing recovery efforts!!
Posted by yippy (yippy), 23 November 2004

Thanks Kathy for your reply. I am using Glucosamine and chondroitin but I have only been using it a few weeks so it won't have had a chance to kick in much yet. I have not heard of MSM. What is it (I may know it by another name) At this point I am willing to try anything to reduce the pain!!!!
Rod if you read this can you let me know if you still are using much for pain .  As you are a couple of months ahead of me recovery wise and you have been a great help to me to as a guide to my recovery time line. Thanks all Marianne
Posted by rjrcm (rjrcm), 23 November 2004

Marianne,
I'm not using anything for pain right now and haven't for quite some time.  When I had the frame on, I used Vicodin on a regular basis and gradually got off it by the time the frame came off.  Afterwards, I used asprin at night for awhile.  I also used ambien with the frame on to help me sleep and stopped when it came off.  Thankfully, It's getting more difficult to remember what the pain was really like.  The best thing that helped was going through physical therapy to build up my strength and improve flexibility.   I continue to work out at home and can feel the improvement almost every day.
Posted by yippy (yippy), 23 November 2004

Thanks Rod,
I havn't heard of ambien but I guess it might have another name in New Zealand. I will find out. I am improving each day but find it hard to keep positive when after my sessions at physio the pain makes it hard to deal with work.
On the positive side I can actually see the muscles in my leg now and can do exercises I couldn't do a week ago so onwards and upwards and fingers crossed the pain starts to ease off!!!
Marianne
Posted by rjrcm (rjrcm), 23 November 2004

You can get info about ambien at www.ambien.com.  It's a relatively new prescription sleeping pill.  It seemed to help me get to sleep easier in combination with the Vicodin.

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