Bone breaks around the knee :

Hi.  I suffered a tibia plateau fracture in A - - Posted by hamletthunktoomuch (hamletthunktoomuch), 7 November 2004

I suffered a tibial plateau fracture in April.  Apparently it was really bad because the healing window the doctor gives me is about 12 months from the accident.  But the main thing that concerns me is that I believe he removed all of the meniscus during surgery.  I understand that this is always avoided if at all possible.  I tried to work again after like 5 months but was having alot of pain in my knee so I quit.

I've been trying to find information about the fracture and meniscus removal but can't come up with that much, other than the removal is really bad apparently.

I saw a specialist last week and he's going to be looking into getting me a bone stimulator for the fracture.

Is there anything that can be done once the meniscus is removed?  Am I totally screwed for life?  I'm 26 years old.
Posted by Connecticut_Jets (Connecticut_Jets), 7 November 2004

I also had a tib plat fx but I had about less than 20% partially shaved off. I still have the full donut on eac side except it is a bit thinner nearthe fracture spot.
Losing al meniscus is bad. It serves as a cushion between your femoral condyle and tibial plateau. But never say screwed for life You are only 26...I am 27...I am an active athlete and persona trainer. All you need to do is build up mosnter egs and that will take a lot of pressure of your joint minimizing the risk of bone grining and post-oprational osteo-arthiritis. My spelling is off  
Also start swimming and re-build stability in your joint and at last supplements! Help your body re-row some cartilage and bone density. And don't you use this phase I am screwed for life again. You should say more like what can I do to be better and survive rest of life with same knee.  Cheers.  GOOD LUCK  
Posted by overmodulated (overmodulated), 7 November 2004

Hi there:

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate accident.  Sounds like you first need to know exactly what happened in the emergency room.  It's a little overwhelming at first, and most of us don't end up becoming sort of knee experts to comprehend the extent of the repair until well after such accidents.  I recommend you obtain a copy of the report from the doctor or hospital - it's your right to have it and every physician should document their work (for legal reasons).  The report will state whether or not your meniscus was removed during surgery.  (It's usually only trimmed.)

If your meniscus was completely removed (which I doubt), he should have recommended another specialist for a procedure called ACI, if you're a candidate for it.  But before you start worrying about that, find out what was done and what they saw when they went inside your knee, which should be documented.  You should also get another opinion.  From a scan they can tell whether the spacing in the joint (between the bones) is normal.  That would be another indicator.  Although soft tissue doesn't show up on ordinary x-rays, the space in the joint can indicate whether soft tissue was removed.

Don't get discouraged.  At five months after my severe tibial plat fx, I was just permitted to bear weight for the first time, let alone walk.  And it hurt badly to apply pressure on the joint.  I was real upset about that, but am walking comfortably now.  Keep trying.  Do Physical Therapy.  Good luck.


 
 
Posted by hamletthunktoomuch (hamletthunktoomuch), 7 November 2004

Thanks for the replies guys.  I did have a copy of the notes because I saw a specialist last week, but I didn't read over them very well.  I think I'll get another copy and study them.
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 7 November 2004

Hi, HHTM - welcome to the club noone wanted to join!

I just want to echo the comments made by the others and figure out what exactly was done to your leg during the procedure. And supplements will not hurt because it has been shown in clinical studies that Glucosamine and Chondroitin rebuilds cartialage.

As for the recovery time, it varies depending on the severity of your break and the amount of time and dedication you spend on recovery. It is important to get a PT referral, only if even to get an initial eval and to learn some basic exercises you can do on your own. It is really important to keep at it and not give up, even if you get discouraged.

If you have nothing better to do, I suggest you read my diary along with others who have similar injuries (the link to mine is in my signature block below).

Keep us posted on your situation, and again welcome!  
Posted by tompyro (tompyro), 10 November 2004

I also had a tibia platau fx in January.  Everything was going very well until the Dr. went back in and shaved the meniscus when he repired my rotator that I tore when I had the accident.  3 weeks later I was down with a staph infection in the knee.  It ate half the meniscus and part of the tibia plat.  Now I am waiting for the TKR.  At this time I have moderate pain that I try to keep out of my mind and go on with what I have to do.  Please don't ever feel you are screwed up for life, there are a lot of people out there alot worse off than I!!  Good luck,
Tom
Posted by hkssuppie (hkssuppie), 10 November 2004

Just out of curiosity Tom...how old are you?

Alan

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