Bone breaks around the knee :

TP Fracture, etc. - - Posted by cd (cd), 1 October 2004

Hi, I'm Carolynn from Langley, BC.  This is my first time posting.  Hope I'm in the right spot.  I fractured both plat's of my tibia on Nov. 9/ 03, falling off a counter top.  I also had an ACL avulsion, MCL tear and a bunch of other damage surrounding that I'm not totally sure of. I had surgery on Nov. 10/03 and have 3 screws, one 6 inch and one 4 inch scar. I was in hospital for 1 week, NWB for 14 weeks and PWB for another 4 wks.  I had a soft cast (removable) until Jan. 1 when I was permitted to start physio, which I very much needed since my leg would not bend at all, (much to my surprise being totally uneducated on broken bones in a joints and scar tissue).  My leg was frozen @ 20 degress flection.  I have been at physio since and currently go 2/week still.  I'm now at 125 flexion and +3 to 5 extension.  In August I switched physio as I lost confidence in my pt's expertise and my current pt is concentrating on my extension so I can hopefully walk without a limp one day.  I've visited this site before, but not posted (however, I did get some tips on exercises from those who seem to be experts on ROM, scar tissue, etc.).  My extension is coming, YAY!  To make matters worse, since my surgery, I've heard nothing but bad things about my OS.   I have a Feb. 05 appointment with another OS (we have a long wait here in BC for OS's/surgery).  I do the bike, swim, stretches, but can't walk too much or will encounter pain.  My knee makes all kinds of noises and I have a new clunk that has come with my newly gained extension.  I thought I'd finally post on this site cause I think my family and friends are tired of hearing about my knee, even though it's old news now.  I feel that my leg will never be the same and that I will never be able to do many things I like to do.  I've pretty much assured myself that I'm going to have future problems/surgery.  Especially after reading some of the stuff on this site.  After I educated myself a bit on "scar tissue" I asked my OS if I should have gone to physio sooner than I did.  Of course he replied with "no way" and rambled off all my injury and surgery and said, "you've been on the Internet again haven't you." Anyway, I'm rambling on and on.  Sorry my post is so long.  Just thought I'd tell my story and see if anyone of you experts out there have any pointers for me.  I've broken my leg before, but never had such a long haul, and never would have imagined I could have.
Health to you all,
Cheers!
Carolynn (CD)
Posted by cd (cd), 1 October 2004

Just me again, I forgot too that I had a MUA in May 04 as I was stuck at 80 degrees for some time, I gained 20 with this.  Another thing that concerns me is my leg appears to be crooked.  As my extension comes (slowly but hopefully surely) it seems to look less crooked, but, my pt says it's somewhat of an illusion due to lack of extension and lack of muscle, but I don't know??
Posted by Val_M (Val_M), 2 October 2004

Hi CD

I'm from Calgary and had a really bad accident last Sept 03 and smashed my left TP.  I'm just over a year out and recently had my HW taken out (Plate and 9 huge screws).  I have a diary on the mybrokenleg.com website under "Val".

I got extremely lucky and ended up with an excellent doctor here in Calgary.  Have you thought of going outside of BC (to Alberta) to see an OS?

I know it's a long haul to get better.  I never thought I'd get as far as I did and I still wouldn't consider myself 100% back to normal.  Hang in there and I wish you all the best.  I can definately relate.
Posted by Val_M (Val_M), 2 October 2004

Oh, on the crooked leg thing.

My leg looked crooked when it was bent prior to taking the hardware out.  I was hoping it would look more normal once the hardware came out but...it still looks crooked.  My leg is still a bit swollen from the HW removal so maybe it's too early to tell but...the knee looks normal when it's straight but definately crooked when it's bent at say 90 degrees.  The tibia bone seems to stick out on the outside part of the knee.  It doesn't seem to bother me though.  How does yours look?

Posted by cd (cd), 3 October 2004

The OS I'm seeing in Feb. is apparenly very good, so I'll see what he says.  Is there no wait to see an OS in Calgary?  Hardware removal is something I've read here often, but the OS that did my surgery doesn't have plans of ever removing it.   This is something I'll be asking the new guy.  My leg looks crooked when it's extended as far as I can extend it and I'm standing looking in a mirror - from below my knee my leg seems to go out to the side (which is the way it broke).  I believe it is somewhat of an illusion due to the difference in muscle between my two legs, but it even kinda feels crooked when I walk.  Sounds like you really did number on your leg, best wishes with your recovery.  Oh ya, when you get your hardware out I guess they have to open you up again (another scar)?
Thanks for replying.
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 4 October 2004

Hi, CD. My heart goes out to you having to deal with not just one but TWO legs in recovery from the same injury!!   It sounds as if your injuries are far worse than mine, but I've heard of others with the same degree of injury in a single leg being able to recover at near 100% but they worked hard, kept at it, and never gave up.

I'm just past the 2 year mark and I'm doing the stationary bike, treadmill, and walking everywhere. I still have to do stretching to regain my ROM (I'm approx. 95% recovered as far as ROM in both bending and straightening). I also soak and stretch in hot water. Plus, I've been taking MSM, Glucosamine/Chondroitin, etc. which is supposed to help with pain and swelling as well as with keeping Arthritis at bay.

At any rate, I pray you recover fully. Be sure to read the diaries at MBL (I have one which you can access at the link below). Both MBL and KneeGeeks have been a great source of encouragement and help for me during this time. Hopefully it will be for you as well.

Keep us posted on your progress, and again all the best to you in your recovery!  
Posted by Val_M (Val_M), 4 October 2004

Hi CD,

With the HW removal the Dr went back into the same incision as last time so I didn't get a new scar, thank goodness.  In fact, the entire scar looks great this time around.  The Dr said she could make it look lots better than last time and she was right.

As for waiting times to see an OS in Calgary, I've had no problems to this point (probably because the break was so bad) but I know wait times are typically quite a while.  I always thought BC's med system was more efficient.  I know I have to wait 6 or 7 months to have an MRI done once the request is put in.  I think it takes ages to get in for a TKR.

Anyways, take care and enjoy the ThanksGiving Weekend!

Kathy, does your leg look crooked at all after the accident?



Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 5 October 2004

Hi, Val. So glad to hear you are doing well though you are dealing with a crooked leg. I guess if it isn't bothering you much, I wouldn't be concerned. Mine still looks normal, which I think is amazing. A little malformed due to the hardware, but all in all I cannot complain!

Best wishes for Continued progress!!  
Posted by cd (cd), 7 October 2004

Kathy, sorry, you misunderstood the "both plateaus".  That is the way my doctor described my break -  on one side of the plateau the corner was broken off, and on the other side of the plateau I had a depression fracture.  When I landed my leg basically bent sideways and when I attempted to move while on the ground, besides the extreme pain, it was very obvious it was no longer attached properly. So, it was only one leg, not two, my goodness, I couldn't imagine having both.
I appreciate both of your replies.  I don't get much time to get on the computer, I will read both of your stories on MBL (I started to read yours, Val, but didn't get through it all). Best to you both and thanks for the info.

Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 7 October 2004

Hi, Carolyn. Sorry for the confusion on my part. And glad you are only dealing with one messed-up leg and not two (that would be BAD!! ) At any rate, I'm glad to hear you will be reading up on some of the diaries at MBL.com - they are a tremendous help.

Again, all the best to you in your recovery!!!  

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