Bone breaks around the knee :

Broken patella, severed tendon and physio? - - Posted by Rado (Rado), 5 November 2004

Hi All,

I fractured my patella three and half weeks ago in a car accident. Looking at the x-rays before the operation my surgeon told me that he will use a wire to hold the broken parts together. However, after the operation he told me that it wasn't necessary as it was just the bottom part of the patella that was broken off (they removed the small bits). He also had to sew my severed tendon.

I'm wearing a brace which I keep on all the time (except in a shower) and I'm not allowed to put any weight on the injured leg.  I started with a physio three weeks after the op - and this is my major problem. I cannnot bend the knee more than 30 degrees -  if I try more I feel that something inside is going to tear... did anyone had a similar experience?

I also cannot lift my injured leg because of the weak quad muscle (after only three weeks) but understand from other posts that this is quite common. However, I'm trying very hard many times a day to lift that leg.

I'd love to hear from people who had a similar injury (fractured patella combined with a severed tendon) and their experience with physio.

Thanks,
Rado
Posted by millot310 (millot310), 5 November 2004

WOW!!! You and I seem to have a lot in common! I shattered my patella into many little pieces and tore my quad tendon. From what I was told, my MD was going to use wire and pins to repair my patella, but was not able to, instead he sutured all the pieces together and also took out the bottom portion of it. My accident was 8/30/04; surgery 9/1/04 and began PT 10/1/04. It has been a slow go for me! I am told that I am doing well ROM and strength wise. However, I am not a very patient person, considering that I am usually VERY busy and this has GREATlY hindered my activity!! I started w/ a very gentle program in PT - I was able to bend my knee at 50 degrees at the first appt - with PAIN! But now I am at 90 degrees on a regular basis - 100 degrees WITH PAIN! I am religious about doing my exercises - or modified versions thereof - at home. My strength is what I am having a problem with. I am still on crutches - PT just brought me down to one - but I am using two when I go out b/c I am not confident in myself yet and with the weather so yucky my knee really hurts! I notice that my knee will "buckle" as I "walk" and I have a hard time controlling my leg (For ex - I will lift it, but then have to consciously think about putting it down again or else it will just flp down - which would NOT feel ok  -  ). I happened to hurt my right leg, so I am not driving yet. What about you Ok - sorry I have rambled on so long... I originally posted in the Post-Op section - under Broken Patella and torn Quad tendon - 6 wks post op.
Posted by Rado (Rado), 6 November 2004

Hello Amanda,

I also happened to injure my right leg. I'm still on crutches (after all it is just three and half weeks since my operation) and cannot even think about driving a car, but I'd love to be able to do so by Christmas.

Before the accident I was also VERY VERY busy - work, children, house, garden... and that has all suddenly changed. It is very frustrating not to be able to do many things - but I'm thanking God for small miracles every day.  For example, today I nearly managed to lift my leg - it didn't happen yet, but I'm sure it will happen by tomorrow.

Wishing you a speedy recovery,
Rado
Posted by dann3h (dann3h), 7 November 2004

I did allmost exactly the same as you Rado, i got my leg out of pot after 4 weeks, i have not been given a knee brace, i was given this elastic tube stuff to put on my knee by the doctors to help support it, but my PT said that if u can get on without it then dont wear it, so i havent worn it since my first PT session (which was last thursday, i got my pot off on the wednesday before). At first i couldnt bend my knee AT ALL, without something feeling like it is going to tear, now after doing all the exercises my PT has told me to do, just 3 days later, i can bend my leg allmost 40 degree's (pushing up under my knee with other leg) without feeling the allmost tearing feeling. I can bend my leg about 30 degree's just using that leg on its own (when layed down on my bed) after this it all tighens up and it wont go any further, but on my first PT session i couldnt do this at all. I still cannot lift my injured leg either, but i can only just do it with my other leg. When i had my cast removed, and i went to my first PT session the day after, all of my quad muscles had all gone really hard, my PT told me that it partly this that causes the knee to be really stiff, and appling heat, and massaging the muscle can help to get rid of this faster and speed recovery, i have been doing this and i only have a little bit of hard muscle now just above my kneecap.

I know that it is possable for me to bend my knee more than 40 degree's because on friday and saturday morning, because i need help getting in and out of cars (someone to lift my leg because i cannot bend it) and my dad dropped my knee when i wasnt sat on the edge of the car seat, my knee dropped to 90 degree's, now, this HURT, i think everyone in a 10mile radius must of heard me shout lots of not very nice words. One of my friends also did this on the saturday morning after (yesterday) it went to 90 degree's but it didnt hurt, but i cant seem to make my knee go that far again, because of the force needed to stretch my muscles that far i think.

I was allowed to put weight on my injured leg since 2 weeks post-op (while i was still in plaster) and i could walk on it staight knee'd without crutches, i cant walk on it now without crutches because i physicly cant do it, my knee collapses because it doesnt have the strength, but i can put weight on it when stood still.

Hope your recovery is quick! like i am hoping mine will be! I hope to tenpin bowl again by christmas. Have you noticed that the blisters on your hands from the crutches hurt more than your knee yet?   lol

Danny
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 7 November 2004

Hi, Rado. I am glad you found us. I am a Tib Plateau Alumna, and I can't tell you too much specifics since you are a patella break, but you will find it takes dedication and perseverance to get your mobility back. I do recommend PT to regain use of your muscles (isn't is amazing how quickly they atrophy?? )

At any rate, Welcome to the club no one wanted to join but I'm glad you found us!  
Posted by millot310 (millot310), 8 November 2004

Just checking in on you to see how your weekend was. How are you feeling this Monday morning?
Posted by Rado (Rado), 8 November 2004

Hi Danny, Kathy, Amanda,

Thank you so much for your moral support. I had my first miserable day since the operation yesterday. I was doing a lot of physio and became very frustrated with a slow progress so far. The only muscles which are going strong are my arms (since my arms substitute my legs recently).

I did a lot of research on bone fractures recently and changed my diet completely - a lot of milk and diary products, fruit juices, no coffee, no alcohol (well I had my first glass of red wine yesterday). I also finished with painkillers as soon as I could and started taking Arnica (helps with the swelling) and Symphytum (good for healing fractured bones).

It is also funny to see how each patella fracture seem to be treated differently. For example, I didn't have a cast at all, just a brace from day one (I had my op in the UK).


Rado
Posted by dann3h (dann3h), 9 November 2004

I was treated in the UK Rado, Grimsby Hospital (Or official name Diana Princess Of Wales Hospital) and i was in a cast for 4 weeks. And YES YES YES i had 50 degree's out of me knee
Posted by Rado (Rado), 9 November 2004

I've seen my PT today (this was my second visit). I can bend my knee 40 degrees after 1 week of physio - I'm so happy today.  
Posted by millot310 (millot310), 10 November 2004

I am glad you are having a godo day!! Way to go on the PT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the hard work!!!!!!!
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 14 November 2004

Thanks for the update, Rado and I wish you all the best in your continued recovery!  
Posted by Rado (Rado), 14 November 2004

Hi,

Did you all had a good weekend?

Today I found something more challenging than physio: installing a bubble wrap in a greenhouse on crutches...

Posted by millot310 (millot310), 14 November 2004

Hmmm.... sounds like a challenge!!!! BE CAREFUL!!!!! But, see I would be out doing that too! I just started painting my house!!!
How was your weekend? Mine was good. My boyfriend took me out last nite.. was very nice!!!!


Posted by Rado (Rado), 24 November 2004

Hi Amanda,

How was your weekend? Mine was good (Christmas shopping) apart that I nearly fell on a wet pavement...

How is your recovery going? Have you managed to get rid of crutches?

My latest success is 54 degrees (with pain). I'm still on crutches...

Rado

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