Bone breaks around the knee :

Broken Knee Cap... Advice :) - - Posted by dann3h (dann3h), 30 October 2004

Hi everyone, just looking for some general advice on what to expect after my accident... 4 weeks ago on wednesday i had a motorcycle accident were i broke my knee cap into 9 different peices, most of the peices that i broke were very small so all of those peices were removed and one unbroken large peice of knee cap was left in my knee, i now have just over half a knee cap, i also have a wire in my knee. I am 16 years old and male, not a very sporty person but i enjoy my ten pin bowling. I have set my self a target of bowling again by christmas, is this a unrealistic target? i have been told by my doctors that my cast is going to be removed on wednesday, 4 weeks after my accident and operation (had the operation the same night as the accident) and exercises to be started straight away. I am also scared of not being able to do the everyday things that all of my friends do, and not being able to walk without crutches for a long time, because i really like to be out there with my friends. I am not new to breaking bones, i broke both of my arms before, but never needed surgery. Anyadvice appreciated or anyone in a similer situiation advice on recovery  thanks, Danny.
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 31 October 2004

Hi, Danny - I am a Tibia Plateau "baby" so I cannot give you any specific advice. However, I am sure one of our Patella partners will be glad to give you some specific pointers. Just be sure to follow your Dr's advice and take advantage of Rehab to rebuild strength and gain back your range of motion.

At any rate, welcome to the club no one wanted to join!  
Posted by Connecticut_Jets (Connecticut_Jets), 1 November 2004

All I can sa is the 10 pin sport will be the last thing on your mind. You will turn into a gym rat and an acqua man swimming 3-4 times a week and working out 2 times a day if you want to succeed. Athleticism, rehab and sports combo is the #1 factor for recovery. Secondly is the diet with supplements and third is persistence and believing in yourself and you knee.
 
Posted by hkssuppie (hkssuppie), 1 November 2004

At seven months tip-plat I was back bowling using a 10lb ball.  After being competitive in the sport for most of my life including a high set of 803 a few 300 games, I had to work hard to get back to 15lb ball.  Now at 9 months post op, 2 months in the league, i'm back to using a 15lb ball, and have gotten the average up from 160 to 186.  If it's your slide knee...give it time...lots of time.  The fact that I plant instead of slide, didn't help me in my opinion.

Alan
Posted by KNEECAP (KNEECAP), 1 November 2004

Im seventeen and i shattered my knee cap 8 weeks ago. I had three big pieces left and they put a pin threw them and wired the mush of the lower bones together. They put me on a brace that can be adjusted to differen't degrees. For the first 6 weeks, i was not allowed to bend it at all. After two weeks my doc let me take it off so i could take a shower. I just kept my leg strait, he also let me walk straight legged without the crutches after 2 weeks.
   6 weeks post op. i was bending my knee 30 degrees and walking well, 8 weeks and i was able to bend 60 degrees. It has been 8 weeks and 4 days since the accident and im walking up stair well. Im a big hunter and i actually shot a deer with my bow the other day.
   Ill be able to bend my leg 90 degrees after 10 weeks and after 12 weeks we will take my brace off. Ill prolly have therapy, but im doubting it will be much, i seem to be recovering well.

     You should be bowling by christmas if everything goes the same as mine. It will be twelve weeks since your operation on christmas. And maybe bending 90 degrees. Im sure you can, just think positive

Posted by dann3h (dann3h), 1 November 2004

Bowling i have to say, whatever happens, is the first thing on my mind, no matter what it takes i am gonna get there before christmas IF it is possable! I do not actuly have any broken bones in my knee because all the broken bits were removed and just the half i did not break left in so perhaps thats why my cast is coming off so early? i only have one single strand of wire in my leg too, not a figure of 8 like i have seen more people say they have got. From the things i have read i have noticed that younger people seem to have a recovery rate alot faster than aduluts, anyway ill post what the docs tell me on wednesday and ill take it from there, Ill keep you all up to date on my progress, Thanks, Danny.
Posted by dann3h (dann3h), 3 November 2004

Hey, had my cast off today, been home about a hour and seem to be doin ok, i have been told by the doc's to try and keep my leg straight and i have done, and now let the physiotherapist's do there job, he thinks that i will be walking without crutches in 4 to 6 weeks, got my fist PT tommorow at 4pm so kinda looking forward to that, or maybe not... PAIN! my knee feels so weird now, i can move it a little but not much, get back to u guys tommorow, Danny.
Posted by mrmk1111 (mrmk1111), 3 November 2004

danny I shattered mine in june I am 45 though and weigh 230 at 5 '7 my knee is loaded. I am doing very well you will have to take care of that thing for a while but it will get stronger I have the fig 8, looks strange on x-ray,I have started biking and lifting small weights but I could bowl as long as I dont slide,  I cant stand any thing on my knee cap, just can stand my pants leg to touch it but it is better. GOOD LUCK!!!!
Posted by dann3h (dann3h), 4 November 2004

Hey everyone, I have just been for my first PT session and it went very well, I been struggling around college all day but after my first PT my leg feels a lot better the PT didn’t bent my leg much but a fair bit and I got some exercises to do so I am going to do them very regularly and hopefully get better soon thanks mrmk1111. Thanks everyone, Danny.
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 7 November 2004

Thanks Danny for the update. I know that if you keep at it, you will continue to improve. Keep us posted, and best wishes for your continued recovery!  
Posted by dann3h (dann3h), 9 November 2004

Got 50 degree's out me knee yesterday at physio!
Posted by KNEECAP (KNEECAP), 13 November 2004

hey man, its great to hear you are coming a long well.

Yesterday was ten weeks for me and i am at 90 degrees.  I can tell its goign to be real stiff after 90 and the doctor said that is when the PT will come in. Stairs dont seem to be a problem anymore and i plan to climb my tree stand tonight
Posted by kgrosskurth (Kathy G), 14 November 2004

Sounds like you're making progress, guys - way to go!!  
Posted by dann3h (dann3h), 17 November 2004

hey, 6weeks post op tonight in about 1 hour i can get 90 degree's out of my leg now and its really starting to stiffen up past 90... the muscles are all growing back but my knee is still swollen. i walk just about everywere without crutches now, as from friday, and i can put just about all my weight on my leg while it is bent a little bit gonna buy my self a new pushbike soon.... maybe keep me off my motorcyle i just got repiard and deliverd back lol... Danny.
Posted by lizl (lizl), 20 November 2004

Danny and KNEECAP,

It certainly sounds like you are both doing well. That determination to get better and having specific goals will serve you well through recovery.

I have to admit, though, that thoughts of bowling or motorcycle riding would have made me cringe, especially at your points in recovery.  I can understand, however, the drive that must be behind those goals.

I have a forum-related suggestion that will help readers know you better. Click on the word Profile in the header at the top of the page. On the Profile page, scroll down to the Signature block, and then create a timeline of your recovery so far.

LizL
Posted by KNEECAP (KNEECAP), 26 November 2004

thanks for look'n out for us,
   i start Pt this week, 3 times a week for 3 weeks. ive been riding my fourwheeler regularly, i have 80% recovered. I can squat almost all of the way. But hopefully pt will help the most. The doc said im doing relaly well

Posted by dann3h (dann3h), 11 December 2004

Hey, sorry for lack of updates.... I CAN BOWL! i have been bowling properly for about a week now, 10 weeks post op, and i would say about 75% recoverd i can bend my knee about 110 degree's now my physio said i wouldnt bowl by decmber 11th, i proved him wrong and bowled in a tornement this morning goin to PT once a week now, and its goin really well just need clearence from the doc to go back on the road now lol.... Danny.

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