Ruptured Quadriceps Tendon

[WestcoastMom]

Had a quick 1 week post op visit.  5 more weeks in locked brace.  Then to PT for range of motion if all looks good.  Par for the course...

Doc does think it is possible that I tore the quad tendon on the good leg 2 years ago.  It seems strong enough but we might MRI before the end of the year to take a look.

He stressed that as long as the leg remains straight that it would be hard to tear or injure.  And I am sure he thought I was a crazy person with some of my concerns.  Not that it would stop me from asking.

Do you think there is any way your could feel something coming undone?  I sometimes get these random pains in my patella that make imagine something pulling away.  Same just above where the tendon was stretched.  (I think given the length of time between the injury and surgery makes me worry a bit more.)

Thank you for your answers, stories, humor and wisdom.  And humoring an old math major about an anthropology and literature child. 

Sleepless in Seattle.

[Barrjoe]

I tore my right quad 3 times. First time there was no question I did something, though I didn't have a clue what. Second time, I knew I retore it, but was in denial. Third time I don't have a clue when it could have happened.

I went to Mayos in May to get both knees looked at. The doctor confirmed I partially retore my right quad and my left knee was "shot" and needed a total replacement. He gave me a lead time of 4 months on the replacement and 2 month on a tendon graft for the quad knee. Needless to say , I had to make a decision. Decided to get knee replacement done locally as the knee specialist had an excellent reputation. Guess I kind of rolled the dice as to what knee to get fixed first. My left knee was becoming more and more unbearable and I decided to get that done first.  Think I guess right there.

Now to the right quad. It doesn't hurt at all. Actually, the knee cap is numb from getting carved twice . It kinda looked like a healed over ax wound about 3 inches long. I am worried about it going out though, so I ordered a brace from amazon and had it 3 days later. The pt girl was kinda laughing at me until I brought it in and she helped fit it. It cost 70 bucks and feels better than anything else I've had  since I first got hurt. And most of those were at least 300 bucks and one was over a grand. Anyway, I've had it for 2 weeks and been walking 2 miles a day with it. I feel both legs getting stronger. Plus it has helped my mental state even more. I feel as though I could live with my right knee as it is for the interim anyway. Time will tell....

[WestcoastMom]

I certainly followed your story, barrjoe, when I read all these pages.  I am so sorry for all you have gone through and also impressed on how you have handled it all. 

What brace did you purchase?  I might be something for my "good" left knee as I work through the right.

[Barrjoe]

It's called a NEO G Adjusta  Fit.  Hinged open knee brace. Says it's Unisex and one  size fits all. They got it listed for 82 bucks but think I paid 70. Might be worth a try for ya.

Good luck......

[mojocpa]

Last Sunday was my 4 year anniversary of doing the double trying to fly downstairs. Not a lot has changed, I feel my knees every step I take, not a pain but I know they are there. Going down stairs/declines still sucks, especially with something in my hands, I just feel uncomfortable and paranoid of falling again. I can't stand for a long time. But at least I am not in a wheelchair or using a walker for the rest of my life. Thanks John and everyone else here that have helped me along this journey.

Dave

[Vinny61]

I'm  so glad I found this site. Tons of very helpful information.

I tore both quad tendons doing fron squats at the gym on 9/1/17.  It  will be 5 weeks post op on 10/6.

I'm just curious if anyone with a bilatteral  tear can share their expererience with driving. My surgeon says I can drive with my braces unlocked ( only for driving) but I'm hesitant to give it a try.

Also, what have you found to be the best way to cover your braces while showering? I tried some cast covers but they were to tight to get over the clips on my braces. Thinking of the trash bag route now..

[mojocpa]

My doctor cleared me to drive at 2 months. My office is only a mile away from home so driving was less treacherous than in the country. I believe I had the braces unlocked.

As far as showering, once my incisions healed (which was pretty quick as my surgeon used super glue to put it together), my wife would put a chair in the shower and I would sit on it and take the braces off and shower that way. It worked for me.

Dave

[ericthomas]

Hello ya'll,

Very pleased to find this site and read (for multiple hours) that many people are or have been in the same situation. I wanted to get some feedback from those at my stage of recovery and those who are weeks ahead if possible? I am trying to measure my own rate of progress with the docs recommendations so far. I'll break things down because I believe details matter regarding opinions:

Background:

28 Male
6'2"
220lbs
Prior collegiate athlete, Prior military

Profession - Strength and Conditioning Coach/Personal Trainer (which, in-part, is why I am here. Slightly confused with the docs rehab protocol).

History - Previous L knee, ACL and meniscus reconstruction in 2010 (yes, this isn't my first rodeo with knee issues). Healed great, no further issues.

Injury - Occurred on 9/4/2017. During the bottom of a clean (front squat with knee in full flexion "bent") I bumped by chin. I attempted to bail the weight (225lbs) onto some wooden blocks. However the blocks were not as high as my knees. When I bailed the weight, the entire 225lbs fell on my right knee while in full flexion.
There was no "pop" or instability, still maintained full extension with straight leg lifts and full ROM.

48hrs later, I had localized swelling with a decrease in strength and ROM. This told me something was wrong as this deep hematoma took several days to occur. After several days of ice, compression and rest, the swelling went down and I could walk up and down stairs with relatively no problem (Note, I have a high pain tolerance).

Continued working out upper body for 2 weeks while the knee healed. My assumption was at best a bad contusion and at worse, a partial tear of my VMO and/or the patellar femoral joint (quad tendon).

Once swelling decreased, I could "feel" palpation of my VMO. Coupled with the fact that I could not achieve a strong contraction, I knew something was more severe.

Went to the doc and had an x-ray done on the 18 Sept. The doc did not find any discrepancies and I had to almost beg him for an MRI (which as a trainer, was new for me). It wasn't until he removed fluid from my knee (2 total syringes) that I explained the amount of fluid is indicative of something more than a "deep hematoma". He finally ordered an MRI "and transfer of care".

I had my MRI on 27 Sept and went over the results with my new and current doc on 4 Oct 17.

Prognosis:

Doc explained that I had a 5cm longitudinal full thickness tear along my VMO with 1 cm medial retraction. The doc explained the ins and outs of the procedure and the cost in waiting to do such a repair. I decided (before the appointment), that I would surely have surgery if needed.

I was told he would do a simple procedure of trimming any scar tissue on the muscle and roughen the bone to a light bleeding before suturing both muscle and patella together. At that time, he estimated about 2 weeks in full immobilization before beginning a rehab protocol and flexion of ROM up to 30 degrees. All made sense to perfect sense to me. Additionally, given my job, he was able to schedule me pretty quick. I had surgery on 5 Oct 17.

Post-Surgery/Currently.

I'm now on my 4th day after surgery, I know, fresh off the table

Pain isn't too bad and swelling is starting to go down. I removed the dressing and only have 2 stitches at either ends of the cut. I believe he used internal stitches to seal my knee up.

I could bear weight the day of surgery.

On day 2 (Friday, 3 Oct), after the nerve blocker began to wear off, I was reminded just how painful this could be. Began using the crutches to get around the house. Spoke to the doc on a follow-up call during this day. I was confused by what he said and I'm hoping maybe some hear have heard the same thing? I was told that he would like me to stay in the immobilized brace for up to 4 weeks before going through any type of rehab. Moreover, he would not adjust my brace to 30 degrees flexion until the 4th week of immobilization and 4 weeks until I can drive (which is tough given my job). This is slightly different from what I both professionally and personally know or what was described pre-surgery as 2 weeks of immobilization and zero flexion. Has this 4 week protocol been common for most?

Yesterday (7 Oct) and today (8 Oct), I am able to "walk" or better described as limp with my knee in a brace. There is no pain or discomfort in doing so.

Anytime I raise my leg on a stool, chair or bed, I typically grab the brace by the hinges to support my knee. Without doing so, I can feel a "pull" directly on the VMO and patella area. Aside from that, no more pain meds and knee is not much of a bother.

Side note, I am also supplementing to at least encourage a bit more healing.

Daily, I'm using:

4g of Vitamin C
15g of Collagen
6g of Gelatin
200g of Protein
3g of Omega-3
2mg of Copper
100mg of Zinc
10g of BCAA's (Leucine, Valine and L-Valine)

Has anyone been in my situation or been able to walk (with immobilizer) pain free shortly after surgery before?

[Barrjoe]

My problem after first surgery wasn't pain from walking, it was getting up. Don't know if it was the blood going down the leg or what, but for about 2 weeks when I put my leg on the floor or got up it was pure agony.

When I retore it in late December, I had horrible swelling right after the injury. My knee got as big as a basketball. No bs. Didn't have a lot of pain though.Kinda sound like we got similar builds as I was 6'1, 220 before I got hurt. Gained about 20 lbs since due to inactivity, but has lost about 5 of it back.

[ericthomas]

My problem after first surgery wasn't pain from walking, it was getting up. Don't know if it was the blood going down the leg or what, but for about 2 weeks when I put my leg on the floor or got up it was pure agony.

When I retore it in late December, I had horrible swelling right after the injury. My knee got as big as a basketball. No bs. Didn't have a lot of pain though.Kinda sound like we got similar builds as I was 6'1, 220 before I got hurt. Gained about 20 lbs since due to inactivity, but has lost about 5 of it back.

Barrjoe,

That sounds tough! Yes, sounds like we are similar. I don’t have much pain standing or walking. Although, I have to fight the urge to bend my knee as I walk. Before your second tear, how did it feel throughout rehab and afterword?

- Eric

[Barrjoe]

I thought that rehab was going great. I was in a locking brace until mid December and when I got out of that I started pt. Even started walking at an indoor football stadium. This was the first time I had a major leg injury, so I really wasn't sure what it was suppose to feel like. I guess it felt more tight than anything, not really sore. Also, could never do a leg lift.

I should add, however, that in ever had one of those leg braces fit comfortable. I would tighten it until it hurt and 5 minutes latter it would be loose. And I had 3 different braces over that 5-6 week span and all of them were ill fitting to say the least.

When I retore it, I was ironically enough on my way to pt. Was going into the house from the garage up a couple stairs and it buckled. I hit my knee hard on the door threshold. Actually thought I broke something.  Then the swelling started immediately.

I really don't have advice about recovery Eric, since I haven't got there yet. More than happy to share what has happened so far though.

Best of luck

[ericthomas]

I thought that rehab was going great. I was in a locking brace until mid December and when I got out of that I started pt. Even started walking at an indoor football stadium. This was the first time I had a major leg injury, so I really wasn't sure what it was suppose to feel like. I guess it felt more tight than anything, not really sore. Also, could never do a leg lift.

I should add, however, that in ever had one of those leg braces fit comfortable. I would tighten it until it hurt and 5 minutes latter it would be loose. And I had 3 different braces over that 5-6 week span and all of them were ill fitting to say the least.


When I retore it, I was ironically enough on my way to pt. Was going into the house from the garage up a couple stairs and it buckled. I hit my knee hard on the door threshold. Actually thought I broke something.  Then the swelling started immediately.


I really don't have advice about recovery Eric, since I haven't got there yet. More than happy to share what has happened so far though.

Best of luck

Wow! Hopefully they get it right and at least have you in a proper brace!!

I’d appreciate anything you share. I will do the same. At the end of the day, we don’t have to walk this road alone.

Look forward too your updates and quicker recovery, Barrjoe.

-Eric

[Barrjoe]

Thanks Eric. I'm not a gym guy, but your list of supplements got me intrigued, to say the least. Guess I'm curious as to what they do. I guess I never told you that I'm 58 as well, though before I got hurt I was told by many that I looked in my 40's. That is no longer the case.

[WestcoastMom]

Just checking in with a few questions.  I am a little over 3 weeks post op.  I have been walking around the house with no crutches for at least a week (although I keep,the crutches handy when I am out).  No therapy or bending until after my 6 week post op.

My biggest question these days is about discomfort and pains.  Nothing terrible and I am not concerned about the actual pain.  More just about if it is normal.  I sometimes get a significant tightening just above the knee - and it will be firm to the touch.  I also get some pain and tingling around the knee.  Just in the last day or 2, I have noticed more pain just above the kneecap - at rest and when walking.

Just so unsure of what is concerning and what is normal!  (I won’t count the time my crazy white dog smacked me with her paw when I wasn’t responding to her in the manner she deemed correct.)

I have taken to wrapping household tools to the back of my leg to help me feel secure when getting showers.  And my poor car just wants to get out for a spin...

[Barrjoe]

Unless your Doc told you it was ok to walk without crutches , Mom, I wouldn't mess around. I did and wether it caused my first retear or not, I don't know. But I know it didn't help.i was in a cast for about 6 weeks after the second retear, and it still went again.  This is a wicked injury. Found that out the hard way