tibial plateau fracture???? not that bad???

[tog]

hi

big guy here
did the splits a week or so ago

knee swelled up and hurt when i put pressure on it with it bent----didn't bother me when it was locked


got up walked around a convention that day---it was sore--and if i bent it while walking--it hurt

went to family doc first---diagnosis acl

then went to ortho---by this time walking decent on it, can bend it with no pain while walking,  a tad sore,  an MRI is ordered


i continue to walk around on it with even fewer problems---almost back to normal

then got the call that i had to go on crutches with no weight on it at all

the mri showed a bad bone bruise possible fracture of the tibial plateau


problem is

i have to coach football on august 10th , i am willing to do whatever i need to do and still do my job
it is something i preach to the kids all the time


no weight isn't going to work, i don't have to run around and tackle people or anything
but i need to be able to

1. move from place to place in a decent time---which without the crutches i was about back to 95% i would say

2. get out of the way when the players come flying through crazy style---to prevent injury of them and me

ideas?

suggestions?

going back to the doctor on monday

but this is killin me in the head right now

[maryc]

Welcome to the club no one wants to join. 
I really don't have a solution to your issue.  The only thing I can think of is getting a golf cart (can your local golf course donate one for use?)
The reason for the non-weight bearing is not just for the fracture to heal, it is also to give the mensicus a chance to mend.  If there are issues with the mensicus and cartilidge not healing properly you have a much greater chance of arthritis developing in the knee and needing a knee replacement in the future.
This injury requires a lot of patience and a lot of hard work when you begin rehab.  That can also be a lesson for your kids to learn.
Sending healing rays your way.

[leezard]

Be glad you didn't need surgery.

And yes, I really do mean that -- the WORST thing you can do is go against doctor's orders and make it worse. If it doesn't heal now, it will only take longer to do that, which means you'll be off your leg longer, as well. Yes, it really does suck, I definitely won't lie... but the more you take care of yourself, the faster you'll heal and the faster you'll be showing those kids how to tackle properly!!



Good luck. The fact that you're able to walk on it with few problems means you're already ahead of many people with the similar fracture -- which means you are likely to heal faster than many of these people, as well and therefore be back to a real semblance of life.

[tog]

so maybe a hinged brace and toe pressure with crutches?


are there not any external supports that can keep it from dislodging?


btw--i have no ligament damage and no lateral meniscus issues

they did say i had some medial meniscus


?

[maryc]

With a TPF the purpose of the knee brace is to keep the knee from twisting. I hate to say this, but without internal hardware to keep everything in place you only real option is to be NWB for as long at the OS says. 

[chipe]

Hi Tog, and sorry you had to join this club.

If your OS says NWB, I'd follow instructions.  MaryC is one of our 'experts', and believe me, I tried all ways to get around it too since if I have NWB in both legs, I'm in a wheelchair.  And that's where I've been since June 10th, and will be until at least August 18th.

Your tibia is the MAIN weight bearing bone in your entire body.  And if you look at a picture of it, the tibial plateau is more like a "Y" that the femur/knee sets in to.  The "Y" is what is broken in a TPF.

There are casts and braces out there, but none of them really satisfy the NWB issue.

Really, listen to your OS, and listen to some of our more seasoned folks here on this site.  If the OS says NWB, please, please don't try to get around it. 

Sending healing thoughts your way.

[tog]

just got off the phone with our school trainer who was told more about it----i was just told by the dr office to stay off of it non weight bearing style


anyhow

trainer told me that the mri showed a very small divot in the cartilage meaning--i think if i get this right

1. bone is exposed
and/or
2. there is a small fracture there

what is the downtime on having screws and plate surgically put in? if i have to go that route to do what i need to do?

[chipe]

Tog,
The down time varies after surgery.  If it is fractured, and depending on the plate/s screw/s situation, plan on 8-12 weeks, with the emphasis on 12.  As my OS said, "Chip, you are on bone time now, give up on the regular time schedule."

We all heal differently, some fast, some slow.  Age is a factor; complying with NWB is another.  Surgery/non-surgery is another.  Diet, excercise, etc. all play a role.

Again, hang in there, and do what the OS says.  I know it is frustrating, believe me I know, we ALL know.  We are with you, please keep us posted.

[tog]

Tog,
The down time varies after surgery.  If it is fractured, and depending on the plate/s screw/s situation, plan on 8-12 weeks, with the emphasis on 12.  As my OS said, "Chip, you are on bone time now, give up on the regular time schedule."

We all heal differently, some fast, some slow.  Age is a factor; complying with NWB is another.  Surgery/non-surgery is another.  Diet, excercise, etc. all play a role.

Again, hang in there, and do what the OS says.  I know it is frustrating, believe me I know, we ALL know.  We are with you, please keep us posted.

that's just it

it isn't broken off---is that displaced?

or is displaced just caved in some?

[tog]

i also have full range of motion
no swelling now




my other knee has an acl/mcl surgery after a football injury about 20 years ago

i am doing the non weight bearing stuff as best i can right now---just a slight toe touch with my new bad knee

i seriously doubt that i could go full non weight bearing due to my size and other knee

[tog]

looking at the schatzker scale and the pics

it sounds like it is less than level 1---just a small divot there within the bowl

[chipe]

Tog, so it's a depression, not a break/fracture?  Read some of the other posts for depressions, that will give you some idea of what you are dealing with.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[tog]

Tog, so it's a depression, not a break/fracture?  Read some of the other posts for depressions, that will give you some idea of what you are dealing with.

Good luck and keep us posted.

they said possible fracture


from my readings depressions seem to be fractures that have fallen downward?

i use football lingo not this stuff

still learning here

it was described to me as a slight/small depression in one little spot on top of the plateau---the whole cup isn't broken off or anything


that is what i am worried about

but

i HAVE to make it through this season as mobile as possible

[Grandhoux]

I had a type I tibial plateau fracture in my right knee when I was 14. I had to stay off it for 12 weeks as everyone said. It was just a crack down the bone but I wasn't given any choice. My right knee, once healed, has never given me any trouble at all ... my left knee is now shot after a road traffic accident. Don't risk it! I can tell you now that nothing is worth risking your knee for! You will be doing those kids a great disservice trying to play the 'hard man', sorry, but you need to grow up! 

[tog]

I had a type I tibial plateau fracture in my right knee when I was 14. I had to stay off it for 12 weeks as everyone said. It was just a crack down the bone but I wasn't given any choice. My right knee, once healed, has never given me any trouble at all ... my left knee is now shot after a road traffic accident. Don't risk it! I can tell you now that nothing is worth risking your knee for! You will be doing those kids a great disservice trying to play the 'hard man', sorry, but you need to grow up! 

you say grow up

i say

it is texas high school football

it is what i am

good luck with your knee issues