Hello Pam,
I am sorry that you have to go through this twice. I injured myself at work when a ladder slid out from under me and I fell six feet down onto a solid concrete floor. I broke my right patella in half and had mulitple fractures on each side. In addition I tore all ligaments and tendons and shredded my quadricep muscle. My injury was in July and I had surgery three days later. My first post surgery appointment was a week and half later where I was advised to use crutches and that I could use my leg to help provide stabilty but not true weight bearing. I didn't like the crutches so I began using a walker instead. With the walker I was able to very slowly, do a few things around the house. At 4.5 weeks post op, I had my next appointment and was advised to begin physical therapy. Three days a week for two hours, one hour on land and one in water. The rehab center where I go, has a lift to get in and out of the pool which we are using until I can climb up and down the ladder. I would truly recommend talking to your ops about professional aqua therapy. They are very careful not to put to much stress on my slowly healing knee. Currently, I am at 6.5 weeks post surgery. Still wearing the brace although it has been opened to 30 degree movement a few days ago and I am using only one crutch. I have my next ops appointment in two weeks. I have been advised from both my doctor and therapist to be patient and that this is a long, slow healing process. I hope this gets better for you. I hope this helps to atleast know that you are not alone.
