Author Topic: new quadriceps patient (Read 6438 times)

droz · « **on:** March 17, 2014, 10:06:17 PM »

New here, 44yrs old. Tore my quadriceps Tendon on march 8,2014, having surgery this coming Wednesday, very nervous, actually very scared, glad to have found this sight, hoping to get some help with things im not sure about. I am told the first 2 weeks after surgery I have to be pretty much bed ridden, how does one shower or even use the bathroom during this time? Its my left knee, and never though slipping on ice would have caused this much damage and pain!!!! any suggestions from all of you that have gone through same thing, I would greatly appreciate !!!!! thanks , Rob

fishy · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2014, 10:24:54 PM »

Droz, first, welcome to the club. We all were scared before the surgery. Knowledge is power, so while you are awaiting the repair I would suggest reading some of the posts found on this site. John42 is our mentor and will guide you through this site. One thing you will learn early....you have sustained a dramatic injury that will require many months of recuperation. The good news is that this can be overcome. Your doctor will outline a serie of events for your recovery...it takes 12 weeks to heal the tendon. Your concern will be getting ROM (range of motion) back as quick as possible.... but that is only part of the healing...building back strength in the quad caused by atrophy will be a concern because of the lack of movement during the tendon healing time. Pain will be moderated by meds at first, you will wean yourself off and then deal with the background pain as you start exercising. I was in braces in both legs (I was a double RPT) for 12 weeks. The braces are locked at 30 degrees then gradually opened as time goes on. Walking will be difficult, stairs almost impossible, running....no. You can shower based on the type of stitching, removing braces, wrapping surgical site in plastic, etc. Keep posting and you will get multiple responses, keep reading the posts of others and you will gain the knowledge that will assist you in your recovery. Good luck, and until next time.... god bless, Bob

John42 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2014, 10:38:51 PM »

Hi Droz / Rob

you have sustained a serious injury with a long rehab.

In the first instant, read some of the previous posts on this thread - also have a look at the undermentioned thread which contains a number of documents which I have collated together with KneeGuru.

Essential that you ask questions - lots of buddies on this thread to impart advice.

Remember - PATIENCE - Listen to your knee.

You should not be bed bound longer than a couple of days, because your leg will be in a plaster cast or a kneebrace. Where do you live?
Don`t even think about driving a vehicle for some weeks until your OS gives you the OK.

Keep posting

Take care
JohnK/ Manchester UK
https://www.facebook.com/QuadricepsPatellarTendonRupture

Stuart Rulka · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2014, 11:43:42 PM »

Droz .love the name. Welcome to this August group. It could be a lot worse! I suggest you occupy yourself while waiting for surgery, researching PTs in your area to find one who has experience with this injury. If you find a good one follow his/her advice, even if it is at odds with the instructions given by your surgeon. A PT is a Professional and will not subject you to anything which might cause you harm!
Experiences on this site vary greatly,the accepted Protocols not having changed in years, although my OS has admitted they have not kept pace with new materials or techniques.
My own situation was at the extreme end of the scale, my physiotherapist ( the head therapist for the Vancouver Olympics having put me on a bike at 2weeks and having me pedalling it at 3 weeks. Being self employed, and highly motivated, I was back at work, sitting, 3 days after surgery! As stated you will find there is a broad range of experiences, so keep an open mind and keep asking questions.

Good luck with your surgery and let us know where you live. We have members all over.

droz · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2014, 01:35:49 AM »

thankyou for the warm welcome, I live in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. I know it will take time before I drive, and back to normal, I guess my biggest worry is being at home, getting up, getting out of the bed, using the bathroom (mostly) and showering not so much, seeing ill have a brace put on, not a cast, I hope to here from more of you and see more advice, and yes ill do more research here and see what others are saying on how to cope with this and get through it!!!!! thankyou very much guys!!

fishy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2014, 04:14:31 PM »

Droz, tomorrow is the big day....so if you haven't already guessed, you will need an "assistant" to help you with the necessities...ie, picking up supplies, feeding, bathing, etc.. It will help if you have a toilet seat riser, walker, etc., to get you prepared. Your doc should give you post op directions. Any luck with securing a list of PT specialists? Let us know how your operation went... you are in our prayers..... Bob

mojocpa · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2014, 05:48:19 AM »

Droz, I hope surgery went well. I did the double trying to fly down stairs in October 1, 2013. All I can say is listen to your knees, your Dr. and your PT and as John says review the posts here from not only the quad rupture side, but the patella rupture side as well. The recovery is very similar. Hopefully you were given locking braces instead of casts. I had my surgery on the 2nd in the afternoon and PT was there late in the afternoon to get me walking the halls. I was released the 6th and went to the office to check on things the 7th for only an hour or so. I hope you have a good support group at home as you will not be able to drive for a while and will need help even dressing yourself. The bathroom thing is not too bad as long as your toilet is not a low rider as getting up can be a problem.

Make sure you have a chair that sits higher and has strong arms to push off on. Also, before leaving the hospital have the PT coach you on getting up and down stairsteps as it seems there is at least one or two getting into most houses. Keep your legs elevated as much as possible as you don't want to develop blood clots in them. Listen to your PT and do the home exercises they give you. As John would say, invest in a floor cycle and heel slides are very helpful. I am at 5 1/2 months and am doing stairs both up and down, but have more trouble when I have something in my hands. You will find declines difficult at first but they get easier. I was born and raised in DeKalb County but live in the northwest now. Also keep posting here as the group here is very supportive and have been where you are.

Dave J

fishy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2014, 11:37:54 PM »

Hey Droz, by now you are in post op or back in your hospital room. The meds are probably doing their job so you mostly are out of it for awhile. When you get around to reviewing these postings 1) it will occupy your time as you heal 2)it will educate you and 3)you will be armed with enough information so you can get the best care. Add a dash of humor, patience and RICE and you will do OK. Now, just how pretty were those ER nurses??? Bob

droz · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2014, 02:34:10 AM »

well knee surgery went great on Wednesday!!!!! surgery was at 10:20am, was about 1 1/2 long, was at home 4pm!!!!!!! doctor called me Thursday to check on me, said my knee cap is good nothing out of wack!!!!! everything looked great, just had to reconnect tendon!!!!!!!! Wednesday night only got 3 hours of sleep!!!!!!!!!!!! man when the neds form hospital where off, OUCH!!!!!!!!!!! scale of 1-10 10 be the worst pain!!!!!! 12!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! taking pain pills every 4 hours!!!!!!! figured out I cant sleep in my bed being to tall and to soft, cant lift my self in or out!!!!! so the couch it is, which im getting better sleep!!!! Dr wants me to do some walking, not all my weight on my left leg but some so ican use the bathroom!!!!! and of course I have to use my walker!!! my new best friend!!!! have to have the knee brace on for 6 weeks, when laying around awake I cnahave it undone so it can breathe, just no movement!!!!!! in 2 weeks, well less now the 31 I got see DR, he takes the wraps off and bandages, as long its healing good, staples will get removed!!!!!! ( OUCH) herd stories about that!!!! then he wants me to start PT sooner then later, Great Dr, was a secondary dr and surgeon for 2 pro basketball teams, and then before he went with abunch of dr to partner up, he was a dr and surgeon for the Chicago Blackhawks!!!! made me feel little better!!!!! still experiencing the pain!!!!! but went better then I thought it would!!! thanks to all of you with your advice and helpful ideas!!!!!!
will keep you up dated as to whats going on and how its going!!!!!!

BOB the nurses were GREAT!!!!!!

fishy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2014, 07:43:05 PM »

Wonderful news Droz.....a one and a half scar is impressive...mine are about five inches....but scars are sexy so I win (lol). Regardless, congrads on the successful operation. Don't hesitate to use any and all resources...make sure to get a handicapped parking permit! The pain will subside as the surgical site heals. I didn't have staples (Kevlar thread permanently placed), but its all part of the process. So kick back and enjoy the ride, you will learn things about yourself along the way, and in the end this will just be a memory. Stay strong.... good looking nurses huh, good for you, my VA nurses were hot, at least the female variety..... Bob

droz · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2014, 09:05:33 PM »

Hi guys, Bob they did cut 5 inches, surgery was only 1 1/2 long, so I have a sexy scar as well forming!!!:) as for handicap placard how do I get on of those?

Stuart Rulka · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2014, 09:54:51 PM »

Bob. Suspect the 11/2 referred to duration not length! So no need to brag! Oz ,I had staples and didn't feel a thing when they came out so don't sweat it.
Suggest you contact PT and start as soon as possible. Good luck.

fishy · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2014, 04:26:41 AM »

DrOz....your doctors office will give you a form you take to your local DMV and the DMV will issue a temporary handicapped. Sticker. Check the Illinois DMV website firstjust to mai sure (or call Dr office). Easy peasy.... Bob

mojocpa · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2014, 02:12:28 PM »

My scars are 6" and 4" I guess the surgeon got better with the second one. Also, no staples, he used super glue type stuff. Dave J

droz · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2014, 01:08:49 AM »

Well hi guys hope all of you are well!!!!! going to Doctor apt this Monday, so it will be 4 weeks post op, been keeping my left leg elevated, icing on and off, though on left side of knee still little swelling and numbness, called doctor 4 days ago, they said it is normal, keep doing what ive been doing. So I am hoping he tells me this Monday I will start Therapy this coming week, which I know will kick my but, but want to start walking more, driving, heck WORKING!!!!!! need to make money!!!!:) but wish the swelling and numbness would go away, any one have this problem when going through all this!!!?

?? thanks guys!!!! hope to here from you soon!!!:)

Stuart Rulka · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2014, 01:21:11 AM »

Droz. I was back working 3 days post -op. No reason not to work unless under the influence of heavy duty painkillers. That's life when you're self employed! A large portion of this is mental.

droz · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2014, 02:33:23 AM »

Stuart did you have a partial tare?? man I wish I was back at work!!

Stuart Rulka · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2014, 03:08:40 AM »

Droz. Full tear quad tendon. Work helped to give me focus. Tap on any of our names to read individual stories.My arthritic wrists were too weak to support my crutches so ditched them (the crutches ) after about 5 days. Trusted my PT and stayed positive!

Sharkey · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2014, 01:03:20 PM »

Stuart, I don't see how you went back to work after a full rupture, I ruptured mine in April, and am not back to work yet. Doc says I might be off until September. It still hurts like hell, and after the PT my knee stiffens up again. Everybody heals different though. Good luck.

mojocpa · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2014, 03:09:40 PM »

Sharkey, it depends on the type of work that you do. In my case I work in a office on a computer so I was able to go back to work at least part of the day the week following surgery. I was also lucky that I had family members that came to visit to haul me around. Also my wife was a godsend in all the things she did for me. One thing I did find is that even over 9 months later kneeling sucks and that is not good for a Catholic boy like me.

Stuart Rulka · « **Reply #20 on:** July 15, 2014, 05:59:57 PM »

Sharkey. Tapping a name will give you a full history so no point in rehashing everything, but my big advantage was little pain so no meds. I could not have worked under the influence of painkillers!
Radiographs in May did show bone fragments up to 10mm floating around so I still have swelling and that rubber doughnut feeling, but have to be patient waiting to have them removed. Our Canadian system is great in an emergency, not so swift for routine problems. Still hiking 3 to 4 times a week.
Enjoy your summer everyone.

Sharkey · « **Reply #21 on:** July 19, 2014, 01:37:03 PM »

Quote from: Stuart Rulka on July 15, 2014, 05:59:57 PM

Sharkey. Tapping a name will give you a full history so no point in rehashing everything, but my big advantage was little pain so no meds. I could not have worked under the influence of painkillers!
Radiographs in May did show bone fragments up to 10mm floating around so I still have swelling and that rubber doughnut feeling, but have to be patient waiting to have them removed. Our Canadian system is great in an emergency, not so swift for routine problems. Still hiking 3 to 4 times a week.
Enjoy your summer everyone.

I'm new here, so I'm not familiar with certain protocols. Don't have the foggiest idea what you mean by rehashing. I know this injury is frustrating when I work my behind off at rehab, then come home and the knee stiffens back up and is constantly sore, like nothing was done. Then the PT wants me to do more work after I get home. I've been going to therapy for only 2 weeks, but it seems like it's been longer. PT says I still have a lot of scar tissue remaining and I might have to get another MUA or even surgery to remove it. Not looking forward to either.