day 257 things i have learnt in process of MPFL reconstruction surgery with rehabilitation through the weeks and what to expect for patients to undergo this surgery in a funny witty way lol
week 1-2
1) make sure you dose up on painkillers, on the correct hour and dont miss them or the pain will be crazy
2)Sleep will be an issue you learn to expect if after the end of week 1 i called it the stormy weeks
3)Make sure you try to keep the leg and joint moving as early as possible
4)when having showers have something solid on the floor so you dont slip or a stool
5)cryocuff becomes a GOD rather than your ghd hair straighteners as it eases the pain and swelling lol
6)tears frustration and lack of independence will cause outbursts to pre warn you lol
7)anti clotting injections in the stomach they sting like wow but stops the risk of DVT no pain no gain lol

drain out the pain with your ipod touch or ipod, with George ezra, amy winehouse, one direction or adele, coldplay, u2 or nickelback really helps lol
weeks 2-4
1) Frustration tiredness and tears its a part of the process let it out even if it end up being your surgeon or physiotherapist you say it to lol
2) next time my physio or doctor say how did i feel i sarcastically replied you try having three holes drilled into your kneecap femur and your hamstrings ripped out and then see how you feel i got a laugh from them lol
2)Sleeping movements starts to increase as it becomes more comfortable
3) Frustration with VMO sets it to do full leg raises, its a pain but it will happen, its actually funny when you tell your leg via your brain to lift it and it won't but and the time its frustrating
4)Physios and the word "bend" and "time" becomes a common frustrating theme lol just keep going lol
5)Jumpy legs start to happen due to nerves healing and nerve pains that stop you in your tracks...
mentally just control it or use the right pain killers
6)Dry skin- ah very common around the knee Vaseline intensive care was my saviour lol
7) sutures sticking out of skin?- wrap some cling film round your knee to protect it in shower

expect your knee to feel a little weak if you have no brace like i did expect your knee to feel wobbly and be careful when walking it can feel like it will dislocate it is because your muscles are weak at that point
weeks 4-6
1) recovery process seems to speed up, you will notice the leg becomes more responsive
2)stiffness getting in at out of bed, very common the physio said it can last up to 6 months post surgery.
3)sleeping becomes more flexible and easier...
4)no painkillers by this point, maybe one if your knee is tired about physio or a stressed workout.
5)sticking out sutures finally dissolve yes i can finally have a normal shower wohooo lol
6)swelling starts to settle lot quicker
weeks 6-9
1) the bike oh how it frustrated me lol - turning the wheels of a bike is hard to do as the knee cant due to the atrophy then you watch people in the gym and it frustrates you more this is normal it will happen just keep trying

i got frustrated when the physio was like we will try another day i was like no we try it now but know your limits people lol
2)need starts to feel more secure less wobbly due to the atrophy post surgery
3) the feeling of freedom and independence is fully back as you have the ability to do more
4) frustration can set in when doctors as you to explain how you feel some pains with MPFL you cannot describe and when you do doctors look and just smile expect this lol
5)finally running by week 9 wohooo!!
6)knee is still stiff and tight but work on rehabilitation and swimming to build on this..........
weeks 10 -12
1) swelling nearly gone
2)sleeping no longer an issue as the swelling has settled but still stiff getting out of bed and sitting
3)some things can become frustration in the gym because you the muscle groups wont allow you to do them keep doing and use that frustration as a drive to succeed =) its hard but worth it
4)can run now but still feels stiff
5)swimming just keep swimming just keep swimming is a key tool to flex the joint
6)feeling normal...........