Hi, new here so not sure where this goes so put it here.
3 weeks ago I suffered an open and comminuted patella fracture while fell running - basically I smashed my knee on a rock in falling over like a felled tree!
I had a deep, 3cm-wide cut just below the knee (pictured) and according to a friend who was with me, some yellow fluid was squirting out of the joint. More on this later perhaps? My patella (see x-ray) was broken into '3 main' pieces and 'some fragments', the fragments were retained during the surgery as they were 'floating round' and apparently were 'useful' in reforming the kneecap. I had a tensioned wire inserted around the outside of the kneecap.
Ffwd 3 weeks and while I'm able to get about reasonably easily on crutches and my knee can bear some weight briefly, but not bend as it's still in a splint and will be for at least another week. I still have next to no ability to lift my injured leg - I'm sitting upright or lying down, with both legs straight in front of me, I cannot tension my injured leg and can exert next to no upwards pressure on the leg. Maybe about 1-2% of the usual power even if just to hold it up while someone lifts and slowly lowers it.
At this stage is this anything to be worried about? I move my foot fuller, have full sensation all over the leg, just wondered if perhaps the cut to the front of my knee had damaged a muscle badly that was used in 'locking'/tensing the leg which is needed to lift it.
I've tried asking docs about this and they say it's fine as they can feel some 'resistance' when I try to hold my leg up as they lower it, as described above.
Is this something anyone else has experienced following a similar injury, does it sound unusual? Should I just be patient? Lol.
Next up what is the significance of the yellow fluid, is this cartilage or similar and what does this mean, I had read about higher risk or severe arthritis if the knee fluid was lost.
Finally any advice on knee supports? Should I buy my own or will the NHS provide anything decent? I want to be back playing tennis, cycing and climbing hills by Sept/Oct, does this sound feasible?
I have looked at the Neo G range on amazon:
'Neo G MEDICAL GRADE OPEN PATELLA KNEE SUPPORT 'breathable design' for £18.49
'Neo G MEDICAL GRADE STABILISED OPEN KNEE with PATELLA SUPPORT- THE ULTIMATE SKIERS SUPPORT' for £27.99
'Neo G MEDICAL GRADE ADVANCED HINGED OPEN PATELLA KNEE BRACE/SUPPORT 'breathable design'' for £34.99
Does anyone have any views on these? Sorry not sure if allowed to post ext links here.
Thanks in advance for any help or advice anyone can offer.
Mike