Ruptured Patellar Tendon Surgery

[John42]

Hi Madvillian 

Just back from two weeks sunshine in Tenerife - yep, I do like your comment trying to squeeze information from a physio "" have you seen/dealt with this type of injury before ""

I use this phrase so often to newbies, because it`s a fact that a RPT injury is rare and the majority of physios do not have the skills required.   

Well done - an interesting up date - I am now 12 years down the line - the knee still gets inflamed and have to use a pain killer to calm it down and I still have only 115 ROM which will not improve.

JohnK/ Manchester UK

[diane72]

Hi All,

Just dropping by to say hello. I'm just over a year post accident. Despite them saying what you get at 12 months is all you get I do still see I am not fully recovered but still slowly progressing, just started doing the stairs downwards alternating legs at the train station whereas before I struggled to do this and had to do one step at a time. The early numbness is all gone now.

Chiropractor, thanks for asking the sports doc you know, it actually wasn't wire but high strength cable they put in to mine so I don't know if that makes a difference. I campaigned to get it out early on but they said that it wasn't easy to remove. I suspect I snapped it at some point as I have ROM of about 130.

So I am coming up to more surgery as my body decided to grow bone on the cables and it is very sharply pushing out from my knee so can't lean on it at all and it causes me pain. Last hurdle to recovery I am hoping! Focusing on losing weight for the op. to optimise recovery.

Hope everyone is doing ok

Diane

[vonlehmd]

Hello All,

It has been a while since I checked in.
Suffered a bi-lateral patella tendon rupture in the gym on 9/11/2013.

3 years and 5 months post injury.
I am 49 years old.

Back in the gym.  (Bodybuilding routine)
I get around well.  Can squat, do leg presses, etc.
I choose not to run.  I could but don't.  No need to pound the old knees. 

Like most, my quads shrunk to half their size after the injury.
I now have some size and strength back, but nothing like pre-injury.

The knees still feel hollow (or somewhat disconnected).  They still pop and crack...  Not much pain unless I am working my legs in the gym too hard.

Injuring both (bi-lateral) was tough, but at least both legs look the same (size-wise). 

Not much I can't do (besides choosing not to run, which I always hated to do anyway).

Here are some of my routine notes:

Diet (Intermittent Fasting- check it out)
Supplements:  Cissus Q, Creatine, Hyaloronic Acid with Collagen (sp?).
3 to 4 days per week weight lifting.
I drive about 1,500 miles a week (traveling sales job).
Dry sauna after all workouts for 20 to 30 minutes.
Rumble Roller (roll out quads and body pre-workout).

Lower body (3 plus years after injury):
Front squats
Leg Presses
(I avoid leg extensions, not good for the knee unless very light weight)
Straight leg deadlifts
Leg curls
Callf raises
Hip thrusters and glute bridges

Besides smaller quads, scars and snap crackles and pops, I am pretty much back to normal.  Maybe even better than before in some respects..  My ROM is pretty much normal if not better than pre-injury on both legs. 

For those of you thinking that you won't get full ROM back unless you really push it early on, that's B.S....  I recall being 5 to 7 months post injury and still having issues with at least one leg.  But I do love the gym (working out with weights) so this is past of my lifestyle.  As long as you plan to keep working your legs (with resistance training especially) you will make progress for months and years to come. 

I Hecker in after over a year and noticed that a post menitoned that a lot of people never report back after things get more back to normal. so I thought I would do a quick brain dump of thoughts to provide some hope for those struggling.

Let me know if I can provide anything further.

Cheers,

Dan VonLehmden
Stuart, FL

[Chiropractor2001]

It is really good to hear that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I am at 17 weeks and 2 days post surgery.
Things are getting better.. walking almost without a limp.
Lower quads are still giving me problems.. . Rom is almost back.  Going to the gym few times a week.. bike .rowing machine. Push..and hack machine ( no weight).
I greatly appreciate all the people that came back to write on their progress..
Starting work in 2 weeks...
Best of luck to all of us..

[Bascat]

Thank you for post Vonlehmd. I too did the double about 9 months ago now so helpful to see how someone else is progressing.

I am figuring out my regieme at the momment since PT has got me doing squats but find I need to allow suitable rest days.  So I'm gyming  it 1hr sessions at start and end of the week and just started doing some work in the pool in between. I've got a floatation belt and trying out some deep water running to give em summit different. Also trying some light yoga  find plank position difficult since the quads don't fire easily .

Now I'm in the routine I quite enjoy the workout but have to push myself to go sometimes as normally involves getting up half hour early but always feel better after.

Not loosing weight though and could do with shedding some more timber.My weekness is snaking at work on the wrong things...chocolateand 🍰. Gym also makes me hungry.

My wife is a research nurse and is currently looking at the impact of eating and heart health. However it is a good generalist eating advice and will aid weightloss without mad dieting. Any one interested see or google cardiologistskitchen.com and they are on insta fb and twitter too.

Cheers

[Alkotter]

I'm glad I found this site.  A lot of positive stories here.  2 weeks post op and looking forward to the journey back.

[John42]

Hi Alkotter

Welcome to the RPT thread on KneeGuru

Kindly let us have a bit more detail so that we can offer you some help - where did you live?  how did  you sustain your injury?   Please do ask questions - we are here to help you

JohnK/ Manchester UK

[Sinkrate]

Hi all, been redirected over to this thread! Great forum would not believe how much it helps reading all the information. Thanks.

Complete rupture of Patella Tendon 2 weeks back.
Just having the hinged brace fitted tomorrow, so physio sessions start.

Just wondering if anyone has used / experienced a physio around Manchester who specialises in this injury?

@john42 I see you are Manchester based, do you know anyone who specialises in this specific injury in the local area. I'm about 10 miles south of the airport.

Cheers

[John42]

Hi Sinkrate   

Welcome to the RPT thread on KneeGuru - you need to read some of the past threads on this website - how did you sustain your RPT injury?

Which hospital did your surgery?   

I was done at The North Manchester General hospital - general problem that the PT was lousy as this is a very rare injury. 

Open up the attachment - this contains documents which explains your injury and the rehab process.   

Prime question as when you commence PT - ask the question " have you dealt with this ype of injury before ?

Keep asking questions - Do not attempt to drive a car - sleep with a pillow/cushion between your knees - watch out for wet pavements, grass etc .  Which part of south Manchester do you live in?

Best/ John K/Manchester UK

you can always ring me or skype me  01617924798

 https://www.facebook.com/QuadricepsPatellarTendonRupture

Take care  JohnK/ Manchester UK

[Sinkrate]

Hi John, cheers for the reply.
I live just outside Wilmslow, treated very well at Macclesfield.

Have had the 30 degree leg brace fitted, no pain in reaching 30 just a little stiff.

How soon can I start physio after having this fitted any idea? Cheers for all the info above

[John42]

Hi Sinkrate   

The norm is six weeks - but the tendon takes 15/20 weeks to heal, so listen to your knee - remember PATIENCE is required.

Bestr

JohnK/ Manchester UK

[Stuart Rulka]

Sinkrate, I started PT two weeks following surgery. I was blessed with a very experienced PT, who was familiar with the injury. Remember, everything is a balancing act; the  longer you wait the greater the level of healing,but the greater the degree of muscle atrophy, and the harder, and longer, the recovery. At six weeks I had resumed my normal activities!

[Sinkrate]

Thanks guys. I've been in touch with my physio.
The next appointment at the hospital is in 4 weeks time, that will be 6 weeks post op and still at 30 degrees, going up to 60 at 6 weeks.
Bit worried that I should be flexing it a bit more in a few weeks time but like you say don't want to rush it either!

Thanks for the advice

[Chiropractor2001]

Hi sinkrate
I started my own physio about the third week after surgery. I almost reached 90 degrees by 6-7 weeks. Now I am not saying to risk it. I am just saying what I did.
I am about 21 weeks post surgery and doing most of my stuff. Obviously not everything... best of luck
Just make sure you don't fall or slip. Rest well .. get some proteins shakes with l glutin for repair..
And listen to your knee...  you will recover..

[Sinkrate]

Thanks mate good to hear. So glad I found this forum it's a nasty injury and really good to hear the positive stories, cheers all.
The knee certainly feels better than I thought it would (pain wise at the moment anyhow).
Big thanks for taking the time to comment / help