Ruptured Patellar Tendon Surgery

[John42]

Hi Tehtoo

Welcome once again to KneeGuru - tough second time round - if I recall correctly, you are the third time that somebody has reruptured their knee in about ten years - very rare indeed.

No need to to inform you, take care with your rehab - don`t rush it, read some of the previous threads on this web page.  Keep posting.

ps   how did you rupture your leg this time round?   JohnK/ Manchester UK


JohnK/ Manchester UK

[madvillain]

5 years out from RPT surgery.  Never even think about my knee anymore.  Have been very fortunate with rehab...I listened to my body but pushed myself everyday once I started physical therapy.  To all the newbies, it WILL get better and your body will heal...be patient but compliant.  It is NOT a race to see who can get better the fastest, so please don’t compare your injury and rehab to others but rather take the advice given on this thread and take charge of your own recovery. Thanks John (and all those others I went through this with, you know who you are) for all you do to keep this thread going...it really did save me from my anxiety and gave me hope through a VERY difficult time. Peace and recovery to all.

Yea just logged in tonight to say the same.   I had a bilateral ruptures a little under 4 years ago now.  I mean, I still think about my knees and there is always a little more tension going down stairs, stopping on the tennis court or going down a mountain but nothing that is stopping me from doing any of those things again at a high level.  THe knee won't ever feel the same but with hard work and smart rehab you can enjoy life 100% again and return to high levels of activity.

My post history has details of what I did but in general immediately after surgery focus not on ROM but any sort of walker suppored walking in brace and quad iso sets (google it) you can do.  The main thing first few weeks is too arrest muscle loss.  Then you can start working in ROM work and heel slides after a few weeks.  Then onto rowing machine and pool (if available) work.  Then biking, then waking on uneven ground (seriously this is the best, beaches are good, so are hills) and then running and cutting and then lifting heavy weights and so on.

You feeling good John?  Saw your post first when I logged on.  You are def doing great work in support of this community.

[John42]

Hi Madvillain

Appreciate your comments - That`s my goal to inspire others who are going  through the trauma of a RPT injury.

Best

JohnK/ Manchester UK

[Lairy75]

Hi folks,   I haven't posted on here for a year.   I ruptured patella tendon in July last year.  I had straight leg brace for 6 weeks then made good progress in physio then a leg group.   I spent a lot of time in gym focusing on quads .   I've been really happy with progress. I was discharged by physio in may at which time I started a circuit training class.   I've managed to join in with most exercises but the reason I'm getting in touch is that I still can't really run properly .    I battle on doing my shuttles but my knee swells up a lot and I just don't have the strength in it .   I also still worry about my other knee and whether that will go also.   Any advice would be appreciated     

[John42]

Hi Lairy75

I still cannot run even after 13 years, matters not - I have about 135, and thankful I can do most activities but take extra care when it is raining or snow and ice.

JohnK/ Manchester UK

[John42]

Hi Folks   
6th January 1993 I ruptured the patellar tendon on my right leg -
 last week I tripped over a card table which fell fare and square on my kneecap/Patellar - goodness me, it`s very sore and I must visit the local hospital next week for an
ultrasound scan to make sure that there is no serious damage.   

Ouch - it hurts
John/K Manchester UK  :'( 

[Stuart Rulka]

Sorry to hear that news John. Hope all is in fact well!

[Tehtoo]

John,
I hope your exam goes well!

The surgery on October 14th went very well. I am post 3 months and started running (jogging) and squating. Super fast recovery but I believe this is due to 2 things: the injury to this knee (right patellar tendon was cut precisely even like a knife) was not as devastating as the left knee (patellar tendon was like a mop) 7 years ago AND having the experience of the left knee recovery I am more confident about the surgery and physical therapy. 

To those having a "tough go" be patient with yourself and keep working hard!

[madvillain]

Over 4 years now since my duel ruptures.  Time flies.  Feeling good.   Set a new post op PR on the trap bar deadlift the other week: 405 lbs!  It's taken 4 years but I'm now at about 80% pre op 1 rep strength.  I still avoid the type of lifting I did prior (lower rep higher weight) and really don't miss it too much. 

My left knee still has the tendon a bit too loose and going up curbs it always clicks a bit (it's something about the height of the curb).  Wish there was something I could do about it but it's not painful really just kinda an odd feeling that I try and avoid.  Funnily enough doing much larger stepups like while hiking or at the gym is not a problem.  Go figure.  Just curbs.

John I wish you well.  You are an inspiration to so many here.  There have been a couple times since surgery where I hit my knee on something and man it hurts!  Hopefully you avoided any serious damage.  Not much of a prayer guy but you're in my thoughts.

[John42]

Hi Madvillain

Thanks for the compliments - scan tomorrow Friday and hope they dont find any serious problems.

JohnK/ Manchester UK

[John42]

Happy anniversary to my RPT injury, 15 years since I slipped on black ice. Recovered well, left with a 131ROM, until six weeks ago, a table fell flat on my kneecap - An ultra sound scan confirmed that I have not done any damage to the kneecap or the tendon, but the soft tissue under the kneecap has been damaged - OUCH !! :'( :'(

JohnK/ Manchester UK

[madvillain]

Happy anniversary to my RPT injury, 15 years since I slipped on black ice. Recovered well, left with a 131ROM, until six weeks ago, a table fell flat on my kneecap - An ultra sound scan confirmed that I have not done any damage to the kneecap or the tendon, but the soft tissue under the kneecap has been damaged - OUCH !! :'( :'(

JohnK/ Manchester UK

Well that's good, keep that card table for poker night, it's your lucky charm!

[Bascat]

Howdy. It's been a while (just over 3 years in May) since bilateral patellar tendon rupture. I thought 2 years ago I had recovered as much as possible. I would say though it has gone up another notch say 6 months ago and  can manage a normal run. The key is to keep going and keep up with the exercise and progress will be very slow but it's still possible. I go circuit training x2 a week and even can manage a decent run around the gym. The journey is real.

Going down stairs and hills the mechanics are still noticeably strange and knees feel  tight and pressured but no pain. Hope all is well with everyone. The forum really helped in thoese early months. Cheers

[Norene]

Howdy. It's been a while (just over 3 years in May) since bilateral patellar tendon rupture. I thought 2 years ago I had recovered as much as possible. I would say though it has gone up another notch say 6 months ago and  can manage a normal run. The key is to keep going and keep up with the exercise and progress will be very slow but it's still possible. I go circuit training x2 a week and even can manage a decent run around the gym. The journey is real.

Going down stairs and hills the mechanics are still noticeably strange and knees feel  tight and pressured but no pain. Hope all is well with everyone. The forum really helped in thoese early months. Cheers

Hi Bascat - My injury was a few months before yours.   January 18, 2016 I slipped on black ice and shattered my left kneecap and ruptured my left patellar tendon.   My left knee still does not "feel" right and it aches at times (doesn't like cold or damp weather).   I am back to walking 5 miles every morning (sometimes stretch it to 9 miles).   I find my knee and my general outlook is so much better when I get my walk in.   I was 61 when I had my injury so you can come back from it.   

I think my biggest problem is how scared I get when areas are slippery.   My mind immediately goes back to the moment when my knee hit the parking lot and I felt it shatter.   I fear I will always carry that memory with me.

[John42]

Hi Folks who have gone through RPT injuries

I have always recommended to puchase a floor cycle, sit in your favourite chair and pedal away - did me a power of good.

For folk living in the UK, LIDL are offering a good pedal cycle for £24.99, from Thursday for one week only - a very good investment to aid your ROM.

JohnK/ Manchester UK