I'm a student, 21, and after spending 6 months looking on this board, thought it was time to let you know about my story.
In November '08 I slipped on a night out on wet floor, fell, dislocated my kneecap (it swung right around) and fractured my patella horizontally. This is traumatic for anyone, but I am on an intense, physical acting course (ballet and movement twice a week, et al). At the time my life was destroyed. Everything I had worked for suddenly disappeared.
I spent two weeks in plaster. Then at the follow-up appointment with a specialist, and an X-Ray, they discovered the fracture. Two days later I went for an operation, 2 pins and wire.
I went home two days later, and stayed in bed for a few days. Then I spent the next few months in physiotherapy. I could not bend my knee. My muscle had completely atrophied (wasted). I was on two crutches (with metal brace), then went down to one. Slowly. Very slowly.
I weaned myself off the one crutch with lots of difficulty. I was too afraid to walk. I didn't have enough muscle to walk properly. I had to teach myself to walk again. Often I'd feel very lonely and miserable - why did this happen to me? But then I remembered this happens to everyone and you get on with it. I had to persevere, continue and get on with life as best I could.
I sat through three months of classes in the corner, unable to participate. My classmates were hugely supportive.
The operation was in January, and it's now June. My muscle has gone from strength to strength. It took hours at the gym, at the PT, in the swimming pool. I threw myself back into ballet, with pain, to get some bulk around my knee. For the first time in my life I had a focus and a drive I had never had.
This road has been incredibly difficult and upsetting. But with it, in a funny way, has come a newfound determination.
My knee occasionally gives a little pain. My scar is very prominent. My knee doesn't look the same. And neither does my leg. Not compared to the good (right) leg. It's a bit skinny and the knee looks a bit big. I don't care for aesthetics. I can now run, which was the last thing I was able to teach myself without being in intense pain.
Things I still can't do: crouch (ouch).
I've got better at kneeling, which is now a bit more bearable. I've never had to have the metalwork removed, my specialist didn't feel the need to. So far, so good. Touch wood. I can feel the pins and wire if I move the ball around which is somewhat disturbing.
So that's my story. For anyone out there reading this if you've injured your knee, it's horrific, but it gets better. With time it all gets better, you heal quicker. Positive thinking - in hindsight - works.
If you've read this far, thank you.
Peter
