pedro77
15-07-2005, 07:04 AM
Okay here goes...
On May 9th I was playing basketball with some friends, lost my footing on some wet ashphalt and felt a "snap" in my knee. It hurt immensely. I looked down to see the kneecap about 3-4 inches higher than what it should be. I went to the hospital, xrays were done, and the ER doc said that I had ruptured the patellar tendon. They put it in a Zimmer Splint. (foam and velcro wrap with metal re-inforcing on the back and sides)
I saw an Orthopaedic Specialist 2 days later (this was the soonest I could get an appointment). He took a look at the knee and the xrays and said that I had likely ripped the tendon off of the bottom of the kneecap as opposed to tearing it mid tendon. He said that it was a good thing as it is a stronger fix when it tears off of the kneecap.
Surgery was scheduled for the 18th of May. (9 days after the injury) The surgery was delayed due to swelling and the fact that I had some exams to write for my schooling. It was the first time ever for surgery. Everything went well. The Orth Surgeon came into the recovery room after I came out of anesthetic and explained what he had done. The tendon was sutured and passed through 3 bone tunnels in the kneecap and anchored above the kneecap into some muscle tissue. He said the procedure went well....no complications.
The knee was locked in extension for 2 weeks using the Zimmer. During this time I was not to do anything. At 2 weeks the staples were removed and I was switched over to a hinged knee brace (still locked in extension).
I started PT 6 weeks post-op. Our goals were 30 degrees flex and full passive extension for the first 2 weeks, and 45 degrees flex and full passive extension for the next 2 weeks. Weightbearing was allowed as tolerated. PT consisted of passive range of motion exercises, ultrasound, high voltage stimulis, and ice. Our goals were met with quite a bit of screaming on my part to get the 45 degrees.
On June 30th I had a check up with my Orth Surgeon. He said that thing seem to look OK, and that we can proceed with full active flex and active ext to 120 degrees. He did express some concern about the amount of scar tissue. I told him about the pain experienced during PT and he stated that it will be rather painful trying to get the range of motion back because we literally have to tear through the scar tissue that has formed. I asked if it was wise to take my painkillers left over from after the surgery before PT. He said to go ahead.....at this point he is confident that the repair will hold, and any pain experienced will be from scar tissue only, not to worry about re-damaging the tendon.
Over the past 2 weeks we have gained about 15 degrees more...so up to about 60 degrees. It has been extremely painful trying to get more range. I am "walking" with almost no weight on the single crutch. I am able to do straight leg raises with no extension lag with some pain. I am also able to do leg extensions while hanging the leg off of a chair...also some pain. I can bear full weight while balancing without the knee brace. PT now consist of the same as before, but with added quad strengthening excercises. We are hoping to have enough stabilization next week to discontinue the use of the knee brace.
I was wondering if there was anyone else out there that has had this injury and what their experience was like. Does anyone have any secrets to being able to bear the pain of ripping through the scar tissue?
Thanks....
Peter
On May 9th I was playing basketball with some friends, lost my footing on some wet ashphalt and felt a "snap" in my knee. It hurt immensely. I looked down to see the kneecap about 3-4 inches higher than what it should be. I went to the hospital, xrays were done, and the ER doc said that I had ruptured the patellar tendon. They put it in a Zimmer Splint. (foam and velcro wrap with metal re-inforcing on the back and sides)
I saw an Orthopaedic Specialist 2 days later (this was the soonest I could get an appointment). He took a look at the knee and the xrays and said that I had likely ripped the tendon off of the bottom of the kneecap as opposed to tearing it mid tendon. He said that it was a good thing as it is a stronger fix when it tears off of the kneecap.
Surgery was scheduled for the 18th of May. (9 days after the injury) The surgery was delayed due to swelling and the fact that I had some exams to write for my schooling. It was the first time ever for surgery. Everything went well. The Orth Surgeon came into the recovery room after I came out of anesthetic and explained what he had done. The tendon was sutured and passed through 3 bone tunnels in the kneecap and anchored above the kneecap into some muscle tissue. He said the procedure went well....no complications.
The knee was locked in extension for 2 weeks using the Zimmer. During this time I was not to do anything. At 2 weeks the staples were removed and I was switched over to a hinged knee brace (still locked in extension).
I started PT 6 weeks post-op. Our goals were 30 degrees flex and full passive extension for the first 2 weeks, and 45 degrees flex and full passive extension for the next 2 weeks. Weightbearing was allowed as tolerated. PT consisted of passive range of motion exercises, ultrasound, high voltage stimulis, and ice. Our goals were met with quite a bit of screaming on my part to get the 45 degrees.
On June 30th I had a check up with my Orth Surgeon. He said that thing seem to look OK, and that we can proceed with full active flex and active ext to 120 degrees. He did express some concern about the amount of scar tissue. I told him about the pain experienced during PT and he stated that it will be rather painful trying to get the range of motion back because we literally have to tear through the scar tissue that has formed. I asked if it was wise to take my painkillers left over from after the surgery before PT. He said to go ahead.....at this point he is confident that the repair will hold, and any pain experienced will be from scar tissue only, not to worry about re-damaging the tendon.
Over the past 2 weeks we have gained about 15 degrees more...so up to about 60 degrees. It has been extremely painful trying to get more range. I am "walking" with almost no weight on the single crutch. I am able to do straight leg raises with no extension lag with some pain. I am also able to do leg extensions while hanging the leg off of a chair...also some pain. I can bear full weight while balancing without the knee brace. PT now consist of the same as before, but with added quad strengthening excercises. We are hoping to have enough stabilization next week to discontinue the use of the knee brace.
I was wondering if there was anyone else out there that has had this injury and what their experience was like. Does anyone have any secrets to being able to bear the pain of ripping through the scar tissue?
Thanks....
Peter