Patellar Tendon Rupture.....

[FINFAN3DP]

Drunk & Rob,

Thanks for the words guys. It really does help knowing other people are going through this. Well the pain isn't as bad now and I have stopped taking the hydrocodone. I have my first appointment with the surgeon that did this crap to me tomorrow. I'm just wondering if any of you guys have gone through depression? I am a pretty upbeat kinda guy, but I have found myself breaking down the last couple of days. I just can't seem to get this rotten feeling out of my head. I'm wondering if it's because I'm coming off the meds or something? We were in the process of buying a new house before this happened and the closing is next week. I won't be able to move my own family and that has me really bummed. It's like i'm useless sitting here with this brace on and can't do anything. I mean i'm lucky because everyone has said they will help, friends, co-workers, but still, I wanted it to be me. The stress of the closing, new payments, no good leg, and not being able to move my own family has got me really down and all the while worrying that some management member is trying to screw me out of my job because they don't like me because I'm union president. I have never been this way before in my life. I have never had a surgery or a broken bone or even spent a night in the hospital before this.
I'm a large guy at 350, and I haven't had a decent appetite since the injury.
Am I losing my marbles or are these things usual?

[drunk_again]

Fin:

This is a life changing experience. The first couple weeks are a shock to the system and it takes a heavy toll. You have to adjust and learn to accept the current situation as best as you can, my friend, even though it has come at a dire time. Losing your independence is hard to do, especially when bills need to be paid and people are depending on you, but you need to understand there is only one thing you can do now: patiently heal and recover.

My stress level when this first happened to me was through the roof, and I was exactly like you, completely depressed and full of doubt and fears. Then I was decided to go with the current and stop fighting the flow of life, if you get my drift, and I came to terms with what I could realistically do and what I had to set my goals to do.

It's now five months after my surgery, to the very day, and my life has returned to normal. I'm far from completely healed and recovered, but I'm able to do whatever I need to do in a normal day. I won't lie to you, this has been the hardest five months of my life, but if it doesn't kill you, eh. Just stay positive and focused. Try to do some reading that you never had time to do, or pick up a new hobby, besides masterbating and binge drinking, now that you have plenty of time to do it. Watch what you eat!!! I put on 20 lbs while I couldn't move, and now I'm trying to work it off, and it's a bitch.

Like the doctor told me, no one injury is alike, so yours might heal more quickly than mine, hopefully, or it might need some more time. Just be careful, don't do anything stupid, and get closer to your family. You're going to need them now.

Keep drinking,

Drunk_Again

[FINFAN3DP]

Ok, I work at a desk. How long before the doc lets me go back to work? How long before i can walk again without the use of the walker. The doc won't tell me anything except it takes time. That has me steamed. I mean if I could get a time frame I would be able to deal with it better.

Good news was that at todays visit he said the wound is healing nicely with no infection and no drainage. I have 26 staples that he says will come out on 1/4/07. Does this hurt? He was impressed with my walking with the walker. He just won't tell me much and it's driving me nuts. He said he'll tell me when it's time, just to be patient. Well, one thing i'm not is patient.

[Steve in NH]

To FinFan,
Well, I have been reviewing your recent posts to this site and can relate to your comments. I am soon to be 57 years old, 190 pounds and like you I had never been in hospital or any surgery of any kind. It has been 6 months now for me since my June 24th injury. I had very quick surgery on same day and then 4 weeks later PT began (3 times a week). My PT consisted of about 28 sessions until my insurance ran out which gives you a time frame. I was on couch like you every day with brace on and laptop on pillow in front of me. I started driving about 4-5 weeks after and went back to work in minivan (1 hour commute to office) at about week 5 with slight bend in brace to get under dashboard. I was able to handle braces pretty well including up stairs and down with railings. This info is mostly for Fin to get a handle on time frame, etc. I will say I have heard about wires, staples and screws being put in knee to repair tendon, however I had none of these. My doctor drilled 3-4 holes in patella and secured tendon directly which has healed nicely. Only issue is upper thigh strength....which is another subject. SO......I am glad to hear you have gone OFF the pain killer, that I think is major part of your depression.....along with not being in control of your day to day life right now and also major BM issue (which for me was more painful than knee). I was perscribed Oxycodone and as someone has said here....it is the devil! I also felt pretty useless just sitting on couch day after day, and bored. My wife was huge help to me every waking moment of each day, she was next to me every time I moved and helped me into rear of SUV to travel out...so I owe her big time! And I came through with a piano in Oct for our 25th Wed Ann. I can only hope over the next few weeks you get settled into new house and try not to dwell on the move or how little you can carry things, etc. Your healing is way more important and will result in strong recovery. Get off all med's ASAP and just take some extra strength asprin. I think reason your doctor is not real specific......... truth is it is a little different for all folks who recover from this injury and you can see that from reading these posts alone. All due to your age, how active you were to begin with, your weight, the method of surgery your Dr used, etc. But as everyone has said here.....It does get better. And once you can drive and see progress from PT things will move along in positive direction for you!!! When this happened to me over the summer all we could do was drive by the shore and sit in back of my jeep watching everyone enjoy the beach. Some visits I would get out of back of Jeep and sit on sidewalk with my wife in chair next to me along with our cooler, snacks and book to read. I even rented a wheelchair for a 30 day period to get a little freedom. I felt like the world was passing me by.....but I kept telling myself....this too will pass and I have what I have to deal with, I can't change things. I looked at people who had lifelong problems and who would never get out of a wheelchair and I would tell my friends...."My problem is only temporary...thank God". I hope my note to you has helped somewhat.
We are all wishing you the best....let us know your progress-OK?
Steve in NH
PS....Even with this setback we have a lot to be thankful for. My nephew is currently in Baghdad till April and lost a good friend in his unit on Christmas Day from IED going off while on patrol.

[FINFAN3DP]

Steve,

Thanks for the post dude. I really need to hear stuff like that. I just really want to go back to work, i think that would help so much. The surgery I had sounds like the same as you, with just the drilled holes and sutchers. If i could go back to work in two weeks, and knew I would be going back, i think that would help greatly. I like having a light at the end of the tunnel. One question though, when did he start letting you lift your own leg instead of having someone help you? I know I couldn't do it now, but I think that will be a major help.
Like you, my wife has been awesome... Of course she always has been, that's kinda why I married her. We have been married 16 years, 17 in July 07. We lived together for 3 years prior to being married so I tell her all the time we will have been together almost half my life. She has been great! I only hope there is something I can get her like you got yours (piano), to help repay her. My mother has also been awesome. I think she is sitting with me next week when my wife (kindergarten teacher) has to go back to work now that the x-mas break is over.
You are right, this is only temporary. I think about the pain when I came out of surgery and I was telling people that i wished they had just taken the leg off or that worse I had died, and looking back at that I feel so stupid. It's so much better now. I have two kids, an 8 year old daughter and a 3 year old son and it has been great spending this time with them this week. My daughter is so concerned about me and my son just wants to hang out with me. That is one positive. The negative is they go back to school and daycare next week. My son was born with a rare form of leukemia, AML, which he went through chemo just after being born. He just had his 4 month blood check yesterday and I'm happy to say he's doing great. Helps me realize how trivial my knee really is. My mother took him for his check up, I usually do, and he got up in the chair by himself, stuck his finger out, and told the nurse, let's do this. His strength and pain tollerance is awesome, I wish I had one eighth of it.
Please tell your nephew thank you from the Pucci family in Oneonta,NY.... What he is doing is awesome, and we all owe our freedom to him. My brother is in the Air Force currently stationed in Alaska, and my brother in law is in the 82nd Airborne and did a tour in Iraq. My cousin Peggy is in the National Guard and she also did a tour in Iraq. She stayed in one of Sadam's palaces, and Sadam's mother's room was her office. Again, these people are all heroes in my book, and we all should be thankful for having such brave men and women in the armed forces.

[drunk_again]

Alright, does anyone know anything about the supplement Glucosamine / Chondroitin, and more importantly, does it help the knee recover? I've heard some things, but I want to see if anyone has had any personal benefits from using it. Thanks guys.

Stay positive and keep drinking,

Drunk_again

[Rob N]

Fin Fan:
Yes, the injury and surgical intervention are quite severe - but with patience, perserverance and a bit of good fortune you will get through it and life will be good again - in fact, after your surgeon declares your tendon healed you will be able to strengthen your leg and walk around doing relatively normal things within a few weeks. I'm not saying that it will be comfortable at first, but it will keep improving. Your primary focus now should be on avoiding any falls, eating normal meals (avoid high fat and alcohol until you can burn calories) and your upcoming physio regime to build your range of motion in your leg. The physio regime is crucial and generally you can do the passive exercises at home. Log the exercises, the reps per day that you do, etc. You will later only be able to strengthen your leg to the extent that you have developed range of motion in the post-op period. The staples shouldn't be very uncomfortable coming out (make sure they pull ALL of the stitches - check it twice). Do your best to enjoy the time off. As I mentioned in an earlier reply, Ernie Els (golfer) trashed his knee (ACL) in a boating accident last year and used the time to rejuvenate mentally before returning to the PGA tour. When you get down, try to fast forward in your mind a few months to a point where you will be much improved and mobile. You have to let the world spin by for several months under the control of others and concentrate on your immediate health needs.
I had a very conservative recovery plan since my doc wanted to minimize the chances of a re-rupture. Here are a few of my milestones. It was approx 8 weeks post-op before I walked with 1 crutch and a brace. I started low resistance indoor cycling at about 10 weeks. First walk with a brace and no cane at about 11 weeks. First outdoor road bike ride on flats at about 15 weeks. Returned to work (16 weeks). Started cycling hills at 19 weeks - completed 100mile hilly bike ride at about 26 weeks. etc. I know it sounds hard to believe, but the months will fly by and you will be okay (but you must be careful, diligently do your physio and then work hard training to recover your leg strength). You are the most important part of your recovery.
Rob N (Canada)

[Norbert]

Nick, good to hear that you're recovering well, but after 8 weeks you're going to have some major scar tissue built up. Prepare for some gruelling therapy ahead and don't forget to take your pain pills before you go. You're going to need it.

5 Months post-op and I feel great. I'm far from 100%, but I'm up and about, riding the bike and jumping on the elliptical every chance I can get (got to lose the weight I put on sitting on my ass). I'm doing a lot of leg strength exercises at the gym and trying to stay active. All those months of sitting on my ass and watching tv was unbearable, and I'm glad I have my independence again. My knee has about 110 ROM, but it still aches and is sore. It still kind of bothers me going down steps. But everyday it gets stronger. Everyday.

Hi Guys - hope you all had a good Christmas break!

Drunk - thanks for the advice. I am now in a really positive phase. The fact that you are up and about to the extent you are after 5 months is a great encouragement to me.

My leg feels good with no pain (lucky to have never had much really) but I do know that the really challenging bit is yet to come.

I am a believer that good pain can be borne out with determination, and that is how I will approach the physio. If it hurts, then so what, that shows it must be doing something! You don't know what you can do until you try.

I am now 6 weeks post-op and walking with no crutches (have been since 2 weeks) and the thought of getting the cast off in two weeks and getting started on the rehab. is actually quite exciting.

Having read the comments of you other guys, I seem to have had it better than most of you - I can only hope that it continues to be so.

Cheers and take care

Nick

[dWood]

haven't posted in a while but my progress hasn't stalled yet...started using a sled to pull forwards and backwards-as well as side shuffles with bands(@therapy)..weight room is ok..up to 6 plates(3 45's each side) on leg press for 3 sets of 15 reps...squatted 160lbs X 15 reps the other day(had 405 max x 5reps in july 06)...go on stationary bike everyday for 15-30 minutes...am still having a bit problem with taller stairs going up with left leg(tore both patellar tendons in August & left had some wound issues as well as staph infection)My orthpedic surgeon told me last week he's finished seeing me(unless I run into a problem-but wouldn't mind seeing me at 8 month period to give me my final ok to return to strongman & highland games training)this board was a godsend and if anyone wants to see another fella who will be joining us-go to www.nasgaweb.com..go to messageboard..under general messageboard go to subject" gruesome video" fella is squatting 685lbs and his legs go(my buddy is the gym owner and notified me right away-I fell the same way when I ruptured mine)prettty hairy to see it but the sound was worse brought back that horrible day of Aug 9th...hope everyone has agreat new years!!

[FINFAN3DP]

Rob: 16 weeks? Do you mind if I ask what you do for a living? That's the one thing that is really driving me nuts. I work as a computer guy at a police department and I just don't understand why if i can sit here on the computer why I can't sit there. The depression has been much better today. I'm starting to look forward to rehab. Back in 1994 I weighed 311 and dropped to 225 using just exercise and watching what I ate. Well now I'm at 350 and maybe rehab will get me to start getting into working out again. The only thing that sucks is I really like to run when I work out and I know I probably won't be doing that for a long time, if ever. 100 mile bike ride??? Wow Rob, you must be in some great shape! I've done bunch of 100 milers over the years but that was always on my Yamaha, not my huffy! The Doc has me doing the toe push and pull 10 times an hour and the quad flex 30 times, twice a day. Does this sound familiar? I had the Sutchers/Holes in the kneecap surgery. No hamstring stuff or any screw or plates that I have heard of. When I came out of surgery I don't think the doc was so sure of his work, but he was very, very, very happy about my progress so far. He was impressed when he saw the incision and stated that it was clear of infection and looked great. He also was impressed with how I could already do the quad flex and how I really have been keeping up on the toe push pull stuff.
I'm definetly feeling better. But the new house has me worried as if I lose my job I won't be able to make the payments. My wife and I are actually thinking about losing the $1000 deposit and just staying put and resuming our house search at a later date. We just don't know if the stress of moving and all it entails would be good.
Thank god for this board and great people like you guys to be able to chat with and share experiences.

Fin Fan:
Yes, the injury and surgical intervention are quite severe - but with patience, perserverance and a bit of good fortune you will get through it and life will be good again - in fact, after your surgeon declares your tendon healed you will be able to strengthen your leg and walk around doing relatively normal things within a few weeks. I'm not saying that it will be comfortable at first, but it will keep improving. Your primary focus now should be on avoiding any falls, eating normal meals (avoid high fat and alcohol until you can burn calories) and your upcoming physio regime to build your range of motion in your leg. The physio regime is crucial and generally you can do the passive exercises at home. Log the exercises, the reps per day that you do, etc. You will later only be able to strengthen your leg to the extent that you have developed range of motion in the post-op period. The staples shouldn't be very uncomfortable coming out (make sure they pull ALL of the stitches - check it twice). Do your best to enjoy the time off. As I mentioned in an earlier reply, Ernie Els (golfer) trashed his knee (ACL) in a boating accident last year and used the time to rejuvenate mentally before returning to the PGA tour. When you get down, try to fast forward in your mind a few months to a point where you will be much improved and mobile. You have to let the world spin by for several months under the control of others and concentrate on your immediate health needs.
I had a very conservative recovery plan since my doc wanted to minimize the chances of a re-rupture. Here are a few of my milestones. It was approx 8 weeks post-op before I walked with 1 crutch and a brace. I started low resistance indoor cycling at about 10 weeks. First walk with a brace and no cane at about 11 weeks. First outdoor road bike ride on flats at about 15 weeks. Returned to work (16 weeks). Started cycling hills at 19 weeks - completed 100mile hilly bike ride at about 26 weeks. etc. I know it sounds hard to believe, but the months will fly by and you will be okay (but you must be careful, diligently do your physio and then work hard training to recover your leg strength). You are the most important part of your recovery.
Rob N (Canada)