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8 weeks after Patella Fracture: Too soon to Run or Squat?

Posted , 9 users are following.

Garet
Garet

I'm an athletic 47 year-old male. I had a lateral non-displaced fratured patella 8 weeks ago. 

Been doing some PT exercises, but my leg is still weak, the knee is still a bit swollen, and my ROM is only about 120 degrees.  I've gotten different advice from two doctors. One said not to do weightbearing exercises with a bent knee to strenghten my quads, and the other doctor said I should do it. One doctor said i can begin jogging, another doctor said I shouldn't.

Although I still have some pain, is it okay to do some light jogging or at squats with very light weight?  Would love to hear from someone who's recovered/recovering from patella fracture.

 

2 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • shari_48634
    shari_48634 Garet

    Posted

    I was told no more running and squatting. I could ride a bike or walk and I still can't do either yet. I'm 16 weeks out.

    • Garet
      Garet shari_48634

      Posted

      Hi, you couldn't run or squat 16 weeks out? Did the doctor tell you when you could do that?

      I didn't need surgery for my fracture because it was a non displaced fracture. Not sure about the appropriate rehab because I've already gotten different advice from different doctors.

  • Mkhp
    Mkhp Garet

    Posted

    Yea, no more running, walking and stationary bike the best. Got to get those quads strong though. Maybe some leg raises in bed with a few pounds around the ankle.  I learned the hard way, Amazing how fast our muscles go to atrophy , do your best you'll get there, but don't over do, best of healing to you, kathy

  • ihavenonickname
    ihavenonickname Garet

    Posted

    Garet,

    I have no M.D....but I have a very strong opinion on rhis...

    8 weeks out and you want to what???

    You can't even full flex the knee so you are thinking if taking your mighty fine chiseled body and jamming it to squat and forcing the knee to flex!!!???

    So your 47 year old leg is weak and you think running, pounding the pavement, magnifying the force of your weight impacting your knee would be a good thing!!!???

    Are you catching my point?

    Okay,....yes weight bearing is a good thing...weight bearing as in wearing great, supportive, athletic shoes and walking on flat, level, ground that absorbs shock....not on cement.

    Good, protective weight bearing is also sitting in a straight back chair with an 8 ounce weight band around your ankle doing full leg lifts...can you do 25 real slow, up and down?

    Perhaps a neoprene knee compression sleeve...it is specifically made to cradle to patella, knee cap. One should be available from the pharmacy. You will need to measure the circumference of your knee in order to determine the correct size.

    It is best to elevate your knee above your heart while placing a frozen gel ice pack beneath the knee as well as on top of the knee for an hour while you read, telly, chat, knit or whatever.

    Then extend your leg straight up into the air and hold it up for 30 seconds. Now slip the sleeve on. Be sure to properly allow the sleeve to cradle your patella, the knee cap. Flex your knee a couple of times to ensure that your patella is able to properly glide without impingment.

    In about another hour you should have much less discomfort and pain. You may sleep in the sleeve. You may walk in the sleeve. You may do the leg lifts in the sleeve.

    You will be pleasantly surprised at how much easier walking and range of motion exercises will become because the swelling will come way down.

    Patience will get you where you ultimately want to go. I have fully recovered from so much worse. You have great determination, great mind over matter...this is just too soon to kick things into high action.

    Kind regards

    Judith

    • Garet
      Garet ihavenonickname

      Posted

      Thank you for your candid advice.

      I will definitly lay off running or squats for awhile.  When I eventually do start, it would only be very gradual.

      I have been doing range of motion exercises and leg ligts as you recommend.  Two days ago, I lay on my stomach and tried to pull my heel toward my butt. I think I overdid it because I used my arm to pull my leg toward my butt beyond what i can do without pulling my leg.  Now it's been very sore for the last 2 days.  I guess I shouldn't do that.

      So, tell me if this sounds correct? For now, I should only do

      1) range of motion exercises, (without pulling my leg to get more ROM) 

      2) walking,

      3) weight bearing exercises with a straight leg only (such as leg lifts with ankle weights)

      Thank you

    • ihavenonickname
      ihavenonickname Garet

      Posted

      Hi Garet

      Yes, sounds very good...don't forget to speak with your physician candidly...he may not realize that you are a dedicated athlete who has to be held back a bit so tha you heal well.

      When you lay on your stomach, you could do rigid knee leg lifts.

      You can safely do butt squeezes too.

      As to flexing the knee while on your stomach, yes but do not pull on it.

      All of this exercise you do means that your bones are strong because you stress the bones. In the long run, this will pay off in full healing.

      kind regards

  • dave63380
    dave63380 Garet

    Posted

    Hey garet, fractured patella with knee replacement surgery, vertical fracture during surgery so the doc put a screw in it. Made me wait 6 weeks to do any serious PT. Think you might want to wait a little longer than 8 weeks. And start gradually, as in not running yet and easy on the squats. Good luck.
    • Garet
      Garet dave63380

      Posted

      Do you think half lunges are okay?  The only squats I tried were body-weight squats, and I didn't go down too far.  Still think it's early to try that?

      The problem is my doctors gave me different advice.  One doctor even told me I could do quad extensions on the machine using 5-10 kg.

      So at this point (8 weeks), all weight bearing exercises other than walking) should be done with a straight leg? Such as leg lifts with ankle weights?

      Thank you

  • zairabrilhante
    zairabrilhante Garet

    Posted

    Hi Garet, I was wondering if you've any updates?

    I'm going through something similar and really keen to get back into training asap, but my muscles have lost considerable strength.

    I've fractured my patella on 5/3 (tripped & fell whilst running). I was training for a marathon, so my fitness level at the time was as good as it had ever been.

    I was immobilised for 6 weeks and am now on my 4th week of flex braces (currently 80 degrees) due to come off it on 22/5.

    Been doing basic physio exercises but it would be great to know from someone who went through something similar how long til I am likely to get back running.

    Thank you so much!

    Z

    • Garet
      Garet zairabrilhante

      Posted

      Hi

      I'm now at 7 1/2 months. The good news is that I'm able to walk fine and do many exercises. I even played tennis for the first time since my injury.  Unfortunately I still can't run or squat without pain. The doctor told me it was because my leg muscles are still wealk. I have been doing leg exercises and using stationary bike and elliptical machine, which have made my leg somewhat stronger, but they don't really build the muscle much. I want to do squats to get the muscle and strength back, but my knee always hurts for days after so I'm still staying away from that.

      Unfortunately it takes a long time to get the muscle back. I'm 48 years old, and I started a little too late after the injury, so hopefully you have faster results than I did.  Anyway, my goal is to be back to full activity (including running and squatting) at 10-12 months.  

      Good luck

    • Shyt_happens
      Shyt_happens Garet

      Posted

      So there’s hope out there after all.  Glad your doing better.  This is my first rodeo! Fractured my Patella last month 10/4/17 had surgery 10/6/17 Brace for 4 wks the following week I started pt.  Had 7 appt and I’m at 80 rom but it really get tight feeling like the knee is gonna bust lol.  Did u experience a tight feeling and limited range ? Any help is thankful. 
  • kathy17191
    kathy17191 Garet

    Posted

    Hi!

    Anybody on the Internet LOL broken the same knee cap twice in a year? I don't know what to expect now that I have had to go through this a second time.

    Last February due to some neuropathy brought on by a back fusion, I was walking and my foot wasn't there but my knee was. I had a Displaced fracture that was fixed surgically.In August I had to get screws and wire removed due to irritation and the screws backing out of the bone. I was starting to walk almost normal. The Zombie Walk was gone where I drag my leg the penguin walk was just about done. Then I even went to the gym twice very very gentle exercise my insurance never paid for physical therapy so I had to wing it on my own from information I got from all you guys!

    Then I was walking late November and my foot wasn't there again and it broke straight across instead of pieces this time. I am 46 and well overweight. Because of the back fusion I'm in the wheelchair most the time period gained way too much weight during the first round and I'm starving myself to try to lose some of it wheelchair-bound this time. Unfortunately my father had a stroke and fell while I was in surgery for my knee he is now in hospice care and I just want to be able to go see him. With my leg straight out I cannot drive or get over to him or up the steps to his house. Just wondering when I might be able to walk again. Zombie Walk penguin walk I don't care any ideas guys? Thanks for listening!

    Kathy

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