Knee manipulation after femur fracture
Posted , 3 users are following.
i broke my femur right above my knee March 2016. Had surgery, with 3 screws inserted,then CPM 8 hrs a day for a month plus NWB for 3 months along with a hinged brace when up. Had P.T. thruout the 3 months. Naturally with my limitations my knee stiffened. When I left the hospital, flexion was 45 degrees on CPM. By 8 weeks I was up to 65-70 with therapy. Doc said if I wasn't to 90 by 10 weeks, he wanted to do manipulation. Worked hard with therapy and at next visit was at 100-105, but doc still wanted to do it. I was very nervous about that considering I was not full wt bearing yet and prob not healed as he said there was a "small chance" he could break it during manipulation. I decided after talking with my therapist not to do it. With hard work my flexion increased to almost 120, then after beginning FWB at 12 weeks, I had persistent pain with walking to the inside of my knee. Doc said I had an MCL tear also which he told me at 10 weeks when I complained of pain there with flexion. He decided maybe my bottom pin was irritating my MCL which X-ray confirmed. He decided to take it out so at 14 weeks I went back to surgery and had it removed. He told me he was going to manipulate it while I was under , that it would help with my flexion with therapy. So here I am, two days post-op with another incision and a very, very sore, swollen thigh and knee. Has anyone ever had this type scenario and will my flexion be better if my quad muscles ever get back to normal? I'm getting frustrated!
0 likes, 4 replies
rbleegrip lou62455
Posted
lou62455 rbleegrip
Posted
Thanks for the encouragement! I need to get back to work but I'm a nurse so I need my legs to work if you know what I mean- no slackers in that profession! I will have a whole new prospective for my ortho pts. for sure!
Oldfatguy1 lou62455
Posted
I can have fullest empathy for you. Jan 2013 I had a revision .....the next day I fell an had a torque break of the femur. Next day a plate was inserted from hip to knee. 4 screws all the way through the femur and 4 in the knee. It was supposed to be mine for life. I rehab well and 6 or 7 months later the screws started to irritate the acl and had to be removed. One month later staph and reopening the knee, 8 weeks of antibiotic infusion 10 months of " high doseage oral antibiotics than the staph returned. This time the prosthesis was removed, leg immobilized, 8 more weeks of infusion, 4 months of immobilization without toe touch weight learning then reintroduction to prosthesis. One year " later still rehabing . bend 117/0. Much better 4th as n the surgeon had hoped for. Leg week but getting stronger.
lou62455 Oldfatguy1
Posted
wow, I have nothing on you!?? I have taken care of pts. With your same story. You sound like you have a good attitude about it which is good. ?? I am so ready for it to be done! The stiffness drives me crazy, but I think the MCL tear is what's hindering my walking without pain. I have a great therapist which helps. Thanks for sharing!