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Patellar Fracture ORIF surgery recovery advice

Posted , 4 users are following.

brose361
brose361

Hello:

So thankful I finally found this site as I have been struggling with the recovery process and people understanding. I have experienced being told many times from a knee replacement patient "when I was at 3 mos this is what I could do". I simply inform them they were bent the day after surgery. I was only bent 20 mins 2x's per day for 8 weeks. Plus I have fibromyalgia. Anyway . . .

I had a displaced patellar fracture from a bad fall on 1/29 basically splitting my knee cap in half in to 2 pieces. It was closed. I had the ORIF surgery on 2/4 and have 2 screws and the wires - no plate. My pain was not controlled prior to surgery and while I was to be a 23 hour stay after surgery I ended up being in the hospital for 3 days because they couldn't get my pain under control. Following the hospital I went to inpatient rehab for 1 week where I learned how to walk better (used the walker and crutches), how to dress myself, and how to use the leg lifter as I couldn't lift my leg on my own. Upon going home I had in-home PT 3x's per week and I then transferred over to outpatient rehab 3x's per week since the middle of March where I have remained having PT 3x's per week.

I was in a full leg brace with hinges for 8 weeks. I was kept at 0 extension when walking and was permitted to unlock the brace to 30 - 60- or 90 (dr. unlocked further each time I saw him) flexion when I wasn't standing or walking. Due to the 0 extension for so long it led to much difficulty with getting good flexion. As soon as the brace came off I no longer used crutches or the walker.

So that's my basic story. Fast forward to now. My doctor is thrilled with the healing and says I don't need any more x-rays. No arthritis. I am continuing to use a cane only outside of the house. Stairs going up are tiring and at times painful. Stairs going down are tough and I hear clicking or crackling. Pretty consistent pain on the lower portion of my knee especially when standing. The stiffness causes the pain. My PT thinks this is patellar tendon based although there was no damage to any ligaments or tendons. Some of this results in compensation which causes other problems. At times I'm still having pain when walking and rainy days are really difficult pain wise. Despite the months of PT I am still only in the 90's flexion wise.

In addition the head of the screw is protruding so you can actually see what looks like a little outward button on the side of my knee. It hasn't come through the skin thankfully.

So the doctor has agreed and believes that a MUA is a good idea at this point and he will do something about the screw as well/at the same time as the MUA. I am nervous and wondering if I'm making the right decision to proceed. I have heard it is very painful and sets a person back. He told me I'll need the crutches again after the procedure. I have read that some doctors keep a patient overnight for control of pain but my doctor doesn't think that is needed and I'm concerned about that too. I don't know if the intent is to remove the hardware completely or what the story is with that. So I have been writing back and forth to the doctor thru a portal they have to find out more. In addition thoughts on use of the CPM after the procedure? Doctor claims no need.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advanced for someone who understands and wants to be understood to.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • jenny25655
    jenny25655 brose361

    Posted

    Hi although I have not been through what you have experienced I did have total knee replacement surgery in November last year. I know the pain associated with knee surgery. My operated leg when completely straight was so unbearably painful. The surgeon requested that my leg be put onto CPM, and it was the best thing for pain. I was actually able to sleep even though my knee was slowly moving in the CPM. Worth trying.

    Good luck with your recovery.

    This group is amazing. It helped me so much. Keep in touch.

  • martha08360
    martha08360 brose361

    Posted

    I had a manipulation under anesthesia MUA, at 5 months post op and you are asleep, so it isn't painful. The pain afterward was minimal, as they also did a scope surgery to clean out scar tissue. If your doc hasn't mentioned opening up or doing a scope, I don't see how they can do anything about a screw?!?!?

  • brose361
    brose361

    Posted

    Thank you for the support and feedback. The doctor told me that he might do the scope to remove scar tissue if needed. The screw/screw head would be removed via a small incision. I don't know if it would be the head or the whole thing. I am waiting to find out.

    Was your MUA due to getting flexion? Did you have a patellar fracture?

    Good to hear of minimal pain. If I might ask do you have a high pain tolerance and/or other medical complicating factors? No worries if you don't want to ask.

    Thank you again for help.

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