But on a more positive note, I can say that my leg has healed up about 90-95%. I still get swelling if I neglect to do my leg exercises. My main problem this past year is my 14 months of plantar fasciitis. I believe this is directly related to my broken leg. I have tried every remedy but have not had much success. I hope I can put this behind me so I can be more active. I do love walking but don't do it so much anymore because it will aggravate the heal pain. Other than that, life has returned to normal.
If I can give you guys any advice, that is to please do what you can to maintain your leg strength. I have found using a stationary bike to be the best thing I can do for myself. If you can't do that, then do lots of leg lifts and keep all the muscles in the leg strong. It really does make a difference in your pain level, swelling, and your stamina.
I also encourage you to be positive as much as you can. Don't be embarrassed by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. It happens to all of us. You have had a setback and often you feel all alone. But you are not alone. Unfortunately, many others are in the same boat as you and have come out victorious on the other side. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes work. But you can have your life back again.
I'll get off my soapbox now. I have such compassion for people that are going through what I went through. You will get there! Stay strong.
Patty
May 21, 2013
Third year anniversary
Hi Patty.
ReplyDeleteYou are very strong!
Thanks for taking the time and trouble to do your blog - It will help me stay focussed on what I need to do myself!
I foolishly ran in to the sea off the sandy beach in Orihuela where I have a holiday home. I didnt see the rock pools under the waves and there it was - the life changing moment!!
At least you have given me hope and some light at the end of the tunnel xx Richard
It is my three year anniversary also I have a lot of screws and the big plate just like you do with a huge zipper that goes down my thigh to my leg and it swells up all the time especially when I walk I'm sick and tired of it I like want to have the hardware taken out but I don't have insurance it's really kind of an issue
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DeleteHello Patty,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on making 3 years! I was also taken out by a dog. I was alone, but thankfully, I had a cell phone. I am in my 6th week and I did not have to have surgery. I hope to be able to do some PWB starting on June 6th and I will be very happy. Like you, I am in my 50s. Thanks again for sharing!!
Teresa
Hi Patty and thanks for sharing your story. I am 7 weeks post op and PWB for 1 week. I was riding a motorbike and a pedestrian stepped out causing me to swerve and the bike to crash onto my knee. A moment. It's good to know I am not alone but it feels like a mountain to climb at the moment (especially on seeing how small my calf was at clinic last week!). I too am in my 50s and your blog was just the encouragement I needed. Best wishes to you, Anne.
ReplyDeleteHi patty. I just stumble across your story and it haiven me new courage . I broke my leg 5 months ago in a car accident. I am still in a wheelchair but dab a bit on a walker. My surgeon released me saying that this is as good as i will ever be. That i will never walk again unaided. I refuse to accept this. I think with hard work i will prove hin wrong. Thank you for your story
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I didn't respond to your comments, but I wasn't sure how to do it! Embarrassed...
ReplyDeleteRichard--Hope you healing well. I will never forget my life changing moment. Truly, that is what it is. And there is a light at the end of the tunnel so stay strong.
Teresa--It's amazing how many of us have been taken out by dogs. The good part about that is that our breaks are usually don't as bad as those who had their break by car accidents, etc. Not that this is an easy injury in any case. Glad you didn't need surgery. Be sure to take good care of yourself.
Anne--I took a video of my first attempts at walking when I was able to walk again--my bad leg looks like a toothpick! It takes a long time to get all that muscle back. Especially at our age. Eat lots of spinach and red meat (unless you are vegan). Good luck!
Mary--Don't ever let the doctor's comments get you down. I'm not sure why they would be so discouraging. You can far exceed your doctor's expectations by hard work and perseverance! Keep a positive attitude and do your PT! Best of luck!
Hi Patty,
ReplyDeleteI was hit by a car while riding my bike causing my TPF. My surgery was on Feb 11, similar to yours a plate and 8 screws.. I am walking but feeling discourage with the pain. I have PT three times a week. My bend is at about 135.. I know I am doing good but this pain is wearing, plus I'm not sure why there is so much pain....It's encouraging to read your story! Thanks for sharing..
Chana
Hi Chana,
ReplyDeleteOuch, getting hit by a car is horrible! I feel so bad for you. The good news is your bend is 135! The bad news is your pain. My only advice is to try to strengthen your leg as much as you can. You are still early in building back your leg so keep up the exercises as best you can. You might want to talk to your doctor, too, to see if he/she can control your pain so you are more comfortable. Good luck with your healing and stay positive!
Patty
I fell off my push bike in Decrmber 2003. TPF in two places, no surgery, no physio. I was 36. Had lots of problems since. Lucky enough to have Cartlige Transplant which was good for about 3 years but not as good as I would have hoped. Now have arthritis and internal swelling, so unable to exercise as much as I would like. Cycling is the best. Awaiting another operation this year to clean out any excess Cartlige.
ReplyDeleteHi Patty and all,
ReplyDeleteI also want to thank you for posting results. I've gotten some helpful, encouraging ideas! I had to laugh when I first read your blog because my son's dog nailed me in the left knee too! I have a plate and seven screws that my surgeon says to keep, but I'm not so sure. I read you had yours removed. My knee never had much pain thankfully, but now, 8 months out, it is still stiff. Surgeon said hardware isn't doing anything at this point, so why not get it out?! How did your recovery from that go Patty? He said one month, I sure don't want to be off my quads again and let them atrophy! Good luck all, and THANKS for the blog! Dianna
I also wanted to ask how your plantar fasciitis is healing. Thanks for mentioning it because my foot always hurt more than my knee! So because of your blog I made an appt with the podiatrist. I got great shoes, orthotic sole, and now use a night splint. The night splint did the trick, and it almost all went away. You can get them online for $40 so when you wake up you can actually step down! Now the outside heel is hurting, so making another appt...
Hey Patty...
ReplyDeleteI'm about a year and a half out and feeling about 90-95% better. I've found that for the plantar fasciitis, deep tissue massage on my calves makes a HUGE difference. The muscles in my legs are so tight from everything that the massage really helps loosen things up, even when I neglect the exercising. Even just rolling on a foam roller (found at sports stores) makes me feel better when I can't afford the massage. Thanks for writing about your experience, it really is comforting to know I'm not alone!
Marissa
Ali--sorry to hear about your accident. 2003 means you are almost 10 years out! I have heard about cartilage transplants and I'm hoping they will perfect this in the future. It sure can help a lot of people. I'm so sorry to hear about your complications. I agree, cycling is the best for me at keeping my leg strong. Take care and let us know how you are doing!!
ReplyDeletePatty
Hi Dianna,
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing--we could be TPF twins! Who know dogs could do this to you! I'm glad you aren't in too much pain. My surgeon also told me that my hardware did its job and I could have it out. It wasn't a bad deal taking it out. You get to walk on your right right away. I think I used the cane to help for a few days and then pretty much walked on it. I have an entry about my hardware removal in this blog if you can find it. I think it was October, 2011 when I had it done. Good luck with your healing with your plantar! I'm going to write about my problems with that next!
Patty
Hi Marissa!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are 90+% back! My OS said that I would be about 95% but some days I feel like 98%! I'm glad you found relief with the foam roller! I am a BIG fan of the foam roller!! It helps me a lot keeping my muscles loose! I've been meaning to write a update on foam rollers, too. Thanks for inspiring me! Take good care of yourself and keep in touch!
Patty
Hi, I broke my Tib-Plat, 1st jan 2012, started walking again April 2013, took me ages, i'm walking now, can't run yet, I am having the hardware out in october, feeling nervous about it, but I am hoping this might help the pain i have, i can feel the metal in my leg.
ReplyDeleteHi Patty,
ReplyDeleteIt's very helpful being able to read about your experiences. I broke my Tibial Plateau in my left knee about 8 months ago. I was hit by a car while crossing the street (and on a green light too!), and I am still on the long and winding road to recovery. I also find that bicycling is a very good for gaining and keeping leg muscles as well as walking in a pool and using an elliptical cross trainer in the gym that sort of simulates running but without the impact to the knee. I also set up a site about tibial plateau fractures. I find that writing down what I learned from my experiences helps me, and seems to be helpful for other people reading the information.
Shlomi
Hi Patty
ReplyDeleteI broke my TP on Aug 10th. I got caught up in a rugby tackle (I was a spectator) and was taken out by 3 17 yr old boys. I had surgery on Aug 21st, a plate & 6 pins. I'm starting the long recovery road with physio & rehab. I'm in pain most of the time & would love to have all the metal removed at some point but my surgeon says it has to stay in. I can feel it inside my leg and it's so uncomfortable. Reading your blog & others comments has helped me so much. Thank you. Lisa
Hi Lisa, I had my Metal work out in October 2013, and it is the best feeling ever!, you should wait a year before thinking about taking it out, When I originally asked my Surgeon about removal, he said, no that stays in for life... little did he realise I do not take no for an answer, so I was back there a year later and with my reasons why I thought it should be taken out, he agreed and I awaited surgery, obviously its going to be painful again, and crutches for a week or so, but the recovery compared to the original break is rapid, its been 3 half months since I have taken it out, and I’m walking really fast, balance is starting to get good, and the muscles are really starting to get stronger, where they were hampered before by the metal work, and dare i say it, I’m getting the urge to jog a little :D
DeleteDo not be disheartened about your surgeon saying it has to stay in, you can prove them wrong, if you put your mind to it, I also could feel the metal in my Knee, and this hampered my joint movement and muscles, so bide your time for now, and rest, and get stronger.
God’s Speed in your recovery!
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