Lookie here! Five years already since that fateful day. This is the first year that I haven't had that feeling of anxiety and dread when the anniversary comes around.
The best news is that my plantar fasciitis is under control. Last summer my left foot was on the mend and then the plantar on my right started bothering me. I couldn't believe how I battled first the left, and then the right foot for almost three years! Having plantar fasciitis definitely put limits on how much walking I could do. I still believe that my knee problems had something to do with it, but maybe not.
In the year since I last wrote I have had only one flare up on my knee. I went on vacation and was standing and walking for like 10 hours a day. After four days of this my knee swelled up and I had trouble walking. Since I was on vacation I had to resort to the RICE method, which means rest, ice, compression and elevation. I went to the store, got a knee compression sleeve, got an ice bag, bought a folding stool, and elevated my knee as much as possible. Of yes, I don't want to forget the Advil. (To me, Advil (ibuprofen) has always been the best with knee pain ). After a few days of RICE treatment everything returned to normal. Truth be told, I was in a panic when it happened but things worked out well. So don't panic if you have a flare up after a drastic increase in activity. Listen to your body!
I've been doing a lot of walking now that my plantar fasciitis is better so I went out and got a Fitbit. My goal is to walk 5 miles a day and I've been on target almost everyday. It helps to be retired. Before my accident I really enjoyed walking, and I still do, so an I thrilled to be able to get out in the fresh air so much.
After 5 years, I feel great. I hope everyone has faith that they will come through this. I know we are all different, but I want everyone out there to know that you will have good days and a few bad days but there is life after TPF.
Best wishes for a healthy and happy healing, friends!
That's Great news Patty! im walking well now, but knee hurts when I walk for extended periods, I feel ligaments are very weak, im not sure if they were totally cut, or somehow they repair them? or the muscles take over.
ReplyDeleteJust found this site and similarly my dog ran into my knee and leg causing a tibia break. Thank you for the postings! Gives me hope in recovery too.
ReplyDeleteI have just seen this site and have read through some of your blogs i had surgery on a depressed lateral tibial plateau 7 weeks ago so still early in recovery i did mine playing football...the surgeon was completely shocked to find this out...im still not allowed to bare any weight and i started physio a couple of days ago. The thing im really struggling with is not being able to straighten my leg im 25° away from being fully straight but every time i try and push my knee down the pain is unbareable....any advice on how i can get it straighter? Thanks for the posts!
ReplyDeleteHi Carlie, I'm just finishing my TPF recovery (Left leg, lateral shatzker 2 on 4th July) and am running again now, averaging 80 miles per month from January 2016 having been a keen runner before. When I first started running again I couldn't straighten my leg fully and ran with a limp, using my tiptoes on the front foot of the bad leg to make up the effective shortness of the leg during stride pattern. After a while though, as you use the leg more and build up muscle it starts to straighten itself. The key to success is following the advice of the physio who will show you various exercises to build mucscle power, stretch and lengthen the relevant tendons or ligaments. When the muscles around the knee get their strength back they naturally tend to straighten out. However it takes time and is not worth going too fast as you might stretch something too far and delay your recovery. On one run I did just that, trying to recreate my previous stride pattern and it caused problems in the hamstring leading to a layoff from walking for a few days. In summary, don't panic, it comes back but be patient.
DeleteCheers,
John
Thanks john my leg still isnt straight but its loads straighter than it was its now 9° off being straight i might have to have 2nd op in june and have hwr but im walking fwb with no crutches so doing loads better. However im never allowed to play football again 😟
DeletePatty - forgive me for just jumping in but why plantar fasciitis on both feet? I had a level 5 TPF 2 years ago and I'm now losing the feeling in half my foot and my little toes. It's depressing. Thanks! Lori
ReplyDeleteThanks this hit home, my name is Patty also 58 years old. My TPF occurred may 18, 2016. Should become weight bearing this wend. Unfortunately my ROM is only 68. Getting scarred.
ReplyDeleteHello Patti,
ReplyDeleteNice of you to keep a blog for 5 years.
Great incite.
My 80 year old mom fell broke her Tibial Pleau & Fibulia had cadaver bone with pins, screws & plates. She is 90 days post-op leaving her skilled care facility tomorrow to go home and panicking.
She is not 25-50% weight bearing. But her knee is staying inflamed and sore. My brother and I are conserned and have called dr. But the therapist at the skilled care seem to act like the inclination is normal. Can you or anyone else shed some light on if you have continued having inflimation that long?
Thanks,
Terri
This is a serious injury and yes, inflammation/pain will continue for most of the first year. TBF come in 6 types: 6 being most serious. The method of injury is also key: low impact injury perhaps indicating other complications such as osteoarthritis impacting her ability to recover vs high impact/strong bones to start.
DeleteAt her age and depending on her previous activity/health she will need a lot of support at least the first year.
My story:
ReplyDeleteJan 2015: Diagnosed with end stage patellofemoral both knees, left knee gave out. Off work 4 months to walk again.
Dec 2015: Two dogs hit me at the off leash dog park on Oct 29, 2015. High velocity, concussion, loss of consciousness, TB fractures type V of VI. Surgery Oct 29 two plates 8 pins. 54 when it happened.
Off work 5 months
This experience in one word: Painful
Six weeks NWB in wheelchair, then 4-legged walker, then 2 crutches, then 1, then cane by Jan 2016 to finally drive and start physio.
Added private, modified Pilates one-on-one Feb 28 2016. Best decision ever. Costly but worth every penny. Gradually worked up walking to 6000 steps by March 2016. 8000 steps by Dec 2016 and almost daily gym and swim for core and cardio now.
One Year After TBF: Stiffness and limping anytime I am in one position for >1 hr or so (sleeping, sitting, standing).
I still cannot take stairs: working on building up glute, quad and core strength. Patellofemoral complication.
Trying to build my endurance -- I can do 45 minutes standing or sitting maybe and I am slow to walk -- working on weight loss as well (not obese but am overweight) -- any suggestions on building endurance?
Also any pain remedies that work for you? I've been on tramacet, naproxin, advil, etc but I find daily exercise and rest/RICE better than anything. When I overdo it I must lie flat and rest. Getting better at bouncing back.
I will need knee replacements both knees but first building my fitness and working on correcting my longstanding maltracking issues through rehab and education re: mind/body connection. Takes time and patience and perseverence. I am not giving up!
Hi sorry to but in on you all. I was beginning to think this trivial plateau fracture was ok till I started reading I fell early 17 probably about 6 months ago and thought I'd just bruised my knee and carried on as normal but with a support but as the months got on it still ached and on bike it hurt afterwards so this September I decided to get it checked out only to find I'd fractured my knee. I have an appointment on the 29th at fracture clinic. Though I am still walking on it not to sure wether I should be
ReplyDelete