- This topic is empty.
- Topic
I am a Belgian woman of 58 and was happy when I found your website a couple of months ago.
My surgeon lacks time to inform me well and did not tell me what to expect after the accident.
Hope anyone can give me advice, for I am desperate and depressed.I was ran over with my bike 3rd December 2013. Result: a tibial plateaufracture on the left, Schatzker II and a knee “like a bag of nuts” according to the surgeon.
I was operated on the next day and a pin was placed.
After 8 weeks of resting, I started walking with a walking aid or crutches. Since early March with 1 crutch only.
I have had physiotherapy since the day following the operation, 3 weekly sessions until the end of May. I did/do daily exercises, also cycle 2-4 kms on my hometrainer.
For 2 months – April and May – I hardly made any progress. After every physiotheray session, I can bend my knee and walk normally, although still slowly. However, 30-60 minutes later my knee is stiff again. Either every left bent/normal step I do is painfull or I walk with a stiff leg (most of the time) which then results in a painfull right knee, hip and lower backpain from the imbalance.
According to my physiotherapist I have a tendinosis patello tendon. My knee tendon has weakened that much, that after every session it goes back into its stiff position.
My family physician consulted the surgeon and they decided I would benefit from hydrotherapy. So since early June I have 3 hydrotherapy sessions on top of the 2 regular physiotherapy sessions a week. It is the same story: in the water I can move rather well and painfree, once out of the pool I can walk normally but only for 30-60 minutes.
This is extremely discouraging, and I am afraid I will never be able to walk normally again.
Also, since the accident I have not had one painfree day, which wears me down. I experience 2 kinds of pain. What I call “tension pain”: the more active my day, the earlier my knee swells and the pin pushes under the skin. And inflammation pain, when my knee feels warm.
I stopped painkillers a few days after the operation, for they have secondary effects and I want to “know what my body tells me”. Was twice on anti-inflammation meds for 10 days, the last time in May without any improvement.
Apart from the conventional therapy I also have holistic treatments: shiatsu massages every other week; regularly ginger, cabbage and tofu packs; daily omega 3 and glucosamine/chondroitine.
Since a week I now take a homeopathic anti-inflammation drug: pyrogenium. And I apply 3-4 ice frictions daily followed by an anti-inflammatory ointment.For 7 months now I have invested so much time, energy and money and I am still disabled.
Can’t walk normally, do stairs and sit on my knees. To walk 50-100 metres I still use 1 crutch for support and extra safety. And then the pain.
The surgeon told me from the beginning I would never be able to run again (which already was/is hard to deal with), but I am afraid I may be worse off eventually.
The pin has to be removed the end of this year, and according to surgeon, family doctor and physiotherapists this should improve my flexbility. Is this true?I have always been in good health and full of energy, lead a very active life with a lot of physical activities, looked 5-10 years younger. The longest time I did not need a doctor was 4 years. Because I have invested in my health since my early twenties. I only eat organic, vegetarian food. I attended ballet classes until my early fifties, since then I practise yoga.
Have always been so grateful and happy with my good health, which now has been robbed by an unsafe driver 100% at fault, who by the way never contacted me.
And on top of the physical trauma I have to deal with a lot of paperwork for the insurance company and law suit.