Johnny's Tibial Plateau Fracture
I broke my knee (tibial plateau fracture) at Kung Fu one sunny Saturday morning thus beginning a story I could never have written in my wildest nightmares. (Ok, so maybe...)
I stepped hard with my right leg and heard a loud *SNAP* along with a sound like a sheet tearing - and I was down. My knee hurt bad but after a minute or so I was able to move my leg. I felt "something" rubbing and clicking in the knee when I bent it, thinking perhaps I popped my knee out of it's socket. (??) After 15 minutes of ice my knee felt "ok" so I was helped up to stand but could not take any weight on my right leg without incredible pain.
Driving home and putting my leg up was my only thought. Since it was my right knee I figured I'd drive and brake with my left foot - no problem, right? Friends strongly encouraged me to go to the ER and have it looked at. After arguing that I was fine, the majority ruled. Thank God for democracy! Each bump in the road and the resulting pain caused by it then made me wonder if it was more than a slight injury. I have an extremely high pain tolerance and this injury was cutting through it kind of quick.
Now, fast forward through hospital #1: finally get into a bed after they realize I've trashed my leg, wait overnight to have an ortho surgeon tell me that "he can't operate on it, it's too severe, we're going to have to transfer you".
So I invoked the "phone a friend" clause. The hospital they were going to transfer me to wasn't much higher on the layman's rating scale and I had enough sense to terminate that transfer immediately! My friend works for the doctor ALL the doctors at a major medical university report to - she called him and the wheels were in motion.
An ambulance was dispatched from the university hospital to pick me up, I was taken from ambulance directly to my room, and I was seen by the senior surgeon her boss called on a Sunday within the hour. Operation scheduled for the next day after x-rays taken again. (Now we're cookin'!)
My leg was trashed. They kept asking if I was in an auto or motorcycle wreck. Apparently the fracture split off part of the bone, left fragments everywhere - the surgeon said it was like "corn flakes" between the fragments they had to clean out before final assembly.
The operation was over 4 hours. Part of the bone split off, the bottom of the knee was split, trashed, etc (sorry - have to insert your own medical jargon here).
The repair required bone grafts, titanium plate, and 10 screws. Zero weight bearing for 3 months, bearing up to full weight bearing after 6, with a lot of physical therapy visits.
Remember I said I had a high pain tolerance? Well, I have a pain medication immunity to report as well. Morpheine was like getting water pumped in my veins - it did nothing. That's not the best place to find yourself in when you have that much pain. I mean pain.
It's 7 MONTHS later and I'm fortunate to be walking on two legs. What do I attribute this to? Fortune and blessings, specifically:
- A top notch surgeon performing the operation
- A surgeon who explained everything to me and made sure everything was perfect
- A friend that helped me get to that surgeon
- A personal will and spirit that would not break
- Staying in shape (I'm 45 years old...)
- A family that helped care for me
- Physical Therapists who pushed me hard! (They are NOT Physical "Terrorists" folks...)
- Excellent health insurance. The bottom line, cash.
- Following all surgeon and PT directives exactly. (Read: NO INTERPRETATIONS, do as directed.)
Folks, when they said ZWB (zero weight bearing) for 3 months, I was ZWB for 3 months. Zero.
When the Physical Therapist told me to do 3 sets of 8 rep's, I would ask if I could do more. I would do 5 sets of 10 rep's. Or more. I would exercise morning, night, sitting at my desk, anywhere.
There was quite a bit of loss of muscle mass due to inactivity, it's not back yet, only continued exercise with dedication and determination will get me close.
For those just reading about your/this kind of injury I'll tell you the 3 words my mother taught me daily growing up, "Never give up."
That's me - John
P.S. Thanks mom & dad, rest in peace.
