But, I've been happy to see that the little I've written here about the MPFL surgery has helped some people gain confidence. One year later, I feel great. Sure, there is still a little bit of pain and some atrophy, but my doctor told me it would be nearly 1 1/2 years before I'd see complete recovery. Regardless, the pain is minimal and nothing compared to the stability I've gained in my knee. I followed my physical therapy regimen to the letter, including a lot of stretching at home on my own. I bought one of those yoga stretching straps that I hooked over my foot, and then I laid on my stomach and pulled my heel toward my butt. The first couple of times I could only get about 30 degrees. That bothered me, because the doctor said he wanted 90 degrees by the end of the second week, and I wasn't even half-way there! So, every hour on the hour, I stretched. Each stretch was painful, but I found that by taking very deep breaths, I could breathe through the pain of each stretch. At the end of the third week, I was nearly at 90 degrees. At the end of the fifth week, I was able to go all the way around on a bicycle, and the whole staff at therapy remarked how far I'd come. They also mentioned that they knew a lot of my progress had come from my at-home stretches.
So, for those of you who are contemplating the surgery or are in recovery, I highly recommend a yoga stretching strap. Here's a link to one like I bought: http://www.amazon.com/Body-Back-Company-Stretching-Strap/dp/B001I1OYP2
Of course, ask your doctor and physical therapist about if/when/how to use this strap, but I have to say, this was one of the most valuable pieces of rehab equipment I had. Another invaluable tool for me was Kinesio Tex Gold sports tape. Here's a link to that: http://www.amazon.com/Kinesio-Tex-Gold-Tape-Blue/dp/B001VNKNPC/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_3
Again, ask your doctor or therapist if/when/how to use this tape, as there is a technique to taping it correctly. The tape helped tremendously with the pain and swelling, and if applied properly, it will last on your leg for several days--even after showering. I loved this stuff, and I've actually been thinking about buying some more for now. I don't need it much, but once in a while I still get some swelling, and this really helps.
Many people have asked me about my scars, and in some of my earlier blogs, I posted some gnarly post-op pictures. I will try to post a new picture soon so those of you who've asked can see that there is really minimal scarring involved with the MPFL surgery.
Overall, I now have full range of motion (got that back at about 8 weeks post surgery), and I feel great. I'm very thankful I got the surgery, and the doctor who performed it, Dr. Rick Csintalan, was amazing. He practices in Irvine, California, so anyone who lives in Socal and is looking to get this operation should seriously consider him. He, in my opinion, is one of the best doctors I've ever been to.
So, please--keep the questions coming! I'm happy to answer any that you have and I wish everyone the best of luck with their knees!
27 comments:
Glad to hear your surgery worked out so well. I can't believe it's been a year already.
Thanks, Churlita! It really doesn't seem like it was a year ago, but I'm glad it's all behind me now!
I am so glad to have found this blog! My 13 year old daughter just had this surgery on June 22nd and it is nearly impossible to find any info. on this surgery. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It has been very helpful for both of us. We will keep reading and I hope you don't mind if we have questuions from time to time. I am so glad your recovery went so well and I am hoping the same for her. Keep up the good work!
Hi, Anonymous--Thank you for writing! I hope that your daughter's surgery went smoothly and that she's off to a fast recovery! You're absolutely right in that there's not much info out there on MPFL reconstruction, and since I had such a positive experience, I wanted to make sure anyone considering the surgery knew that it can go very well! Good luck to you both, and please feel free to ask questions any time!
Hello there! I am an active/athletic 40 year old, & I'm 8 weeks post MPFL. I'm getting frustrated because there is still considerable pain. It feels like a sharp ache at times & there is also pain under my kneecap. My question is: how long until you were able to walk without a limp? My surgical leg has atrophied & I'm trying so hard to walk normally but its not coming together for me. I'm also doing lots of physio, stretches, exercise bike & steps. My p/t told me to give it a few more weeks. Guess I'm losing some of my patience - lol. Thanks! Tracy
Hi, Tracy! Thanks for writing. Don't give up hope, yet! I think it was nearly 12 weeks before I could walk confidently, but even then, I probably still had a slight limp. After only 8 weeks, I still struggled, and those pain you are feeling were exactly like mine. In fact, I still have them at times, but far less frequently.
My doctor told me that it takes nearly one and a half years to completely recover from this surgery, and for me, I started to feel much stronger about 4-6 months post surgery. That's where I saw the real gains. My doctor said that the pain is a normal part of the healing process because surgery is traumatic to the knee, but in time, you should see some drastic improvements. It did take longer than I thought it would, but I'm sure in just a few weeks you'll see more improvement. Keep me posted and hang in there! Good luck.
I just had the same surgery as you with the same doctor. Small world. It's been 11 days since my surgery and I am having a hard time with some P/T. I cannot do leg slides at all and I'm afraid to lay on my stomach and put my feet to my butt. I am off crutches as of 4 days ago. I am hoping that I am able to go on a trip with my friends up north July 15th which means I have a lot of catching up to do. I get sharp pain in my knee every so often. I believe it's just because it is healing. Being 6 ft 7 makes it hard on me.
Hi, trojanfan720! Wow--it is a small world! Leg slides were really hard for me. I tried the best I could every hour. It was slow going, though. I think I could only get 30 degrees for the first couple of weeks, but I kept trying! Glad you're off the crutches. I got sharp pains for months post surgery, but Dr. Csintalan said there's a lot healing and that's to be expected. I bet you can go on your trip--just take it easy! I was up and walking around quite a bit, but if I was up a lot, I had more swelling. Just keep using that ice machine and elevating. Don't worry too much about the stretches-- it will come! I don't think I even attempted to get on my stomach for about a month. Good luck!
Thanks for replying back. I start my 2nd P/T tomorrow. I'm seeing the doctor on Wednesday to hopefully get the staples removed. 19 in total. I get sharp pain every so often in my foot and my knee, and sometimes my knee twitches. The only real discomfort I have is when the brace is off while showering or when I'm standing still. I think it's just the swelling in my knee that is causing this. Then my leg gets stiff again. Is the brace always kept in a straight position the whole entire time I'm wearing it or is it adjusted to wear I can bend my knee when I walk?
trojanfan720--I had very similar pain and twitches. I still get them from time to time. If I remember correctly, the brace was always locked unless I was doing PT. After 8 weeks, I didn't have to wear the brace any more at all, but I was still pretty shaky when I walked. After a couple of weeks without the brace, I gained more strength and stability. Overall, the brace was the worst part! It's nearly impossible to get comfortable sleep in that thing! You're right, though, that the swelling causes all that stiffness. I was walking quite a bit two weeks after surgery, but I could always tell when it was time to sit down again!
Hi again- I am probably going to keep messaging you so be prepared!:) Today in therapy it was really bad and really good. I did most of the excercises except for 2. They had me do calf raises, balance my body on my bad leg while holding on to 2 bike machines, stand on my bad leg and slide my good leg up down and left. But the bad things were heel slides while sitting on a doctors stool, and to top it off I was on a stationary bike to try and get my legs going. I pushed so hard on my left leg that I threw my right leg back more than I am ready for. Instantly something hit my stomach and almost made me sick. I had to stop for 10 min, drink water and wipe my face off with water. The therapist said my face was white. Horrible I must say. I am 77 degrees bending which might behind schedule but I am trying. The doctor said I need to get more movement. I am doing my excercises at home and my knee is still swollen. Bad but good day. Blah!
Hi, it's Tracy here. Thank you for your support & encouraging words. I'm 8 weeks post-op and still pop the occassional regular strength Tylenol when my knee gets sore, usually at the end of the day. Also I can't get over the stiffness in the morning when I roll out of bed - but my p/t tells me it's a good thing, it's supposed to be stiff. I'll keep working at it. I see my surgeon in Banff, Alberta, Canada in about 10 days for another check-up. I will post back again after my appt with any progress. Thanks again - take care!! Tracy
Trojanfan720--I've been on vacation, so I apologize for the late response. How's the therapy going now? It has been about 11 days since you wrote and you were at 77 degrees. It sounds like you're right on track! Those heel slides are hard, and getting on the bike was excruciating at first, but I bet you're doing even better now. Let me know!
Tracy--How's it going? I've been on vacation but am wondering how you're doing. It has been a year now for me, and I still get a stiff knee and soreness, so don't feel bad! Hang in there.
As of yesterday I can bend my leg 110 degrees with a little help and I can do a full circle on the bike. Starting Friday my leg will be measured while lying on my stomach. I get swelling on the inside of my knee sometimes. It comes and goes. I wonder if it's scar tissue build up. While sleeping my leg cramps up and gets pretty sore. My leg was unlocked yesterday too
Hello!
I am so happy I came across your blog. I have been trying to do research on MPFL reconstruction. My surgery is scheduled for August 10th. I have had recurrent patella dislocation since I was 13. I had a lateral release when I was 16. I still had recurrent dislocations after that from time to time, but I got used to it because I would be sore for a few days, and then wouldn't have another dislocation for awhile. I am very active, although I don't run, I bike frequently, I strength train with weights and keep my legs really strong. A month ago, I dislocated my patella going down the stairs. It went back in spontaneously, but I must have done it at such a high enough force that I've been sore since. 2 visits with my Ortho Md and some xrays and an MRI later, I thought, "maybe it's time to get this surgery done" I'm a nurse in the ER, wife and mother of 2 boys...and about to go back to school for my MSN, I can't really take a lot of time off. I'm really scared that it's going to take me awhile to get back on my feet and get the strength back in my leg so that I can go back to work. I'm deathly afraid that I will not be able to go back to work right away and be able to perform my job as a bed-side nurse to full capacity.
I would like to know how long did it take you before you can walk without a knee immobilzer and crutches? Were you able to drive?
My doctor told me that I will not be able to go to PT for 3 weeks after surgery, I feel like this is too long and I'm sorried about muscle atrophy. I guess I'm more scared about not being able to do things afterwards...
Thank you for your blogs, it has been very helpful and I remain optimistic despite my fears.
Sincerely,
Maggie
Hi junkgirl – I wanted to check in and say hi and give an update.
I am 11 weeks MPFL post-op, and I’m feeling really good.
I lost my limp 2 weeks ago, which made me very happy. I can even wear heels now for a bit without limping.
I have been out kayaking & walking, my activity level is improving. I can do stairs normally and can even run upstairs if I’m in a rush.
Can’t hurry downstairs yet though, it’s slower walking down the stairs. I still hold onto the railing. I’ve had no dislocations since the operation – yay!
My leg has atrophied and is quite a bit smaller than my non-surgical leg, but it’s getting stronger. I am doing my physio & try to stay on top of the schedule, which isn’t always easy.
The pain level has gone down, but I still find sleeping at night sore on the knee. It starts to ache after keeping it in the same position for a while. I’ve started icing it & advil before bed to get more comfort before falling asleep.
It’s still stiff at times, so I work on stretching and bending my knee to get flex.
All in all – I feel things have gone better than expected and my healing has gone really well. I’m optimistic.
Thanks – have a great day.
Tracy
Tracy- is the pain in the knee at night while sleeping normal? I'm 5 weeks post op as of today and I have major pain while sleeping. I tried to sleep with the brace off one night and wow did it hurt. I had it on last night. It was as sore as having it off but it still made sleeping difficult. I also feel my knee isn't as strong as last week. Maybe it's just a mind thing.
I am so happy I found this!!! I just found out yesterday I have to have this surgery 9/20/11. I start physical therapy this monday for six weeks to strengthen my knee enough to even go through surgery. Im a 23 year old girl & this was an injury with "no explanation of pain" since February 1st of this year (until YESTERDAY!!). Reading this has been so informative!! Thank you!! <3
So glad I found this! I am 7 weeks post-op from my second MPFL reconstruction, my first ruptured about 5 months ago. I don't remember my first surgeries recovery being this long. I was just released off crutches last week and my ROM is only 78 degrees flexion 0 extension. Feeling really down and frustrated. I am doing all my at home exercises and haven't missed a day of therapy. So great to see other stories of success and hoping my recovery speeds up. I also had my medial meniscus repaired so maybe that is contributing to the slowdown.
Hello: As we are all seeking support, here is my story. I had MPFL recon on March 23, 2011, and this month it will be 6 months post op. I have good ROM thanks to one of those electric bending machines I was given which is covered by insurance. My muscle strength test strong too. However, my issue is stability and balance. I still walk with an assistive device (crutches, cane, and walker at times in crowded conditions) because my confidence level is low with stability. I often feel that I have a neurological problem since I trip a lot and feel dizzy and can't maneuver in the 'real world' without a device. I sometimes walk at home with a great limp, as my surgery leg feels a bit wooden. Has anyone else experienced this long of stability rehab? I'm getting a lot of grief from friends and PT - "why am I still on a crutch..you should have grown a new leg by now...etc." Just makes me feel bad. All the weird symptoms and imbalance things happen when I am alone. My doc says it will be over 1 year before all symptoms have disappeared. I'm interested in what others have experienced.
Good luck to all, and I am happy others have had so much success.
I'm now 4 weeks post op, started PT a week and a half ago. I've been doing my exercises at home religiously but still have quite a bit of swelling. As of yesterday, I have 72 degrees range of motion I'm still walking around with a knee brace, most of the time I have it unlocked, PT has it set so I can't bend beyond 60% with it on, if I get tired, I lock it. I stopped using crutches 1 week after surgery. My biggest problem right now is I can't tighten my quads enough to be able to do a straight leg raise without my knee brace on. I feel like it's taking forever, even though I know this is just the beginning. I want to be able to just get on a stationary bicycle again! I know I have to be patient, and I know all of you who have read this blog and comments have gone through the same emotions I am going through now. Reading your comments definitely makes me more hopeful and I know that things will get better..eventually.
Just had my surgery for my mpfl 2 weeks ago and I'm in speedy recovery so that I can keep playin football. I'm alredy going around on the bike and got to 100 degres on bending last physical therapy sesion and also had the same doctor as yourself he is pretty great but my question is. Is it safe to sleep without the brace goin the third week?
Yeah, I'm so glad I found this blog... I'm having mpfl surgery done by Dr. Csintalan next Thursday. I've been nervous about the whole process as I have been on crutches since I dislocated my knee back in September. I've felt very comfortable with him so it's good to see your success. =)
I am so happy I found this blog, I had MPFL surgery just 4 weeks ago and still having trouble lifting my leg. My muscle is still asleep and swelling is pretty bad so I am only able to bend 56 degrees. Starting to get frustrated as I went into surgery in great shape and I am young. I got rid of my crutches after 2 days but still in a full leg brace and feel like it is never going to come off.....at 4 weeks what should my range of motion be? Is swelling still a problem at this point?
I am 7 weeks post op and can bend only to 74 degrees. I'm not sure if that's normal or not, but I do know I'm doing all I can to get it to bend more. I was given a CPM machine (automatically bends your knee) at the beginning of this week. Hopefully that will help. I've been using it for at least 3 hours/day. I had no idea it would take so long to recover. I can't wait to go up a flight of stairs normally. I really appreciate reading through everyone's comments and trying to gauge if my progress is normal or not. I guess everyone is different. I'm 27 and very active and just can't wait to go to a yoga class again.
Hi, I'm 3 weeks post op and only able to bend to 38 degrees. I am finding that when I try to bend, it gets really tight and I am worried that something might snap?!?! Anyone got any ideas on how to help me to bend better. I'm supposed to be at 60 degrees for this coming Mondays PT appointment.
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