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Frank M

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Hi Frank

Welcome to the club that no one wants to join!!
I'm now 14 weeks post-op and PT started for me at 6 weeks. Prior to that, I was just doing Quad presses and attempting leg raises to get the quad to fire up. My brace was set at 30 degrees at that point so I was also doing heel slides for ROM.
There's some fantastic info on this forum, but you'll find although our injuries are more or less the same, there are numerous approaches to rehab.
If you don't mind me asking, How'd yours happen? Is your brace fixed or do you have some ROM?
Best of luck with the injury. Best piece of advice I've been given is recovery is a marathon not a sprint and you eventually get to cross that finish line.

Hello Keith … thanks for your comments and support. Mine happened at a track meet I was announcing! I was about to announce the athletes in each lane. I was behind the field of runners and took a couple of steps back. The last step I took I stepped on a starting block (metal item used by sprinters to start race) and over I went not to be able to get up! I had a partial Quad tendon tear for many years. I elected to forgo surgery since when discovered it was apparently really old. Instead I did PT to strengthen all surrounding tendons. After PT I bought some of the items I had used at the PT place and did my own PT twice a week for almost 4 years with no knee issues. I am a runner (well I call what I do at my age (79) running) without any problems until 2/21/219 :( .
And yes I agree there is the process which will take awhile for my recover to "normal"! Being home bound is not fun. Not being able to drive is a real bummer. No way to do so with this brace currently locked straight. I have been told by surgeon my first objective is 45 degrees ROM so the process begins.
Again thanks for your response!
 

Keith

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Hi Frank
I found it really difficult to deal with at first, both physically and mentally. Overnight, my independence was gone and I hated having to rely completely on others to help me accomplish basic day to day tasks. However, once I accepted my situation and the likely timescale, things got a little easier. Thankfully, I've also got a really understanding employer which has taken the pressure off a bit.
You seem to have a pretty good attitude and a "use it or lose it" approach. I don't know many 79 year olds who are still out running, in fact I don't know any!! You've also got the self discipline to stick with the PT, so there's every reason you'll make a full recovery.
It's amazing how many of these injuries occur with seemingly insignificant events or moments of trauma. My quads were subjected to stressors every day- Gym, cycling, endurance hiking in the hills and mountains, yet mine popped just stepping onto loose ground at the bottom of some steps!
I've had a major setback in that i've now got a lower left back spasm which is pretty painful and disabling. This has been caused by my incorrect gait and limping, constantly pulling my pelvis and lumbar muscles in the wrong direction.
Keep us posted on your progress, it's good to hear from you and I hope a few more people find their way to this thread.
 

Kevin_C

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Hi Frank,

Sorry to see that your here, but you'll get through this, especially being 79 years old and still as active as you are, it doesn't sound like theres much that's going to keep you down. I've been through two of these now Frank, and the 6 week mark seems like the best time frame to start therapy. I started therapy at the 14 day mark both times, based on my surgeons recommendation, but not much happens in therapy besides patellar mobilizations, quad sets, ice, and stim. I could have done all that at home. They're not stretching the knee much, if any during that time. The 6 week mark, for me, is when therapy started to get more aggressive. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Keith I had a question for ya. Can you climb stairs yet? I'm curious because I haven't even attempted them, still doing em one at a time. I am not sure my quad is strong enough yet to put that force through it. I'm 20 weeks post op now. On the leg press I'm at 40 lbs for sets of 15 reps, wall squat holds, quad sets, stiff leg raises (2 lb ankle weights), TKE 2 lb ankle weights (sets of 20), one leg balancing, and bicycle for about 10 minutes per clip 2x a day.
 

Keith

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Hi Kevin

Yeah, I can go up stairs, but it doesn't feel natural at all and once I put the weight onto the bad leg and through the quad, it rebounds to the locked straight position when stepping up. I can't seem to maintain that natural bend we have in our legs when walking or going up stairs. I'm sure this is to blame for my current back problems.
I'm still coming down stairs or steps one at a time and don't have the confidence to try doing it properly.
Thanks to your advice re icing, i've got my ROM to 130 degrees, but everything else is at a standstill due tothe back problem.
Sounds like you're doing great with the PT, keep it up buddy. I've not attempted leg presses yet.
 

Kevin_C

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Hey Keith,

130 degrees is awesome man! You made quick work of that 15 degrees! I'm icing as I type this out now.

I'm climbing stairs pretty much the same way as you. I've really gotta hold the railing tight if I wanna push up with the bend in the leg. And going down same way as you also, he had said 2 more weeks and my quad should have the strength to go down, but not there yet.

What are you doing for your back to get back in action. That must be rough, having a separate issue on top of rehabbing your leg.
 

Frank M

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Hi Keith and Kevin C...finished my first week of PT with visits on Monday and Friday plus homework on the other 5 days. Nothing I did at the PT sessions seemed to dramatic. Straight leg raises, side leg raises, kneeling on good knee with hands on supporting the rest of me and doing straight leg raises. Plus "gas pedal" session---in sitting position leg straight with rubber band around foot of injured leg I pull tight then bend foot at ankle as if stepping on the gas peddle in a car. Same routine at home other days. Knee is bending to 40 on the brace. I am told to set it at this when in sitting position and return it to 0 when walking about. I have not been using my crutches when walking about the house.
Doc told PT folks to move my knee up each week by 15 degrees! Of course, the brace is increments of 10's :) Oh well...looks like long road ahead for me...
Not experiencing any pain thus far ...the heat session prior to start of PT and Ice machine when done really helps. I wish you both continued progress though Keith sounds as if the back issue is really setting you back (no pun intended) a bit. I look forward to hearing from you both plus any thoughts on my comments on my PT items.

Frank M
 

Keith

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Hi Kevin & Frank

I've gotta say, the constant icing is one of the best bits of advice I've been given, so thanks so much for that tip. My leg goes easily around to 130 now without any resistance or stiffness. Swelling decreased dramatically and I can now see 3 of the 4 anchor points in the patella. Dunno if thats a good thing or not
As for my back, I'm on a course of muscle relaxants to ease the spasms and only comfortable rehab I can do is recumbent exercise bike. I'm also doing some gentle Pilates stretching which I feel is also helping.
Sounds like you're bouncing back Frank. PT sounds pretty much like my early days regime, but I couldn't manage a leg raise until about week 6, couldn't move it an inch off the ground. Recovery is definitely a marathon and not a sprint, you'll get to the finish line at some point. Don't push too hard like me and you'll avoid the setbacks. I've tried to walk too far too soon and paid the price. All the best to both of you.
 

Frank M

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Back from PT #3 measured at 70 degree range of motion when sitting on edge of table with leg hanging down. :) Also did a 1/2 mile walk from home. Two positive results today. I know this is going to be a slow log process based on the comments I have reviewed. I do not wish to rush ahead but I am determined to get back my normal life. Biggest goal I have is to be able to drive myself around!!! Now I depend on others with a 4 door vehicle to access a back seat to stretch out. Not to my liking... I am quite a ways from this goal. Problem with me driving me will be, once out of brace, getting into my car as it is a 2 seat sports car. It is automatic but bending my leg (knee) critical. Oh well looking forward to the day.
Hope all others on this site are moving close to moving on with their lives in more normal fashion.
Keith and Kevin I hope progress is visiting you again this week :)

Frank
 

Kevin_C

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Hi Frank,

Your having fantastic progress thus far. I was reading your PT up to this point and it sounds similar to what I've and others experienced. Similar to Keith, I couldn't manage a straight leg raise until week 7 or 8 with my second surgery. I recall that I was allowed to unlock the brace when walking when I met the criteria of being able to do 10 straight leg raises in a row. That was when my quad was sufficiently strong enough to support having the brace unlocked when walking. Also, for me, the brace was always set to less than what I gained in PT with my physio. The thought behind that was so, in case I fell with the brace unlocked, my knee wouldn't hyperflex past the ROM that I already have. Every surgeon is different probably but I wanted to share with you my experience early on. I have a pickup truck so I was able to drive around week 5, but getting my leg even into the truck was extremely challenging early on. Sitting on a thick pillow helped with keeping my leg straight inside of the truck. Keep up the great work Frank.

Hi Keith,

How's it going man? I'm glad the icing has helped you and hoping your back calms down so that you can go full bore with your rehab. I'm experiencing some back issues as well, where my lower back feels like its very unstable and "hanging on by a thread." Seems when I make a fairly quick movement I have to catch myself because it feels like it's going to let go. The physio did some work on it yesterday and mentioned my core and posterior chain are "shut down" and we will begin to work on those soon but not yet. I'm hovering around the 115 to 120 mark right now with range of motion..

Was there an exercise that you can pinpoint that helped you the most get from 115 to 130?

Also guys I wanted to share with you a facebook group that I started back in December called Quadriceps tendon rupture and recovery. It has about 7 members in it ranging from a guy who is currently 4 weeks out from surgery to someone who is 6 years out from surgery that had a fantastic recovery, and some in between. If you have facebook come and check it out.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/189625168653841/
 

Frank M

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Hello All... just finish watching the you tube videos posted by Dave Burr. He has posted 8 separate videos with #1 was five days after surgery. With the latest video at 12 weeks post surgery. He has made amazing progress. I presume some here have seen them and if not here is link to #1 https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...8FFBD84F3F96C8A831628FFBD84F3F96&&FORM=VDRVRV He mentions pain after surgery and I really did not experience much. Maybe 3 days total then only meds were Ibuprofen and Extra strength Tylenol. for maybe 5 more days. Nothing since.
I plan to move as quickly as I am allowed on my journey without being stupid.
I am also interested in why some of people have had the knee closed in surgery with staples or stitches. Me---the surgeon closed my knee with glue!!! It has healed with almost super even and small line down the knee.
I am walking everyday now outside for about 1/2 mile with my brace open and unlocked! Not sure the surgeon would be happy with this. I am conscience of where I am stepping so I will not hit uneven area unexpectedly. And so the journey continues.
Frank M.
 

Frank M

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Done with PT # 4 pretty much sane routine as last session on Monday. Progress in knee movement with our pain. At times it seems it is just not willing to go beyond the point it has reached. PT again Monday then see surgeon on Thursday. I walked into the PT facility today as usual in my brace in pair of shorts. Place is full of people working this and that plus the therapists. The owner, Dave sees me and notices my brace is not locked in its straight position!!! Gives me the lecture on whenever walking need it locked straight. I said fine though I did not tell him I took 1/2 mile walk outside yesterday :) While in doing so was cautious in where I was stepping. Feels good to be able to bend it a bit.
Found a book on Amazon by Steve Gartner title Ruptured Quaderr: My Experience with Quadricep Tendon Rupture. $1.99 US for online Kindle copy. only 48 pages of his accidents and recoveries. He had one then 6 years later ruptured BOTH :(. Easy read and some interesting info as well on recovery efforts.
That's it. I presume all are doing well since I am typing away in vacuum. Until...
Frank M
 

The Last in Lin

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Hi Kevin

Many thanks for your response, much appreciated.
I'm pleased you're on the road to recovery and admire you're resolve as this is your second QTR!!
You're exactly right, there's no "normal" with this injury or rehab. I've never seen so many different approaches or protocols for an injury before. Thankfully, my PT at the moment has seen the injury before and has experience in dealing with it. However, the previous 2 really had no idea, which wasn't helpful.
There's so much fantastic information on these boards but it can be a little overwhelming in deciding what's best for yourself. I'm pleased with my progress regarding ROM, but hadn't prepared myself for the return of the significant pain. Trying to walk with a normal gait also seems a long way off and it's causing me a lot of lower back and hip pain. I guess thats down to the lack of strength in the quad muscles at this point.
I'm definitely going to try your icing regime and it makes complete sense. Guys at my gym can't understand how the quads can redevelop efficiently if you're thrashing them with exercises every day, as this just breaks down the muscle fibre. They say I should be having rest days between quad strengthening exercises to allow the muscle to build.
Good luck and strength to you in your recovery.
I had the same thing. My back hurt a lot when sitting and my hip standing or sitting. I spent most of my early months sitting with my leg propped up which isn't natural and my hips didn't move much at all except for just walking. I didn't do much squatting at that point. Stretching my back, hamstrings and inner thigh muscles helped return me to normal.

As far as the gate goes. I couldn't figure out why I was still limping while several months post op. One day I was walking at a park and realized that while I was walking up a slight slope my limp disappeared but came back on level ground. I figured out that when we walk we do so in a very slight crouch and the upward slope forced me to walk with BOTH my knees slightly bent. I focused on walking with both my knees very slightly bent and my limp disappeared almost over night. My guess is that you may be like me and still trying to lock your knee straight when I planted my injured leg. Probably because it spent so much time locked in a straight position.
 

Keith

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Hi everyone

Apologies as I haven't been on for several days.

Kevin - I would say the key thing for me in achieving the increased ROM was your tip on constant icing. I'm now around to 140 degrees without having to really push it. It seems the excessive swelling was definitely holding me back in that respect. My back problem bid finally easing up but definitely associated with my poor gait. If I use crutches to walk I don't experience any pain at all but if I fully weight bear with my poor leg it's not great! I'm also finding Pilates type stretching is really helping.
Hope you're having continued progress with your recovery.

Frank - sounds like you're making great early progress man. You've got a real positive attitude and a willingness to push yourself. Interesting to hear about your incision repair and use of glue only. Mine was done with old fashioned sutures and still looks pretty unsightly after 17 weeks!

Lin - many thanks for the response, much appreciated. I too find that I can walk up hill in a much more natural way, coming down is another matter though!! When walking on level ground my leg rebounds to the locked position as soon as I plant my foot. Seems like it doesn't take too long for the brain to make the disconnect with the repaired leg, when it's not been used as intended for long periods.

I'm not a huge golf fan, but I've gotta say, if Tiger can come back from those back surgeries to achieve what he did at the weekend then there's more than a glimmer of hope for all of us. Be well folks.

Keith
 

Frank M

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Hello Keith and others ...PT Monday morning and a little more progress on my ROM up to 75! Still very tight in the front of the knee cap. May be caused by the fluid at back of knee. I presume in the early stages you were all given STEM...seems to help as well as additional heat given just before the PT specialist does the ROM measuring! I have not been icing on my own and based on the comments above it appears I need to get this going. I presume it will help reduce the fluid in the knee.
I am performing daily routine of the items I do at PT on Monday and Friday. And I am walking 3/4 of a mile in my neighborhood in my brace :) Man will I be glad to get rid of that contraption...a necessary evil now but cumbersome to say the least.
Keith---I am impressed with your ability to hit 140 ROM!!! Well done and jealous since I am just over half way there. Agree on your assessment of Tiger's achievement last Sunday. Hard work has paid off him and will for those of us who have this injury.
To all continued progress back to normal and be well :)

Frank
 

Frank M

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Just returned from visit with surgeon. He examined the knee repair, manipulated it and had me walk back & forth down the hall way. When I was done he informed to get rid of my Brace!!! I was shocked. Set up next appointment for 6 weeks out. Back to PT and increase range of motion. Went home did a mile plus walk to celebrate not having to lug the braced leg around! :) Still lots of work to do to get everything back to normal but good news for sure.
Frank M
 

Keith

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Wow Frank that's fantastic news. It just shows the many and varying approaches to recovery and rehab. I had to wear my brace for 12 weeks! It's so liberating to be free of the damned thing.
Get some ice on that knee on a regular basis and you'll soon see some gains with ROM.
All the best Frank for a continued and speedy recovery.

Keith
 

Cortney Bowman

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Wow Frank that's fantastic news. It just shows the many and varying approaches to recovery and rehab. I had to wear my brace for 12 weeks! It's so liberating to be free of the damned thing.
Get some ice on that knee on a regular basis and you'll soon see some gains with ROM.
All the best Frank for a continued and speedy recovery.

Keith

Hi Frank and Keith,
Fantastic info I am 59 years old. Male.
My QTR (left leg) happened 2/9/19. Complete QTR rupture. Slipped in the parking lot ! Damn ! with the dreaded POP !! I am an avid surfer and former big wave surfer (double overhead is as big as I go now) and a reasonably decent snowboarder. Surgery on 2/19/19. A bit longer than I wanted; due to the MRI availability and the Presidents day holiday ! Locked straight into the Donjoy brace for 6 weeks. Lots of straight leg lifts and abductor side lifts. Lots of upper body training in the gym,starting 2 weeks after surgery.
Started PT on 4/12/19. Very stiff and swollen. Patella is quite stiff and working on patella mobilization daily. 35 degrees ROM to start. Not great. 2 PT sessions per week. Was able to ditch the crutches and walk with canes. Yesterday I was able to walk with one cane with a reasonable gait and my brace set at 70 degrees ROM. Non-aided ROM now of 60 degrees. of Up to 70 degrees if the PT pushes me with a LOT of pain. I'm NO baby and have had serious injuries before but this hurt A LOT ! . Still LOTS of swelling which is impeding my ROM progress, especially because my PT pushes me to the limit, which exacerbates the swelling.
I AM VERY ENCOURAGED AND THANKFUL to have read your experience, Keith, and your recent experience Frank, with more and constant icing and not bringing myself to the point of passing out by pushing my ROM almost too far. I have been neglectful of icing and elevating since starting my PT.
I will get on it see how this works for me and get back to you !
Also,thanks everyone for your posts !
It has encouraged me greatly.
Hope to be surfing again this fall !!!
Cortney
 

Frank M

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Hi Frank and Keith,
Fantastic info I am 59 years old. Male.
My QTR (left leg) happened 2/9/19. Complete QTR rupture. Slipped in the parking lot ! Damn ! with the dreaded POP !! I am an avid surfer and former big wave surfer (double overhead is as big as I go now) and a reasonably decent snowboarder. Surgery on 2/19/19. A bit longer than I wanted; due to the MRI availability and the Presidents day holiday ! Locked straight into the Donjoy brace for 6 weeks. Lots of straight leg lifts and abductor side lifts. Lots of upper body training in the gym,starting 2 weeks after surgery.
Started PT on 4/12/19. Very stiff and swollen. Patella is quite stiff and working on patella mobilization daily. 35 degrees ROM to start. Not great. 2 PT sessions per week. Was able to ditch the crutches and walk with canes. Yesterday I was able to walk with one cane with a reasonable gait and my brace set at 70 degrees ROM. Non-aided ROM now of 60 degrees. of Up to 70 degrees if the PT pushes me with a LOT of pain. I'm NO baby and have had serious injuries before but this hurt A LOT ! . Still LOTS of swelling which is impeding my ROM progress, especially because my PT pushes me to the limit, which exacerbates the swelling.
I AM VERY ENCOURAGED AND THANKFUL to have read your experience, Keith, and your recent experience Frank, with more and constant icing and not bringing myself to the point of passing out by pushing my ROM almost too far. I have been neglectful of icing and elevating since starting my PT.
I will get on it see how this works for me and get back to you !
Also,thanks everyone for your posts !
It has encouraged me greatly.
Hope to be surfing again this fall !!!
Cortney

Hi Cortney.... Welcome to the "The Straight Legers Club"! Glad you found this site it is really helpful to know we are not alone with this severe injury. It is amazing that it can happen so quickly. Other than the delay in surgery sounds as if you are pretty much on same path as most who have gone before. I have had a total of 6 PT sessions thus far. Started April 1st a Monday and then Friday which is now my pattern. As of now I am near 90 degree ROM and last Thursday the surgeon set me free of brace. I was shocked as mentioned in my comment above. No crutches or cane (s) again this is shock. Friday at PT they too were surprised. In fact they encouraged me to wear it in crowds or on uneven surfaces. They felt surgeon was being too aggressive :) I really have not been out in crowds so not a concern and just walking on flat areas.
I honestly have not had my PT person push knee to force my ROM so far so no real painful experience. Surgeon really emphasized moving patella back and forth several times a day. Wants me to break up the scar tissue.
Continue the good attitude and working the process...we can all hopefully achieve what others who have posted here getting back to our normal! I will look for your ongoing posts and progress.
 

Cortney Bowman

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Hi Cortney.... Welcome to the "The Straight Legers Club"! Glad you found this site it is really helpful to know we are not alone with this severe injury. It is amazing that it can happen so quickly. Other than the delay in surgery sounds as if you are pretty much on same path as most who have gone before. I have had a total of 6 PT sessions thus far. Started April 1st a Monday and then Friday which is now my pattern. As of now I am near 90 degree ROM and last Thursday the surgeon set me free of brace. I was shocked as mentioned in my comment above. No crutches or cane (s) again this is shock. Friday at PT they too were surprised. In fact they encouraged me to wear it in crowds or on uneven surfaces. They felt surgeon was being too aggressive :) I really have not been out in crowds so not a concern and just walking on flat areas.
I honestly have not had my PT person push knee to force my ROM so far so no real painful experience. Surgeon really emphasized moving patella back and forth several times a day. Wants me to break up the scar tissue.
Continue the good attitude and working the process...we can all hopefully achieve what others who have posted here getting back to our normal! I will look for your ongoing posts and progress.
Fantastic Frank ! ROM of 90 degrees and out of your brace already ! As I remember you had surgery about the same date as I did (2/19), I am making very slow progress at 65-72 (passive and active) degrees. I keep in mind, (and it is encouraging) that it is a marathon and not a sprint regarding rehab from a QTR. (I believe you were the one who posted that)
Thanks again for your post !
Keep me informed !
 

Keith

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Hi everyone

Welcome to the forum Cortney, shame it's in these circumstances though.
Pleased you've found some comfort, reassurance and inspiration from the guys on here. It's a brutal injury and for most, a lengthy rehab process.
I find it interesting that you're another person who's led an extremely active and physical life, yet the injury is caused by a seemingly insignificant event!! Its one of the things I've struggled to get my head around. My quads have been subject to all kinds of stress over the years yet mine snapped stepping down onto a pavement from some stairs. Is it a cumulative effect over the years?? Who knows.
I'm now about 20 weeks post op, 140 degrees of ROM, which I'm happy with. However, my injured leg still looks very withered compared to my good one. I still feel like I'm struggling to make any real gains in this area, but patience is a virtue they say and I plod on every day trying to get the strength and muscle tone back up.
On a positive note, my knee feels much more stable than it was and I think the daily cycling is helping with this. I'm spending about 40 mins every day on a recumbent stationary bike with plenty of resistance. Seems to be good for my back too.
Frank - you're making fantastic progress buddy. Shocked that you're out of the brace already, but hopefully you'll be fine and continue to make great progress.
 

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