RUPTURED PATELLAR TENDON

[FINFAN3DP]

I fell down three steps and ruptured my patellar tendon. My injury occurred 12/14/06, my surgery was 12/18/06 and they discharged me from the hospital on 12/19/06. 1/3/07 at the docs he said to do quad flex's 30 times twice a day and 10 heel toe points every hour. Next appointment on 1/18/07 I get the x-ray like usual then go into the exam room. He comes in, takes off my brace, throws it on the counter and then tells me to lay down. (i truly think he told me to lay down so I couldn't punch him when he did what he did next.) Next he grabs my knee cap and starts yanking it side to side and massaging my knee very roughly. He tells my wife she has to do this twice a day, ten to fifteen times and then pick up my knee so it bends a little 3 to 5 times. He then told me I couldn't have my brace back and sent us home with a script for Physical Therapy. I guess my question is, it has only been 4.5 weeks since my surgery and now i can't have the brace? Fast forward to today 1/31, only 6 weeks since surgery.  Doc had me put my leg off the edge of the table then proceeded to push down on it little by little until I was literally crying.  I'm a 39 year old big guy that doesn't cry. I'm really concerned that this guy is too agressive and he is going to rerupture it.  I'm a 350lb guy and I really don't want to have to go this surgery again.  Should I start looking for another doc?

[swamitime3]

WOW!!! 6 months finally arrived and I can say I made it!  Yesterday my doctor cleared me for full activities.  I have 138 degrees ROM but quad strength is still low, but improving daily.   Six months ago it seemed that the whole world was collapsing in.   With the help of many including the online community I got through the dark days of PT (5 months worth).  I now have left the last strength issues with a personal trainer at my local club who is helping me develop a program to get my quad 100%.  To anyone who is in the early stages of rehab don't give up keep working on that knee, ride the bike, use the leg press and get that leg stronger then it was!!  I play a lot of competitive golf and the season ahead is going to be a whole new one where I will have a new attitude towards everything!  Sometimes and injury this hard changes you inside and makes you stronger.  So, take what you will from all the posts from me and others and realize that you will get through the injury!  

So, Happy New Year to all!!

Mike

[lostandconfused448]

Super excited today!!!!!!!!!!!111 smiles and high fives all over the place.......... Guess what out of no where i did a straight leg raise. First time i did one and i did 12 in a row like i have been doing it for months now...... lol.........thanks to everyone who posted and gave me the confidence that i can do it. and thank you swamtime for a little extra boost. Oh i felt like i was the only one in this whole world with this injury.
thanks again
lost and confused
p.s im still at 55 degrees

[sugar1220]

This is an injury that takes time to heal. Like swamitime said everyone is different as is their healing process. I am coming up on 4 months and at about 75 degrees ROM. Ar first I was frustrated but the fact that I ruptured both rendons at the same time may have had an adverse affect on my rehab. My scar tissue is bad and my ROM is not what I would like, however even though it is slow, I do see progress which is what keeps me going.

[lostandconfused448]

i have read alot of the posts and it has helped me. yesterday i sat on the side of me bed and worked my knee. I have always been afraid that i will hurt it even more but  yesterday i had alot of confidence in myself. i wanted to be back to work by feb, but it doesnt look that way now. I am feeling so much better with everything that i have read and i will keep you posted, thank you so much. lost and confused

[swamitime3]

Lostandconfused448,

Don't dispair.  This injury is going to take sometime to heal.  I was stuck at 80 degrees for a long time and then once I broke through things began to change.  The injury should be technically repaired and now the strength needs to come back in the quad.  The tendon will need to be stretched also.  Everyone is different and there is no time table for this injury.  Read some of the post above and take a bit from each one.  Key for me was to keep doing every possible exercise I could.  Scar tissue is also a key thing to get a hold of.  Massage that scar to break that tissue down.  Keep working it and it will eventually get to were you need it to be.  

[lostandconfused448]

I raptured my patellar tendon while at work. I thought my whole world crumbled. Since the tear wasnt normal(off the bone) but it was shredded and torn in the middle i was told to withhold from therapy for additional month and then start pt. well that didnt happen either because in the 4.5 week i had a blood clot from surgery and it traveled to my lung. I was in the hospital for 8 days. I was so distraught. I wanted to start pt and not be behind. so i didnt start pt until 7 weeks. so i am behind. now i am 12 weeks post op. I have a cpm to help bend my knee. I can only bend 53 degrees at this point. i am un sure if my exercise efforts are correct. i still can not do straight leg raises and the therapist is upset that i cant. im scared that i will nevr be able to do them again. can some one help me?  
sincerly

lost and confused