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?

[reidm]

SNAP! in more ways that one. I too have had multiple patella ruptures. First was an age ago in 1999. Volleyball (have played and loved volleyball and basketball since forever) jumped to spike and snap goes left patella. Surgical repair with immobilizing wiring in for 14 weeks. Not a fun wedding or honeymoon :-(. Have and three more small ops on it to debride scar tissue causing a uncomfortable clunk when I walked (hope you all don't get that). Left thigh never returned to sharp and knee does not track correctly. Then feb 2012 sprinting after a cricket ball snap goes the right knee, in agnoKnee I too knew what had happened, felt like I had sprinted into a knee high brick wall. This time after surgery recovery was 4 week lite weight and walking, then 6 weeks to slowly get to 90d with a ROM brace. Still have pain sleeping, standing up too long, say cooking dinner. But now my left knee is burning again with the added load of work she now is taking on.
I have often thought I have something wrong with my tendons, knees (pre-rupture) would burn if bent too long like driving or motorbike riding, then both rupture? what are the odds? Almost like the tendon started to come away from the shin years ago.
For those on recovery, good luck. I knew after a decade that lefty would never be normal again, but now my right is shot too so I have put aside my olympic dreams, and tremble in fear at the top of a flight of stairs.

[WHEEZY32]

Take it one day at a time jjsokol.  I never would've believed that a simple game of hoops would cause a repeat injury.  Frustration is part of recovery especially during the summer.  Your entire routine is thrown off!  Like using the bathroom...I took it for granted! LOLOL!  I suggest that you commit yourself to doing your quad sets early and it will get you off to a strong start for rehab.  I'm in my 6th week post surgery and I begin rehab next week.  My surgeon is impressed with my progress, but wants to take it slow.  Keep me updated on your progress!  Stay positive!

[jjsokol]

I am a 48 year old male and I was in the gym front squatting 225 lbs on my fourth set.  On the first repetition, as I was coming up, POW! My left leg made a horrible sound and collapsed under the weight.  I dumped the barbell into the rack and started rolling around on the floor screaming.  I could not find relief from the pain and the sight of my disfigured knee was all the more disturbing.  I finally found a position for my leg where it stopped spasming and I was unable to move it at all without excruciating pain.  I could not walk out of the gym and an ambulance came and took me to the ER.  I was examined and X-rayed and my suspicion was confirmed that my patellar tendon was ruptured.  They put me in a splint, gave me crutches and pain medicine and told me to see a specialist. The injury occurred on Monday, May 28, 2012.  I saw a specialist on Tuesday morning the 29th.  Surgery is scheduled for Thursday the 31st.  I'll keep you posted.  My wife won't let me live down the fact that I was screaming at the top of my lungs when it happened.  Oh well, I guess I'm not the man I used to be.

[WHEEZY32]

My surgeon asked me the same questions.  I've never experimented with steroids and I'm not an asthmatic.  Years ago I recall taking antibiotics for a brief illness, but nothing major or long term.  Other than these tendon ruptures, I've dealt with bilateral chondromalacia since I was a teenager.  I could never confirm a connection between the two.  Oh well, lucky me?  Thanks for the reply.

[ae03]

Wheezy32, its unreal that you've had somany tendon ruptures.. I understand heavy antibiotics can be attributed to weakened tendons, but the most common would be steroidal use.. Do you have asthma? The inhalants contain anti-inflammatory steroids.. Or perhaps you've experimented with performance-enhancing steroids.. Not saying that you have but this could explain it..

[WHEEZY32]

Hi all,
I've been searching around for a resource like this community.  You all GET IT!  I ruptured my left patellar tendon 4/20 playing in staff vs. students basketball game.  The kicker is this- I had the same injury, same knee 12 years ago playing softball.  I jinxed myself because I joked around that if anyone got hurt it would be.  Haha! What a prophecy right?
I knew exactly what happened and laughed about it while being helped off the court.  My students and teachers thought I was joking because of my response.  I wasn't!  I couldn't believe that I would have to undergo a third surgery for a ruptured tendon.  Yes, I said third! About a year after I tore the patellar tendon I ruptured my right Achilles tendon playing basketball! That's what made this recent injury a bit humorous and took the edge off the pain and anxiety.  Like who does this?  Shouldn't i have learned the first two injuries?  Not me!  I'm a former high school football and basketball standout, former Infantry soldier in the Army, and a regular gym rat. No major injuries until I became a weekend warrior!

At 41 years old, I felt pretty good playing competive sports within reason. Now, I'm not so sure? I'm beginning to question if I may have a degenerative tendon disorder (if one exists) or a nutritional deficiency.  Can anyone relate? Any thoughts?