Welcome to the TPF Home Page.
This page has many useful sections with information, and fellow Tibial Plateau Fracture sufferer stories.
If you’ve recently suffered a Tibial plateau Fracture this is the place for you. This site was created after having myself gone through the recovery process of Tibial Plateau Fractures, and this site aims to contain information you need and want to know during Recovery. You can visit the forum to chat and share your story with others. Or, start reading in the Recovery Section Above. In the different pages you will find a lot of helpful information for your recovery period including medical information, first hand accounts of personal recovery stories as well as many useful tips & tricks. It’s Important to understand that this info is based on personal experience and research but that I am not a medical professional. This site is not intended to provide personal health advice. Your doctor is the professional source of information and if any advice your doctor gives you contradicts something written in this site- stick with your doctors opinion.
If you’re asking yourself how long your recovery is going to take, or what to expect, check out the recovery section. If you’re looking for some helpful tips and tricks from people who’ve been there – have a look at tips & tricks. We also have a Forum with recovery stories of different people Containing many inspiring stories and a place to ask fellow visitors questions.
If you’re looking for a community of people who have been through the same also check out the forum, or if you are looking for more information and references, those can be found in “further reading” which contains links to other websites and pages.
This page currently contains mostly information regarding recovery and recuperation after a surgery or non-surgical treatment. If you are still in the hospital and want to know more about your injury this is also the place for you. In future I might add some useful information for your stay in the hospital.
Hope you feel at Home, and feel free to contact about anything at all at [email protected]
Note: This site is currently in building and so some sections might not yet be complete
Shlomi,
September 10th, 2013
*Note: this website is not intended to provide medical advice. Your doctor is a much better source for medical advice. This information is based on firsh-hand personal experience and research*
That would be awesome! 🙂
Hey Becky. Nope, not on fb, but I have a couple people who are that might be able to pass on an email address if that would be ok? I’ll let you know why I’m not on fc later…
If you’re on f.b I’d love to “friend” you so we can keep in touch.. 🙂 Becky Hyde Sprfld Mo..
Thank you Becky! I feel exactly the same. I wish there was a way we could stay in touch every so often. Can’t wait for both of us to be done and over it all. But definitely a growth process. You know the cliché, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”! And we are never alone. Nice to travel a small part of the trail with you. Blessings and prayers to you!
Karen, I feel so blessed to have gotten to know you through this process, and pray for nothing but the best for you and yours.. ????????
Hey Becky!
Great advice for Patrick. Also include plenty of protein! I’m glad to hear you are doing well and I agree with all you said. Humbling for sure, but where we need to be. There is light at the end of the tunnel and it is bright and beautiful!
Karen
Hi to you both! As Karen knows I have almost the same exact TPF as both of you. I can relate to your need to be mobile asap Patrick since at the time of my injury I had a 7 year old, and a 10 month old! I had to rely entirely on family for almost everything for 9 wks or so… Definately got me down, as I am not one to ask for help. I felt like such a burden on them, but now that I am almost completely back to normal, it seems like such a short season of my life. My suggestion to you would be elevated as much as possible, ice it throughout the day and night to relieve the swelling which definitely eases some of the tightness in your leg and foot which will inevitably swell due to the injury. I also really enjoyed a nice Epsom salt bath but was very careful getting in and out of the tub.I have made sure to take Glucosamine Chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin D to aid in getting my joints and leg back into optimum performance.I have a fantastic acupuncturist in my area that has given me some wonderful advice, and treated me for circulation in the leg which I’m sure has done a lot to help as well. Just know that it is going to feel like a long recovery, and when they tell you to be weight-bearing don’t expect to throw off the crutches and walk as I expected to. I was quite disappointed that my leg had absolutely no strength in it! I just started physical therapy recently, and I am for the first time realizing that my goals for recovery are in sight! I thank God for this experience as strange as that sounds, it has humbled me, and given me more compassion for people.. I pray you heal well, and quickly!!
Patrick,
I am glad you have your faith. It definitely makes a big difference! I can tell you patience is not one of the virtues I have been blessed with. But when you don’t have a choice you learn to do what you must.
PT didn’t start for me until after the 6 week check. I know from reading others on here that some began earlier than I did. It definitely makes a big difference in getting around. Unless your doctor gives an ok, I would wait or check with him about when you can get started. My first exercises were mostly stretching calf and thigh muscles. I was able to flex to 45 degrees at 3 weeks and when I was able to move a little I would sit and slowly swing my leg so it would allow knee movement. That helped the swelling. By the way, I still have a little swelling and can tell when I feel a tight band around my knee. It goes away with movement. Also early on I did a lot of ankle flexing. That also helped calf muscle strengthening.
When I started PT they got right into different exercises and the fact that I did move my knee even to 45 degrees enabled my first measurements at 6 weeks to be 98 degrees. So little things done slowly grow progress. I had PT for knee surgery years ago and about 2 years ago repair of rotor cuff on my shoulder. Both at different PT sites. I went home crying from pain with both of them. This time the guys are slow and gentle. None of the forced flexion I had at the other places. I have made more and faster recovery with the slow and steady. So keep that in mind and maybe ask your doctor where you might be able to have gentle PT. Mine felt the other forced stuff inhibited healing by too much gungho too quickly.
I wouldn’t say what you should do yet as the doctor and therapists will evaluate and tell you what they think will work for you. But some minor stretches until you get the ok might be alright. Check with them. Anything else if you aren’t ready could prolong your healing and that is the last thing you want! It will come and keep in mind that you have been off your leg a while. So you will not be able to jump up and break dance right away! I’m still waiting for that myself…
God bless and my prayers are with you and all.
Karen
Hi Patrick,
I think your break is as close to what I had than any of the others I have read about here. Minor displacement, small depression and no surgery. Although the ER Dr. said I would need to go home and have surgery. (Was on vacation when I fell). My Dr. said because of less than whatever displacement he felt it would heal on its own. But NWB for 8 to 12 weeks. I felt as you, that it would be forever and I also had tons of things I needed to get to. I fell on July 1, 2015. 6 weeks later, after doing my best and struggling with NWB and having my poor husband (whom I have vowed to never complain about ever again!) the Dr. took an xray and pronounced me healed! He said I could begin to bear weight as tolerated. Been a small struggle, but feel blessed to be able to get around much better. Now, just 2 days past 9 weeks post accident I am limping without a crutch. Some aching and fatigue after walking very much, I am still doing PT, but have bumped to once a week. Doing exercises at home and cleaning, cooking and shopping as best I can.
I am strong in my faith and truly believe it is what got me thru. I have read so many experiences on this site and thought I must be a baby because my injury seemed so minor in comparison. But seeing my Dr. a few days ago, he commented on the serious and difficult injury I experienced. He said it was not an easy one and takes a long recovery. Yet I feel like I am very blessed to be this far this quickly. I expect it to continue to progress and am doing what I can and need to with much prayer and positive attitude. Again, I did not have to deal with what so many others have had to deal with. My time and recovery has been rapid. And I am turning 65 in a month and overweight. So not a perfect specimen!!
But attitude also makes a big deal. I have never been one to feel sorry for myself. Just motor on and get it done. Not a preacher, but Ephesians 4:13. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Thanks Karen,
I guess we are about in the same level of injury. I am also a person of faith and I thank you for the inspiration. I guess I am just going to have to be patient and not overdo it. I have so much I have to do though …it’s tough being a type A personality and having so much to tackle in life right now (finishing school, teaching, moving, getting ready for a baby). I am going to take the advice I read here, be patient,keep it all in prayer, and get into PT asap. Does anyone know what are the first exercises one should begin with and how soon after the injury can I begin these?
Hi everyone. My name is Patrick. I was in a Harley accident three weeks ago yesterday. Suffering from a TPF but fortunately, it was non-displaced so my ortho elected not to do surgery after taking x-rays three times the first week. My wife is pregnant with our first child although we are an older couple who each had two (teenagers) previously. Only one is left at home and she has been helpful but at 16, isn’t around much, and just got herself a puppy. My wife was told not to pick up more than ten pounds and I cannot lift anything that doesn’t swing easily in my hands with crutches. I began driving three days after the accident and have a brace that is set at 70 degrees. We moved last week and I helped my son, two helpers and brother and that took a toll on me. My wife keeps asking when I can go without the crutches as we need to get ready for a baby. Sleeping has been very difficult and I didn’t realize that the coffee was a no-no. That’s gonna be tough for me. I was using aspirin, IBU and Tylenol but maybe I will go back to the neurontin, baclofen, and norco since they are not NSAID’s. Three weeks and there’s NO WAY this leg is going be able to bare weight any time soon. I guess I just have to break the news to the wifey. I am still teaching and taking the last three classes of my PhD which requires a lot of help from the University’s Mobile Cart Services and Student Health. Miles on these crutches (it feels like) every day with my hands, arms and shoulders aching at night. I have to take care of these responsibilities but getting things done AND healing are so important. Any suggestions anyone?
I found this site very helpful. I am 42 yrs old and a father of 4. I had a TPF in right leg and was given open reduction and fixation. This is my 5th month after surgery. Thank God, I never felt any pain throuout from accident till now. I am now FWB with cane and using my bike for 20 days without doc permission though as I have to do many things for my family which I can’t do without bike. I only feel little pain in tendons and calf muscles and below ankle when I walk little excessive like in super stores and malls. I hope will be fully alright in 15 days cause my docs will then allow me back to work. The good thing is I am getting payed my full salary every month sitting at home. Thank you all and wish you good luck with this surgery.
Becky I have experienced new pains since Im now 30 days NWB+walking. The first 2 weeks was difficult, pain in my foot, hip & TPF area of knee – lack of use for almost 4 mos.took a toll. My dr. said to take it slow and easy, suggested a cane for balance. I used it off and on for 2 weeks. Stretching exercises and strengthing exercises w an elastic band helps me. But it will take time.
This is quite normal as you are more than likely walking on a soft surface. You knee will be using different muscles you haven’t used for awhile and causing the discomfort. Just be careful not to twist the knee as that will be very painful. Good luck with your recovery.
Hello all… I had a TPF at the end of May. My fracture site healed quite quickly, but being NWB for 11 wks did a number on my muscles and joints.. I am currently on vacation at the beach, and was hoping/ praying I would be able to walk with my son to pick up seashells, but in doing so yesterday I woke up this morning with pain along my fracture site… worries me a little.. has anyone experienced this??
Hi Becky,
The beach vacation is where I had my accident! But on a boat. Agree with Jobiker, the discomfort is probably pretty normal. At almost 9 weeks post accident and 3 weeks past NWB, I am just now starting to walk more without a crutch. Still using my shower seat mostly to avoid slipping. PT has made a big difference, but there is still discomfort. Be assured you would not be permitted weight baring if your bone was not healed. And many who know, have said a break most often heals more strongly than it originally was. So expect the discomfort is from tendons and muscles working after being off for so long. It really does get better, but again, it takes time. Not an easy injury to deal with and there are many variations of damage and recovery. I have Been told discomfort is normal and expected. Aching is also a bit of a problem at times. If your pain becomes unbearable and nonstop you should have it checked, but feel assured it is most likely using something you haven’t used for a long time.
Then enjoy the views, sunrises and majesty. That will renew your spirit and make all things good. Take care!
Karen
Congratulations Subhasis. So amazing to feel our bodies heal after something so all consuming for a season in our lives.
thanks