Complete rupture of left patella tendon below kneecap

[scammy]

Hello,

Glad I found this forum. I live in USA but was in India visiting family. While crossing a road, I missed the curb and my knee bent awkwardly and my entire body weight came down on my left knee. Had numbing pain and noticed that my kneecap was pushed up to my thigh. Luckily I was in Delhi and was near a very modern hospital. I was rushed to the emergency room. They took X-rays and MRI and immediately diagnosed the rupture. They immediately did the surgery the same day on June 27, 2012. A day after, they put my entire leg in a permanent cast and cut a flap over the knee so the staples could be removed in 2 weeks without removing the cast.

The surgeon said the cast will remain for 6 weeks after surgery. Until then, he told me to do toe flexing exercises and to flex the knee down as much as the cast allows. I had the the staples removed about 2 weeks as prescribed. The surgery site looked good with no infection or swelling. I get around with a walker. When the cast was placed after surgery, they bent my knee at a slight angle of about 15 degrees.

I am anxiously waiting for the 6 weeks and my cast to be removed. I am currently planning for cast removal on August 7th. From what I read, I have a long grueling process ahead. I am planning on flying back to USA on September 4 th. I'll have about 4 weeks after cast removal before I travel and I hope that with physical therapy I will be able sit in an airplane seat to get back home.

I would appreciate any feedback such as how far to push myself after cast removal. I don't want to rupture it again. Will I need to be in a brace after the permanent cast is removed?

Thanks in advance for your responses

[scammy]

Thanks for the comment. This gives me some idea of what to expect after the cast comes off. I am hoping that I can bend my knee enough to sit in an airplane seat about 4 weeks after the cast comes off.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

The expected prognosis is best discussed with your treating orthopedician depending on the type and extent of injury. Physiotherapy would help strength the muscles around the knee joint and movement may be gradually increased. 2-6 weeks of physiotherapy should be good to get you going in most cases.
Hope this helps.

Take care!