Broken Knee Cap...how long to recover?

Will you require more surgery to remove the hardware? I'd think your best case would be 8 weeks after that for sneaking in a few very easy runs against doc's orders. If they're going to leave it than I guess it would depend on how your other rehab activities are going. But many folks here don't always obey exactly what the docs say when it comes to getting back on the snow. It sounds like you are still not very mobile. We'll toss up some prayers and + vibes for you to try to help where we can. Keep us posted.

Disclaimer... You usually risk making things a LOT worse by not following the doc's orders..

I'm sorry to hear that S. H. Silence probably means a definite no way from their end. Smacking your knee on boiler plate ice with hardware in to might shatter it again (likely shatter it again?). If it were me and I lived near the slopes I might sneak in a few tame runs here and there as soon as I felt physically able to. But, I haven't had a wipe out in quite some time. I'm pretty certain I wouldn't fall on a blue unless someone clips me from behind or something crazy like that. Docs aren't going to factor in skiing at expert level when they recommend that you ski or don't ski.

I hope things go better for you very soon, saw some of your escapades in recovery via Bonni's thread so I'm a little in the loop.

Please see disclaimer above though before deciding to go or no go when feeling more solid on your feet.

Peace and Health!

CG

Next time pay Nunzio on time and you wont have any broken knee caps to worry about


Heal well.

I agree with crgilart. This is really a question to ask your physician.

A non-complicated long bone fracture, in a younger person generally takes, 6-8 weeks to mend. 8-12 weeks in an older person. Longer with osteoporosis, other complications.

The fact that hardware was used to pull the pieces back into alignment complicates things.

The bottom surface of the patella is 'V' shaped and covered with cartilage.

Bending the knees compresses the surface of the patella on the femur.

I would think that placing a skiing type load on your knee would create significant swelling and discomfort.

I would play this conservatively. Sorry to hear about your injury.

You should have listened to Johnnys Zoo. Patella-femoral syndrome is no fun, risking damage to the cartilage on that V-shaped surface isn't wise. Skiing in general, even on healthy knees is probably not worth the risk. I hope you had fun.

 

53 days. Yes, I'm jealous. Quit eating those sour grapes, you'll get a tummy ache. I hope tomorrow's surgery brings the improvement in your knee's condition that you are hoping for.

Well, if your knee cap is cracked, I guess there is a risk of the patella not tracking right in the femoral groove possibly resulting in damage to the cartilage. I'm not a doctor, I'm an internet troll. Did I mention I'm jealous? I was just kidding, basically, except the bit about hoping your knee feels better after the hardware is removed.

Great! Now quit breaking your bones already. You're getting a little old for that, don't you think? BTW, how did you break your kneecap?

Ugh, I know a cat 1 bike racer who tore his ACL getting up from sitting on the floor.  He's a messenger and has busted up a lot of other parts with more style, but you never know what can happen. He's fifty something already, like us, where does the time go? Getting old sucks, but it's better than the alternative. Road shoes, marble floor.

 

I'd blame the dizziness on the fog you get out there. Stay off the piste and in the trees, it's safer with all that fog up your way. 

 

Just my opinion of course. You've figured out the value of my advice by now I hope. Good thing I didn't see this thread in October, I might have planted some bad thoughts in your head. I'm glad you had a good skiing season despite your injury.

  I'm in same situation, I broke my knee cap 4 months past, still having problems, even the  walking, Doc says he wants to remove hardware and scare tissue in a month or so, if completely healed,

hamsting very weak, Don't know if that has anything to do with the difficulties I have , maybe some one else has same problem?

@Chilly - I'd suggest taking a look at this board if you have a chance: http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEtalk/index.php?board=21.0

 

It's a great site for advice and learning about the different experiences people have healing these kinds of injuries. I found it a real godsend after my ACL rupture, and it may be helpful for you too as there are lots of folk there with patella breaks/fractures/hardware etc. 

Not sure if I'm commenting on the right part of this thread, but I'm responding to the "feel great in the rain & crappy in the sun" quote.

 

Sounds like allergys to me.  I had the same issue and started doing weekly shot therapy about three months ago, and it's already working.  It's a pain to have to go in for a shot, but it is what it is .. a permanent approach to riding me of my allergies.

 

Best of luck to you,

- Brad 

I think you are pushing things. If you can't get up and down stairs smoothly, you aren't ready.

 

I am recovering from a tibial plateau fracture, which I sustained in March doing a super-G. After 8 months of hard rehab I think I will be able to ski this season, but I can now run 10km in 50 minutes and go up and down stairs two at a time. And I'm still quite nervous about skiing....

 

Mark

I broke my knee cap many years back. It wasn't as bad as yours, I didn't have any added hardware, mine wasn't a through fracture. It took me at least six months before I could do vigorous physical activity.  I was back at to skate park, it was summer, by 8 months and taking knee impacts with pads. If it's still bothering you work up to it slowly. I was starting to get really discouraged after about five months, I thought I was going to be messed up for life, then it seemed like over night it got better. Then it took about two months to re-strengthen the leg up again. Good luck!

mate my knee cap was snapped in half xmas 2006 i am in pain every day till now 2011 nov. cant run or walk properly. i thought most people were alright after several weeks....not me. i am a supersports bike rider not easy to fail or give up type of person. but its hell for me. pain killers help but dont cure anything. was told my never fully recover but refuse to belive that. the surgeon told me that. hope you get better fella. i had a dynamic hip screw op at same time still not back to normal but no where near as much pain to date as the knee. i cant work it out. can any one else shed some light for me.?