I figured it was time for a tibial plateau fracture update for all of you who follow my blog for this particular reason.
Not here for a fajita recipe amiright? But you totally should try that fajita recipe as soon as you’re able.
Speaking of recipes and cooking. Here I am preparing my first meal for us (homemade pizza sauce and dough) two months after my surgery. Literally almost four years to date as of July 14, 2021.
That was a huge deal because Terry was preparing all our meals in addition to working full time and essentially taking care of my every need.
I was able to sit in a chair and prepare everything. I lost so much weight during recovery and I have no idea why.
I wasn’t getting that much activity and eating sherbet every chance I got. I read that healing fractures burn mega calories so maybe that’s why. It’s called the Tibial Plateau Fracture Diet! But I don’t recommend trying it.
Being a food writer & recipe developer you can imagine how much I missed cooking and sharing my recipes with you during this time. So it was great to be back in the kitchen again.
So many small milestones to be grateful for. I still am to this day.
I hadn’t realized it’s been over two years since my last tibial plateau fracture recovery update. I guess it’s time for a new one. I’m glad the updates are so far apart these days.
When this injury happened it felt like time stopped in its tracks for a really long time.
We recently took a trip to North Carolina to visit my daughter and her fiancé for the Fourth of July weekend. My son and his wife, who live in Ohio drove to NC for the family meet up as well.
I can’t tell you how awesome it was to be with both kids at the same time. That doesn’t happen that often because we all live in different states.
Here we all are meeting up for dinner that Friday night. My daughter’s fiancé’s dad also joined us. His parents just bought a new home close by in SC and his dad was doing some work on the house. He had to fly back to Ohio the next morning however.
They did all visit us in Florida for my birthday back in February though and my son and his wife totally surprised me with a casual walk up at an outside beach restaurant after we picked up my daughter and her fiancé at the airport.
I totally let out a scream and cried. One of my best birthdays to date. A week of beach, pools, cocktails, and just all around good family fun!
He we are (again) in an impromptu drive to the Keys, bar hopping and eating our way through the islands, as it rained most of the day. Somehow it cleared up at sunset so we took the obligatory Keys sunset photo op.
Don’t worry my daughter’s fiancé was our designated safe driver. Relax and easy on the keyboard there Karens and Todds of the internet.
Tibial Plateau Fracture 4 Year Update:
I’m writing this update because something happened on that trip to NC that if you asked me to do 3 years ago, I’d tell you to go f*%k yourself.
No, I didn’t get back on a horse. As it stands right now, I’d tell you to go f*%k yourself.
I went whitewater rafting with my kids at the U.S National White Water Center. Before we left for the trip my daughter had mentioned going to the center and doing some activities like kayaking, zip lining etc.
I already knew I wasn’t going near the rapids or the zip line. I told Maria on the phone, “You can count me out of the whitewater rafting if you guys go. I’m not getting in a raft.”
Well I guess they figured if they fed me a couple of cocktails I’d loosen up and go. It worked. It seems to always work for Terry when he wants to get me in the ocean. I love the ocean but fear sharks.
It wasn’t the cocktails that persuaded me though. I asked myself how long am I going to let this injury rob me of having fun? And really, what were my chances of breaking my knee again on this particular raging water ride?
So I gave in and decided to take a chance. It would be the perfect opportunity to see how well my knee held up. I also felt confident that if I fell in, the guides and lifeguards along the rapids edge would save me.
Everything started out fine, especially with the first run of the rapids. Except when my face slammed into my oar going over one of the rapids.
Oh, and when our guide fell out of the raft and I almost sh*t my shorts thinking we were all going to die.
He surfaced and we helped him back onto the raft. Crisis averted!
On our second time around we hit hard and my leg slammed down in the raft. It hurt my knee a bit, but it held up just fine. I could easily forget about it.
What made me really forget about it was when the raft slammed into another rapid and I fell forward in the raft and mysteriously landed sitting Indian style. I couldn’t do that even now if you paid me.
I was later telling Terry about it and he said, “I know I saw when it happened and wondered how you got into that position.”
To which I replied: “Don’t go getting any ideas there Sparky, I’m not THAT flexible.”
On the third and final lap we took the other side of the rapids which was much rougher and scarier than the first side.
We kept getting stuck in this rapid vortex that we couldn’t paddle our way out of. We kept going round and round a spin cycle and the people along the river’s edge laughed and laughed.
I was getting so frustrated and just wanted someone to come save us. At one point I yelled “I wanna go home!” All the kids and Terry laughed but I was legit scared and tired and wanted off the ride.
Luckily, another boat of rafter’s got stuck like we did and we used their raft to our advantage to ricochet off of and propel ourselves out of the centrifugal force and paddled our happy asses into the sunset.
I was more than happy to get back on dry land but also proud of myself that I took a chance and survived.
The kids went on up to the zip line but I told them to go f*%k themselves, I was staying behind and I would wave to them as they zipped lined above me.
Terry stayed behind with me, acting like he was keeping me company, but his arthritic knees were shot at this point too and he wasn’t fooling me.
Getting old is fun folks!
Turns out the kids couldn’t zip line either because the ride had closed by the time they arrived. We called it a day and went to dinner.
The next day was the Fourth of July and we all went to Lake Norman for the day. My daughter had reserved a couple of boats for the day.
The first half of the day we had a little motor boat and cruised the lake as seen in the first photo above. I love that photo because it shows off my scar.
I hated my scar and my bungled leg in the beginning, but as I reached milestones I learned to accept and come to terms with my battle wound.
I’m being a bit dramatic, but yeah, I’ve learned to love my scar because it represents how far I’ve rebounded from an awful injury that made me re-examine my life.
The second half of the day we cruised around in a pontoon. During one final tour of the lake we stopped in front of Michael Jordan’s lake house (he was there by the way and outside with a few party guests or so the kids said, I didn’t really care) and my daughter jumped in the water off the top of the boat railing.
Then everyone else followed suit. They were all coercing me, the scaredy cat, to jump in. I don’t like to swim in water that I can’t see in. It just creeps me out in a What Lies Beneath sort of way.
Feeling victorious from the day before, I climbed up on the pontoon railing. I hesitated because it was so high. Probably a good 8 to 10 feet above the water but felt like 100.
Then I just went for it. As soon as I hit the water and resurfaced, I peed and got out. That was enough for me. I showed myself and the kids I wasn’t afraid. Plus, I had to pee.
The rest of the trip was activity free and we flew back home the next evening hoping Hurricane Elsa wasn’t going to hit us in Fort Lauderdale.
What else can I tell you about my knee? You can see in the first photo that the area just above my knee still suffers from a bit of muscle loss.
I don’t sweat it though and honestly, it’s not like I work on that area that much outside of walking.
Maybe if I weight trained that area I’d gain the muscle back. It doesn’t really bother me and in fact I didn’t really notice it until I looked closer at the photo.
People that read these posts often ask me if I’m able to run yet. Yes and no. I can run but it is uncomfortable and gimpy.
I’ve never really had to run far or fast so I still don’t know if I can do it. Maybe one day I’ll find out and let you all know.
I’m good with my daily 2.5 mile walks with Terry. I still suffer stiffness in my knee from time to time but I think my brain has adjusted to one good leg and one that’s “not-so-like” the good one.
It that makes sense. So when I walk, it’s normal but like a new normal because my brain has adjusted.
Severe pain is never really an issue, but I do have occasional days where my knee acts up for a whole day with little aches and pains. It resolves with rest.
I haven’t seen my Orthopedic Surgeon since he released me in September 2018. And I plan on keeping it that way for a while.
If you’re here reading this update, let me know where you are at in your recovery journey.
Any funny stories to share? I want to hear them because this injury can really get you down. We could all use a little bit of laughter.
7 months post op for my tibial plateau fracture. I had a lot of nerve damage in my accident. I still can’t feel the inside of my calf to down around inside my ankle when I touch it. It feels weird to see myself touching my leg but not being able to feel the touch. I know what you mean by the gimpy run. I have tried to jog a couple times and it’s not fun or pretty. Also lost a lot of muscle in the leg too. Trying to start getting that back as I’ve been hitting the gym for the past month. They also had to cut out half my calf muscle bc the incision area got infected.
I actually read your blog a lot while in the hospital. I spent about 30 days total in the hospital after my car accident, also breaking my back, half my head being split open, and so many bad lacerations so that’s why it was longer. Your blog helped me a lot because I had never even heard of the injury before and I wanted to know more about what to expect. So thank you for doing this!!
Hi Shea. I’m so sorry for your accident. Wishing you all the best and I’m glad you found my blog. Thanks for sharing your story. Sending healing thoughts your way.
Thank you so much for sharing – I am a mid 50’s, was very active, woman 😉 had my surgery 11 months ago after having a tib/fib plateau fracture and now have a steel rod down my leg and screws everywhere!!! My brief synopsis is, I had a little dog being attack by two bigger dogs and forgot my age and ran down a hill and jumped a fence…. Made it over but didn’t land correctly – ugh! Your story helps me to realize I am doing really good on this recovery process and to be patient and nice to myself!! Heck I just did a five hour walking site seeing tour in Chicago last week so I know I am but it is hard at times so “Thank you!!” Maybe in a couple years I will try the white water rafting as well!!!!
Look at you go Anne! Wish you all the best. Thanks for reading and sharing your story as well.
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s been a year since my surgery and reading your story helps understand how long the recovery process is. Still have stiffness in my knee and running is not an option right now, found that out yesterday. Best of luck to you and thank you again.
You’re very welcome Oscar. Thanks for reading and sharing your comment. I wish you the best in your continued recovery.
I just stumbled upon this blog tonight and so glad I did! I am 2 1/2 months post surgery and somehow thought I’d be back to normal after 3 months- my doc had said I’d be up and going after 3 months- he just didn’t tell me it would be a different ‘going’. I am 68 and had been very active so hoping I can get back to it ! My job requires a lot of driving ( 3+hr a day) and I am wondering if that will ever happen , Thanks for your realistic look at this injury and the positive spin to it- I think I could probably have gotten pretty bummed in the next 3 weeks but I know now it is a process. Thank You!
Hi Lynn. Yes, it’s going to be a “different” going than you’re used to. But going none the less and that is the important part. It’s a long recovery but it seems you have will and determination and I believe that is a huge part of our recovery process as well.
You’re still early on but have faith and hang in there. If it make you feel any better, I was riding comfortable in the car about 6 months post op. I can drive long distances now without any problems, except the normal “old lady” problems that I would have regardless of this injury.
Wish you all the best in your recovery.
Thank you so much for writing this blog. My fractures was a total freak accident. I am a young healthy active 26 year old. I am just about a week post-op from my surgery and was looking for insight and inspiration. Your blogs really lifted my spirits with the humor you added in. I know I have a long long road to recovery. Hopefully I will be back to playing sports and running in a year-year and a half. Once again thank you so much for documenting your journey!
HI Alyssa. So sorry to hear of your injury. You’re most welcome. I remember laying in my hospital bed trying to find out all I could about this injury and there just didn’t seem to be any first hand experience stories. I had to dig deep and hard on the google machine to find them, but I did. What I found did help lift my spirits and gave me hope.
I decided to write about my own journey to maybe help others that experienced the same feelings and unknown of so many things. Sure, all our recoveries are different and unique because of many factors, but also similar in many ways. Especially the mental and emotional aspect that is so attached to this injury.
Old or young, I think we all experience the same emotions. You have youth on your side and you seem determined and willing to do the work to get to your goal of running, and I bet you’ll get there!
Hang in there, it’s going to be a challenge and you’re going to have good and bad days, but you’ll get there. Be kind to yourself and accept all the help people offer. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help either. Wishing you all the best in your recovery.
Hi Alyssa, I’m 2 months post operation for my Tibial Plateau surgery. Xray looks a bit like Robocop! I’m 59, I did a lot of walking until one walk ended with two dogs running into me on Christmas Eve and me in a heap on the floor. Surgery was a week later, plate and seven screws. I’ve not been told what to expect long term so im glad i came across your blog. I do have really good Physios which is definitely a great help and such a boost. When they’re pleased with me I feel I might actually be getting somewhere. I do find the knee bending to 90 degrees quite scary sometimes, im only at 65 degrees at the moment.
Thanks for letting us in on your recovery, it’s nice to hear there’s life after Tib Plateau fracture.
Hello
Did you have any issue with the ligaments in your foot specifically Plantar Fascitis ? Or heel issues ?
Thanks
Dave
Hello Dave. Yes, I had a lot of foot pain when I began walking again. My foot was sore for several weeks before it subsided. I still get Plantar Fasciitis from time to time but it comes and goes. I’ve never been formally diagnosed with it, but I’m RN and have enough medical background to know that is what is probably going on. I can’t say I ever suffered with any heel issues at least that I remember, other than what I described when I first began walking.
Wish you all the best in your recovery.
Hi Sherri!
My name is Don. I’m from Long Island, NY. I’m 50 years old, I’m married, and I have one daughter that is 13. I came across your Blog after I did a search for Tibia Plateau Fracture (TPF).
It’s been very helpful and insightful reading your posts. They are honest, and it was the bitter truth I needed to see and hear. I just read this update for the first time today. It is absolutely great to hear and see your progress. It’s also nice to hear about your great family moments. It seems as if you have a fantastic family, and that you all help create some special moments.
I got in a motorcycle accident on July 31st 2021. I fractured my right Tibia Plateau and I tore/ruptured a tendon right below my kneecap.
On August 1st 2021 the surgeon at the hospital I was brought to the prior day put an external fixation device on me. In short, I woke up with bars connecting my upper leg to my lower leg with the bases of those bars sticking out of my leg and stretching my skin.
It was at that moment that I recognized that I really did a good job on my leg. I knew the road to recovery was going to be a long one. It was depressing. I did not care that my new motorcycle was totaled, or that I was cutoff by a driver of a car. At that point I was happy to be alive, but man, the new reality hit hard.
After a few days in the initial hospital, and meeting with surgeons, they (we) all decided that the best bet was that I get plates and screws in my leg just as you did. Unfortunately, I had to wait two weeks for the preferred surgeon, and I spent those two weeks in a Rehabilitation Center because I could not and would not put the burden on my wife to care for me at that stage. I was basically completely immobile, and the pain was overwhelming. It was only the pain meds and the brief interactions with staff members that got me through those first two weeks.
After that I was admitted to another hospital for the removal of the external fixation, and to have the brackets and screws inserted in my leg, which look almost identical to yours. I have two incisions on my leg. One, the larger one is on the right, and second and smaller one is on the left from the knee down. I almost forgot, I also have one about 2.5 inches in length just below the kneecap where they went in to fix the tendon.
I stayed in the hospital for a few days after the second surgery. I was allowed to go home one day after the surgery, but I elected yo stay for the pain management. Once again the pain was severe. It wasn’t always a steady pain, but more like aches and strange sensations, but with any movement, it was just pain.
I left the hospital in the 3rd week of August in a daze and fog. The only thing I felt good about is that I was going home, and I would be in my own bed and bedroom. At the same time, I definitely recognized that it was going to be tough on me and my wife being at home just because of the nature of the injury and the limitations it brings with it. Also know I left the hospital with a walker, and I was not comfortable with crutches, and my walker would not fit through our narrow bathroom door, now could I sit on the toilet (even with an extension) because of the type of brace I had on, which basically ran from my ankle, to my upper leg, almost to the groin. It made things interesting over the course of the next several weeks. Using a urinal and a bowl was not much fun no matter how good I got at it.
Before I continue, I’ll just say that everything you described regarding feelings and emotions I have experienced throughout August, and much of September. From August 1st – the 3rd week of September, it seemed as if time came to a halt. A minute felt like an hour, an an hour felt like a day.
A few weeks ago the incision on the interior part of my leg began to open up, and it looked like it was getting infected. My surgeon put me on a antibiotic, and when I saw him next, he decided to send me to a wound specialist. In short, the incision opened up due to the trauma to my leg and the nature of the injury, which included a lot of swelling and then draining. The incision/wound took on a life of it’s own, but it’s under control, and that is healing now.
It’s really only over the last ten – (10) or so days that I feel physically and emotionally better. I’m now about 7 weeks post surgery (2nd) and I’m allowed to start toe touching, and start bending my knee, which I could not bend before because of the tendon portion of the injury.
I was fitted for a new brace early this week (end of September), and I am now allowed to bend my leg and toe touch with approximately 10% – 15% of my body weight, with the anticipation that I will be “allowed” to walk by the end of October. I say allowed because that is the word my surgeon chose and I picked up on. Allowed does not necessarily mean able.
I was also prescribed Physical Therapy (PT), which was put off for me because of the tendon rupture. As soon as I was told I was able to start PT, I did just that, but so far I have done so on my own, which really consist of flexing muscles in my leg multiple times within multiple reps. I’m also doing a lot of ankle and foot exercises, which includes pulling on the bottom of my foot near the ball, below my toes with a belt. I basically stretch my foot upward, which is similar to toe touching the ground, but with a little more control and pressure. My doctor gave me the okay to do so.
Now that I am actually seeing and feeling progress, and my pain levels have greatly decreased, my overall outlook has increased. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Sherri, just as you wanted, all I want right now is to be able to walk again and gain independence once again. Now that the pain has subsided and the pain meds have not been used for two weeks or so, my spirit has, or at least is rebounding. I’m motivated to keep seeing and feeling progress daily. I don’t care about the scars. As you now recognize, they’re battle scars. In addition, I always has scars on my legs because I had multiple surgeries after I was born to correct clubbed feet. I can recall having casts on my legs as a young toddler, but that’s it. I’m sure it was hard for my parents, but I don’t recall.
Just as you have done, I wanted to share my story to help encourage others with a TPF. What I can tell others is that for the first 6 – 8 weeks, they just have to embrace the suck, because it does suck, but it is temporary. You have to go through the tunnel to get out of the tunnel. At some point one will see more light than they do darkness. That is where I am at.
There are a lot of people out there that have had a TPF, and they have overcome. One of them that I read up on, and was encouraged by was NFL player J.J. Watt. Although not many write about their injuries or experiences, they are out there. Sherri, you did a good thing by sharing your experience and by updating your Blog as you have. It gives people hope, and it let’s them know to believe that better days are ahead.
Can you tell that I have some pent up energy snd things to say? Fortunately Sherri, you shared a ton of information for people. I just wanted to share a bit of my experience, which I hope encourages others.
One question, did you ever end up getting the metal removed from your leg? My doctor told me that the removal desire and process is more of a cultural thing. He said that most leave the metal in, He specifically said that the Japanese culture tends to want the metal removed. I asked him if I would ever feel it, and I was told I would not. Personally, if I don’t feel it, they can leave it it because I don’t want another operation.
Thanks again for sharing your information and experiences. It’s appreciated. All the best to you and your family!
Hi Don. I’m so sorry you had to join this club, but I enjoyed reading your journey/recovery story to date. The tunnel was the perfect analogy. You gotta go through it to come out the other side. No way around it.
Yes, I ended up having my hardware removed on the lateral side of my knee. My Ortho surgeon didn’t want to remove the hardware he put in behind my knee because he said there is a lot of vascular anatomy to traverse and he said it took a long time to put in and he wasn’t messing with it and I’d just have to learn to live with it. Honestly, that hardware doesn’t bother me at all, but the hardware on the outside of my knee just felt weird and I wanted it out, and I’m glad I had it removed. I felt a difference immediately.
Thanks for reading the blog and sharing your story. I’m sure others always appreciate a different perspective.
I wish you all the best in your continued recovery.
Awesome and inspiring story, thank you for sharing. I broke my tibia, extending in to my tibial plateau, and broke my femur in a motorcycle accident. The femurnwas fixed with an internal nail through the bone, top to bottom, yet causes me surprisingly little grief… That’s made up for by my TPF fracture however. I’m 5 months post op now, and back on my feet walking short distances, a mile or so. I’ve suffered a lot of muscle loss and I’m currently working to regain the losses. The only real pain I have now seems to eminate from the hardware itself, but I’m way too early in the recovery process to consider removal… Although I’d say it is on the cards. The cold days are beginning to set in now, and I’ve noticed a definite stiffness come with that…. Still, it could be sooo much worse. Sometimes you have to be thankful.
Thanks again for sharing, your blog has been incredibly helpful.
Hi Ian. So sorry you had to join the TPF club. Hang it there, it will get better. I’m still making muscle gains even at 4 years out.
I wish you all the best in your recovery.
Thank you for sharing. I am woman in my 50s and I suddenly lost my husband of 30 years to sudden cardiac death last November. He died six days after moving to a new state. Our kids are all grown. So my dog became my best companion and while at the dog park in April a large dog just didn’t see me and barreled into me.. welcome tibial plateau fracture! Well I have to say I never knew pain like that pain! I wasn’t crying for my husband then I was crying because of the pain and it was bad. Thank God I found your blog and it did give me some hope while I. The hospital and rehab. I am now seven months post op and finally walking although still limping. I also will be needing a knee replacement in about four months because arthritis has suddenly got bad as well. But like you I have such a new understanding of the need for accessible services for people with physical challenges. It is difficult out there when you have limitations! I am so thankful I can walk at least and thank you again for sharing your experience.
Rona, I’m so very sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. I’m also sorry for your injury, but glad you found my posts. How traumatic to go through both so close together.
I wish you all the best in your future surgeries and continued recovery. Peace and blessings.
I am so thankful I stumbled across you blog posts about your TPF. I’m a 55 year old female. Back on September 19, 2021 I was walking across a restaurant parking lot and tripped over one of the concrete parking stops. I put my stupid mask on after exiting the car and couldn’t see the stop due to poor peripheral vision with the mask on. As I was falling, I felt my left knee snap; but my long time skating instincts from childhood kicked in and I tucked and rolled. Probably saved me from a broken wrist, arm or hip also. I was taken to the ER and told I dislocated the knee and had a broken tibia. They did the reduction for the dislocation in the ER and was told I would be admitted and would need surgery to fix the break.
The next day they took me to surgery and I awoke to an external fixator and excruciating pain. The Orthopedist was able to do a closed reduction and since he was able to perfectly align the bone he opted against the plates and screws. I was in the hospital for six days. I wore that external fixator until November 3, 2021 when he surgically removed it and I was then placed in a non-mobile brace and given instructions for no weight bearing. I saw him on December 7, 2021 and got the go ahead to start some easy stretches and mobility exercises and I could put 10-20 pounds of pressure on my foot. Yeah right! The knee didn’t hurt, it was my foot that protested the most.
It is now January 4, 2022 and the bone is totally healed. The doctor has given me the thumbs up on full weight on my leg now (with the walker or crutches) and a prescription to start physical therapy. Yay! Or so I thought. That foot still is screaming, “NO”. I can’t get it flat to the ground yet and the knee still won’t straighten out totally. It feels like my leg is an inch shorter than the other leg. I’ve got mobility to 90 degrees now bending it though, so that is a start. I have three more months before they will consider releasing me back to work.
I worry that I may need an actual surgery to repair tendons, ligaments etc. and the thought of going through that much pain again scares me tremendously. Like you I felt and feel like I will never walk again, at least not 4-10 mile hikes like I was doing regularly. Heck, I just went to Yosemite for 13 days this past summer for the first time. I want to do more and I’m afraid it won’t happen. You have given me hope for the first time in the three months that I have endured so far. This injury has really humbled me and has made me so thankful that it wasn’t worse.
(duplicated post, please remove my first post.)
This is probably the 5th time I’m reading your TPF posts. I had my ORIF surgery just last November 17 after my tibial plateau got depressed when I forcefully stomped on the floor. It wasn’t a big accident or fall or something like that…I just stomped on the ground and I felt I was still young at 43. Up until now, I still do not know if my decision to allow ORIF surgery was a sound decision, but at that time the doctor told me about it, I didn’t have enough information in hand so I just went ahead with it. I’m currently undergoing therapy for ROM but am still not allowed to bear weight 8 weeks post op.
Well, I just want to express my gratitude for all your TPF posts. I am based in Korea and with the doctor hardly speaking English and I speaking non-medical Korean, your posts provided much information and relief. You’re right, amidst all the “get well soon” messages I’ve been receiving, the most comforting words of encouragement could only come from the people who had to go through the same experience. Seeing how you’ve triumphed over this physically, mentally and socially debilitating condition, I feel so inspired that I too will one day get through all these. You just don’t know how much your blog posts way back from 2017 helped somebody in 2022 and from the other side of the world. Again, thank you very much.
Hi Sherri,
Your blog has been a God send for me. I am 67 years old and I fell off an electric bike on August 14, 2021. The break to my tibia plateau was consistent with what the surgeons see in a car accident. I spent 17 days in the hospital. I had to have an external fixater in place for 12 days and another 5 days after the second surgery. The second surgery the surgeon put in 2 plates ,16 screws and some bone grafting to stabilize the break. (I had to chuckle at the response from your surgeon when you asked how many screws you had , my surgeon told me I didn’t want to count screws.) I had no idea what to expect! Sharing your experience gave me hope and encouragement. I decided to keep a journal and just the other day, I was feeling very down and read an entry from a month ago when I could barely take a few steps. A month later and just a little over 5 months since my accident and I am walking though with a limp and not as much stamina as I would like but I know is going to improve. I have a stationary bike which I use and I have been doing the physical therapy exercises I was given by my therapist, regularly . I have had some dark days! This is a long hard journey and honestly I don’t think I would have gotten through them without having access to your experience and advice . I do have lots of support from my husband and family but it isn’t quite the same as being able to relate to others who are experiencing the hardship of a break like this. Take care!
Folks be careful on those electric bikes, they weigh 60 to 70 lbs
OMgosh! So sorry for your injury. I was recently thinking about getting and e bike. I’ve ridden one before post my accident and it did cross my mind as to what kind of damage I could do if I fell.
It’s a great idea to keep a journal. Looking back at some of my posts now, I can really see how far I’ve come. Most of that stuff is a distant memory now and I’m doing really well.
I wish you all the best in your recovery and glad you found my posts helpful.
Hi! I just read your tpf posts. I’m curious what type you had and if you had to have ORIF surgery? I fell 8ft when our attic floor broke beneath me and ended up with a type 6 tpf, proximal fibular nondisplaced fracture and torn meniscus (lateral). Your journey has given me some hope. I’m only 3 weeks po. I spent 2 weeks in an external fixator. No pt until at least 8 weeks per my os. I’m desperately wanting to get back down to Florida to see my daughter and grandsons. I’m so glad to see that you have your life back. This journey has been horrible for me.
Hi Amanda. I had a type 5 and had an external fixator placed first then ORIF surgery. I had some of my hardware removed a year after my accident. The remaining hardware I have in doesn’t bother me at all. Hang in there, you’re in the early stages but you’re going to get through it. They’ll be good days and bad days. I wish you all the best in your recovery.
Hello Sherri. Thank you so much for your blog. This Monday I suffered a type 2 tibial plateau fracture with depression. The accident happened on Monday and surgery happened that Friday. Your blog is seriously a life saver not just for me but so many others who immediately start typing on google to try and find answers. Your blog is so therapeutic and omg you are an amazing writer. It only happened on Monday but I have already read your blog twice. I was on my phone reading every word and then every comment on my couch in the hospital and even now. Its like a support group. I am 41 years old and I have one plate and three screws. I just hope I can get back to my normal life of walking, driving, dancing. Stupid questions I know but
– Four years out are you able to go dancing and clubbing again?
– If you do, are you able to work out and weight train again?
– Are you back to driving?
You probably get all these questions all the time and I apologize but im at the stage where it just happened and freaking out =)
Hi JimmyJay. Sorry for your injury. To answer your specific questions.
1.) Yes, I can most certainly dance. Not that I frequent clubs or every went clubbing per se, I certainly can if I wanted too.
2.) The most weight training I do is kettlebell and weights less than 20 lbs. Not because I couldn’t if I wanted to. I just stick to what I did before my injury.
3.) I was back driving as soon as I was walking again. About 4 months out.
Hang in there. It gets better with time, exercise and most of all a great and positive attitude. I know it can be discouraging at times, especially in the early stages, but things will improve with time.
Wish you all the best.
Sherri,
Greetings from England!
i am now 5 and half months post injury and have been reading your posts throughout, especially during those first early, endless weeks on the settee. I want to thank you for your honesty and good humour throughout the stages of your recovery. I agree completely every recovery journey is unique, but it has been useful and reassuring to know one’s own struggles are not. Thanks to your sharing your experience, I can look ahead to further improvements in the months and years to come.
Sorry for your injury Meg. Exactly, our injuries are unique but struggles & fears both rational and irrational are common among us. I wish you all the best in your continued recovery.
Thank you all for your post. I fell off a ladder and suffered a TPF of both legs. I had external fixators on both legs for about 3 weeks and then had surgery to place all my new hardware. Two plates and 8 screws in both legs. I am 3 months post accident and have been full weight bearing for 3 weeks today. I am able to take about 100 steps with my walker and can navigate about 12 steps right now. I get tired quick, my legs swell, and I am an emotional basket case. My priorities in life have definitely changed. I’m not exactly sure what I expected but the healing process is slower than I would like for it to be. Your post is encouraging, sometimes I honestly don’t see the light at the end of this tunnel.
Michael, Oh my goodness, one is bad enough, I can’t imagine two at the same time. What a warrior you are. Yes, it is definitely a very slow healing process and takes years to get to a point where you don’t have to think about it almost every minute of every day.
I really wish you all the best in your recovery. I’m so sorry that happened to you. Hang in there, there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.
I am just starting this journey and it was truly helpful to read your blog to prepare myself. My injury occurred when my dogs were running around with a neighbor’s dog and their 50-lb dog ran head on into my leg. I tried to turn away but that probably caused more damage. I have surgery scheduled for Tuesday, March 1,2022 and I am really scared but trying to remain positive.
I am going to school for my Master’s degree and working full-time, so I am hoping to go back to working remotely a little sooner than you did. Can I ask why you were not released for almost 8 weeks? I was hoping to start working after a couple of weeks. Also, I was given a week off from school, but I may have to reevaluate this as well. I would appreciate your feedback on this as well.
I am also around the same age as you, just turned 50 in November, so I am concerned that my recovery will take longer due to age and not being very athletic, but hoping for the best. To top things off, we are starting a home remodel, so our house is in disarray. Anyways, just trying to make the best of it. Thanks again for sharing your journey and I hope mine goes well but I know it will not be easy. By the way, I Google way too much and try to diagnose myself and my boyfriend tells me to stop doing it!
He Sheree, by now, I’m sure you realize this is a very traumatic injury and the damage that was done to our knees needs a very specific healing time before we can put any amount of weight back on our legs. It was about 3 months before I walking again and it took me several weeks of rehab after 50% weight bearing to get to that point.
Hang in there, it gets better. I wish you all the best in your recovery.
Hello I just found your blog tonight. I have a tpf due to my great dane running at a high speed into me. I’m a little over a year out and am now beginning to get major stiffness and swelling and pain in my knee and the hardware area. I also got drop foot from this so muscle wasting is happening like crazy. Plus I’m numb from knee down to ankle from shin out. I do have an appointment with my surgeon to discuss new discomforts. But I’m curious did you have hardware and if so have any issues?
Hi Pippy, I’m so sorry for your injury. Yes, I did have hardware with partial removal. My surgeon decided to leave the hardware he placed from behind my knee because he said it was too vascular and it’s staying there forever. He did remove the hardware on my outer (lateral) knee one year after my injury and I’m telling you it made such a difference for me mentally and physically.
The hardware that is still in doesn’t cause me any issues at all.
I wish you all the best.
Hi Sherri,
Someone shared your blog on a TBF facebook group page. I immediately clicked the link and I’m so glad I did! Your story is so inspiring. I appreciate your transparency and humor.
My TBF will be one year on May 2nd. I fell off my bike. My wheel got stuck on railroad tracks and down I went. You shared several key takeaways in your ( 10 and 14 month post recovery).. one of them being “do not let
fear paralyze you” . I have not. I’ve been back on my bike since 7 months post op. I was cleared by my surgeon to ride. I was riding with a slight limp because I could not let fear win this battle.
I workout almost everyday (I did so pre injury as well.. even in the beginning of COVID-19). Old man winter came and the state of New Jersey winters are bad. My leg was so tight and stiff that it took me about an extra hour to get my day started. I honestly didn’t have any “bad” days until winter. I’m ashamed to admit it but I started to hate my new normal. I started negatively talking down to me.. it was rough until one day I came across a photo of me in the beginning of my recovery and I remembered how far I came. I often remind myself that live is to be lived regardless of this injury. I’m living it too.. and your blog reminds me to keep going.
I miss running – I have attempted and I look weird lol I also look crazy going up and down the stairs. I live on the first floor in a apartment complex.. the only steps that I have are in the building hallway. I work on steps everyday because if I’m ever on a upper level and need to exit a building — I want to be sure I can get down those steps with no problem.
Thanks for sharing your journey and Thanks for reading my post.
Jen xoxo
Jen, I’m so sorry for your injury. Happy to hear you’re on the mend though and found your way here. It’s so funny you added this particular comment. Reason being my partner and I were on our new e-bikes today and I was whizzing around town on it with just about zero fear, and at one particular moment, I realized, hey, I remember when I was afraid to ride my bike after my injury and look at me now.
With each year that passes my injury becomes a distant memory. Don’t get me wrong, I still have days where my knee reminds I had the injury, but it is nothing that hinders me from moving on with my life and I assure you, I am living my best life.
I’m coming up on my 5 year a-kneeversay and I’m grateful to have come this far and healed this well.
I wish you all the best. I actually am in that Facebook recovery group as well, it’s what got me through the early days of my recovery. Hang in there, you may just run again. I can run if I need to, but running was never really my thing.
I am a 52 year old mother of three (26-30), a five year-old grandson, and another grandson on the way! I broke my tibia plateau downhill skiing for three seconds on the bunny hill on my first weekend off since the pandemic began. I haven’t heard or read anyone else’s story and it is truly glorious to read the story of someone else who is struggling with a similar situation. I am still non-weight bearing and just received release to start physio for range of motion this week. It’s terrifying but also potentially exciting! But yeah … life just stopped.
Kimberly, I’m so sorry to hear about your injury and wish you all the best in your recovery. Congratulations on your grandson on the way. I have my first granddaughter due in July and so looking forward to that.
Hang in there, it’s a long journey but gets better with each passing day.
I broke my tibia on February 4th 2019 due to a horrific car accident, I had surgery that same day and had to come for a check up every two weeks they released me in May of 2019… Here we are almost 3 years later my knee is in so much pain its enormously swollen, full of fluid at least I think it’s fluid….it looks deformed and at times I can’t even walk.. I can bend it but not all the way at times it is so stiff that I’m not even able to walk .it looks like the bones may have healed crooked… And my knee looks like I have two knee caps on one knee… I’m still on pain management because I cannot bear the pain I had to stop working because I couldn’t handle standing/walking for that long.I have called a new orthopedic doctor and should be expecting a call back sometime this week… The past 3 years has been nothing but hell for me, from pain… I cannot run I can’t skip I can’t jog I can’t jump I just want my life back…. That didn’t consist of pain like this…
It’s not an easy injury to recover from and some have more difficulties than others. I’m so very sorry for all your pain and troubles. I hope things get better with a new orthopedic. I wish all the best.
I am four months post op from surgery after breaking my tibia plateau falling from my ebike. A simple accident with complicated results. I love to walk and it is hard to come to terms with the fact that I may never off-track pack hike again. I’ve decided that kayaking will be my new thing, if walking just doesn’t improve enough. Limping, stiff, sore and feeling like I have a lead weight in my knee. Your blog has given me trust that while life might never be exactly the same again it will be good.