Who here has had a knee re-construction or something similar?

[Conners]

I'm 22 years old and i've had 3 knee surgeries in total.

My first knee reconstruction was when I was 9 years old on my left knee. For no reason my left knee cap just seemed to pop out on occasion and I had a very loose ACL.

 

I was fine after that but when I was 15 I popped my right knee out in gym class. My class was playing dodge ball and we were on the gym floor in socks and a guy in my class ditched the ball very hard and it hit my knee the wrong way, slipped and fell and it popped out. I vaguely remember it been stuck out of place and me pushing it back in because I was in shock. After that it kept popping out and I could not run anymore without it doing so. It was happening periodically but when I was 20 it just kept happening more and more so I got a reconstruction done on that knee.

 

The recovery on that knee didn't seem to go well. My range of motion was very limited and couldn't bend my leg very far after 6 months and it was still swollen. I had gone to physio and did everything that was asked. I still couldn't run, it would ache when it was cold, couldn't go on top during sex (lol). So September last year my surgeon did a tidy up surgery on it and now I seem to be ok. I have motion back in my leg fully and I've been going to the gym to strengthen my leg. However I still can't run.. I'm not sure if it's a mental block. I've tried to do it and it ends up been an awkward jog.. I don't know how to overcome this.. :S

[Eau Claire]

Your patella issues follows a common pattern. The most seen age group...one knee then a few years later, the other. Parents bring their teens in to ER. Usually sports related in boys and 'just happens ' in girls.

 

No surgery is 'routine' but yours is as close as it comes. I assume you had little tissue damage despite the dodgeball incident ( unlike major trauma from a sports injury). Your problem was mostly genetic.

 

Anyways. Listen to your doctor but odds are you will be fine. More or less normal. No disease or major tears. Perhaps a bit of scarring but minimal. Knee issues can be a nightmare to figure out but not in your case. What's really good is you are in 'known territory' with good outcomes.

 

Physio may help this time but don't hesitate to change the physiotherapist if you have doubts. A good one should be listening to you and not just the other way around.

Edited January 30, 2014 by Eau Claire

[Arieswoman]

However I still can't run.. I'm not sure if it's a mental block. I've tried to do it and it ends up been an awkward jog.

 

You need to be discussing this with your physio and working together on a treatment plan than will address this. If this isn't happening then you need to think about changing your health-care professional.

[Conners]

You need to be discussing this with your physio and working together on a treatment plan than will address this. If this isn't happening then you need to think about changing your health-care professional.

 

Yeah I have. She's the same age as me because we found out we have mutual friends. She just tells me to keep trying and to trust that my knee won't pop out.

I might try a different physio.

[seekingpeaceinlove]

I've had 2 knee surgeries.

 

1st surgery - Right knee: When I was 14 - gymnastics

2nd surgery - Left Knee: When I was 16 - volleyball

 

At 19 I tore a cartilage in left knee while dancing in a club (lol, yes this really happened) and at 30 I tore a cartilage in right knee during martial arts training.

 

For me, the recovery was more about the psychological aspect and less physical. I was terrified to exert any serious pressure on the knees.

 

It took about 2 years after my 2nd surgery in order to feel good jogging and then a LONG time after that to have enough strength and confidence in order to jump. My sister also had reconstructive surgery on her right knee after a rock climbing accident 2 years ago. She's back to running and rock climbing today!

 

I can say now @ 33 years old, my knees aren't the best and it hurts to kneel down and walk down stairs but I can run and sprint with no problem. I'm even able to do jump kicks in my martial arts...and trained enough to earn a black belt. You will recover..just takes a while.

 

Just continue to strengthen the muscles around your knees and go from speed walking to a slow light jog the to running and eventually sprinting.

 

Be patient and consistent with your therapy.

Edited January 31, 2014 by seekingpeaceinlove