Linzijane18
Diva in Training
I thought I would write my first post related to my fractured tibial plateau..... hopefully it may help and support others who have been through this injury.
My ski edge caught an icy bank on a narrow 'blue' path on the last day of our holiday (Friday 13th April) in Meribel, France. My ski flipped over and my left knee twisted violently. My ski was not released from my binding but I wan't in pain - which was odd. I was taken to the medical centre in a blood wagon to be told I had seriously fractured my lateral tibial plateau. I was shocked and upset. Skiing is my passion. I am 59 and thought that my skiing days were now over. This was the first injury in 43 years skiing............I was flown back to the UK for surgery (my choice) as I wanted a knee surgeon with an excellent reputation to do my surgery. I had the op a few days later which involved bone graft from my illiac crest (pelvis) taken to patch up my fractured tibial plateau. I have a metal plate and 9 screws in my knee / tibia. I was determined to get back to walking normally first before considering skiing again. Short, achievable goals over several months is how I have been able to cope with the upset and management of my injury. I attended regular PT sessions and did my exercises several times a day at home. My PT was very pleased with my ROM and muscle strengthening. I am now doing a rehabilitation programme at the local gym to strengthen my lower body - quads, gluts, calves etc. I am doing leg presses, sitting / standing / stepping with weights, cross trainer, spinning bike and treadmill for walking uphill. I also attend aquafit for my hydrotherapy and yoga. My surgeon is delighted with my progress and has given me the 'go ahead' to ski in December. He does not recommend a knee brace for support as he thinks it is better just to build up good muscle strength prior to the trip. I intend to spend the first morning with an instructor in December and build up my confidence slowly. I am feeling anxious and am worried about falling on my injured leg. However, I am gong to be sensible and just to a little each day, starting on green runs and building up to blue etc.
I think there are three important things that determine how successfully you can ski again after this injury and these are: having a good surgeon, doing your PT and exercises to build up your ROM and fitness and having a positive and optimistic outlook on skiing again! Thank you for reading I will let you know how I get on in December.
My ski edge caught an icy bank on a narrow 'blue' path on the last day of our holiday (Friday 13th April) in Meribel, France. My ski flipped over and my left knee twisted violently. My ski was not released from my binding but I wan't in pain - which was odd. I was taken to the medical centre in a blood wagon to be told I had seriously fractured my lateral tibial plateau. I was shocked and upset. Skiing is my passion. I am 59 and thought that my skiing days were now over. This was the first injury in 43 years skiing............I was flown back to the UK for surgery (my choice) as I wanted a knee surgeon with an excellent reputation to do my surgery. I had the op a few days later which involved bone graft from my illiac crest (pelvis) taken to patch up my fractured tibial plateau. I have a metal plate and 9 screws in my knee / tibia. I was determined to get back to walking normally first before considering skiing again. Short, achievable goals over several months is how I have been able to cope with the upset and management of my injury. I attended regular PT sessions and did my exercises several times a day at home. My PT was very pleased with my ROM and muscle strengthening. I am now doing a rehabilitation programme at the local gym to strengthen my lower body - quads, gluts, calves etc. I am doing leg presses, sitting / standing / stepping with weights, cross trainer, spinning bike and treadmill for walking uphill. I also attend aquafit for my hydrotherapy and yoga. My surgeon is delighted with my progress and has given me the 'go ahead' to ski in December. He does not recommend a knee brace for support as he thinks it is better just to build up good muscle strength prior to the trip. I intend to spend the first morning with an instructor in December and build up my confidence slowly. I am feeling anxious and am worried about falling on my injured leg. However, I am gong to be sensible and just to a little each day, starting on green runs and building up to blue etc.
I think there are three important things that determine how successfully you can ski again after this injury and these are: having a good surgeon, doing your PT and exercises to build up your ROM and fitness and having a positive and optimistic outlook on skiing again! Thank you for reading I will let you know how I get on in December.
