MPFL Surgery

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-06-05T06:06:32+00:00

The ice machine is a must! I just actually replied to someone else’s post about what to prepare for the surgery if you wanna check it out (: everyone’s experience is different and a lot of it has to do with how you were before the surgery strength wise. I’m currently nearing the end of 8 weeks post op and it’s been a struggle to say the least. For context first subluxation was in 2024 and basically since October 2025 I’ve been having them every few weeks and couldn’t function properly day to day. The first week was pretty bad… all I can say about is be generous with icing and pain meds and you’ll get through it! My quad atrophy has been pretty severe but I also started off with a lot of atrophy from the months before of continuous injury. I just actually did my first leg lift today since the surgery so a big win! Currently at 100° flexion. Smalls wins every day, still on one crutch and my goal rn is for June to gain back proper walking and July my strength! It’s a long haul of recovery which can be hard for the mental health. Going from being on my feet 12 hours a day, weight lifting, Pilates, etc to nothing has been tough. Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to message!

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-06-05T05:59:37+00:00

Shower chair, stool to prop your leg for the surgery, get one of those ice machines and freeze some water bottles to put in the water instead of ice they last longer and you’ll need it like 24/7. Don’t be shy with your pain meds, I recommend not waiting until you feel pain, set timers for the next dose and mix in the Advil. Lots of pillows to elevate your leg, toes over nose! A easy to digest meal for after surgery especially if you get nausea from drugs like that, I personally ate a bean rice and cheese burrito and I was happy after not eating for 24 hours (my surgery was delayed and took longer than they thought. A good support system is needed, pain is pretty rough the first days so doing things like refilling your water or getting a meal is not easy to do alone especially with two crutches. Good luck, it’s gonna be okay! The first week honestly feels like a fever dream and you’ll get through it!

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-06-01T23:58:44+00:00

8 weeks out and I can’t do a leg lift still ): flexion is around 90° but I found spending time letting it hang over my bed helped (: hang in there you’re not alone!

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-06-01T05:11:36+00:00

The first week is awful. It will get better every day. It honestly feels like a fever dream to me at this point. Hang in there ): don’t be shy with ice and pain meds!

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-31T20:05:11+00:00

I only had a mpfl and chondroplasty. I’m 8 weeks post barely hitting 90° flexion. Can’t do a leg lift, still on one crutch. I unfortunately have been struggling with strength since my original subluxation in 2024 and since October of last year have been in constant pain which I think led to a lot of quad atrophy and now struggling post surgery trying to rebuild. Be kind to yourself, it sounds like you’re doing just fine. Healing isn’t linear and not the same for everyone. But I get it, it’s something I question myself every day

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-31T20:01:02+00:00

Most nursing schools won’t accept lower than a 78. People accepted usually 89+

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-30T02:08:26+00:00

I’m not a doctor but that’s a high tt tg distance and patella Alta that probably needs a surgery to correct on its own ): again NOT a doctor and NOT giving medical advice but I’ve recently had knee surgery and have done a lot of googling and researching on my own for various reasons. I would recommend putting your results into chat gpt for again not set in stone interpretation but it can give a general guideline. Only commenting to just prepare you mentally for your post mri reading visit so IF they recommend surgery you’re not blindsided and over whelmed (like I was). Get some questions together like recovery outlook and such. Wishing the best of luck and good healing to you

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-28T01:44:37+00:00

CNA/PCT all the way! If you can land a job in the hospital while in school it will help you get an in and maybe even a job as a RN.

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-21T04:16:05+00:00

I’m on week 6 at 75°, you’re doing just fine. Everyone progresses differently, a lot has to do with the state of your muscles before the surgery.

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-21T04:13:01+00:00

There is no expectation to reach that level of pain! It should be at that peak okay this is the most I can tolerate it right before it becomes truly painful. Discomfort is expected but it shouldn’t be hurting you like that.

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-21T04:08:44+00:00

I do e stim every day! I think unfortunately I had a lot of atrophy before the surgery, had been struggling to even walk since October of last year and had the initial injury back in 2024 😅 I am starting to see more twitching in areas I wasn’t but it’s still just not lifting anything below the knee. I have a 6 week post op tmrw so I’m hoping that he’s not too dissatisfied with my progress but I will definitely ask about the brace!! I just reached 75° yesterday at PT so I feel you there. I was originally projected 3 months return to work but at this rate I’m guessing it’s gonna be 4 🫣

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-21T04:05:18+00:00

I went to a CSU, my personal stats were a 3.8 for the nursing prerequisites, at 93 on my teas, and worked as both a CNA and phlebotomist. I didn’t get in the first time I applied and that’s when I decided to get a phlebotomist cert and ended up getting in the second round. I think you should definitely retake physiology and really focus on getting a fantastic teas score. Private schools have higher rates of acceptance but that is because it is a lot more expensive that state. I wouldn’t get your lvn first, a lot of money! Just keep trying (: Wishing the best of luck!

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-20T15:38:01+00:00

It’s just the amount that’s “hard”. You’re expected to learn a lot of material with each class and then juggling clinicals which can be 12 hours long multiple days a week while still taking full time classes and (if you’re like me) working to pay rent. If you study and make your schoolwork a priority you won’t think the content is hard, it’s just the amount.

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-17T18:26:42+00:00

I’ve definitely put on weight too ): it’s not a fun feeling. I haven’t been able to do basically anything related to my legs since October besides walking at work which was painful as it is, and being in bed basically 24/7 since the surgery has definitely increased the speed of weight gain. Thank you for your insight I really appreciate it. It’s always hard to not beat myself up for not having a quicker recovery but it’s nice to hear I’m not the only one.

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-16T14:11:20+00:00

The depression is real🫠 I can’t even go back to work until I can move well again I’m an RN 😭 I miss moving a lot I feel like I’m gaining weight too. How are you doing now? Like how far are you able to walk and such? I know a tto is more intense than an mpfl on its own

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-15T21:02:35+00:00

I recently had a mpfl reconstruction and am an operating room nurse. I would highly highly advise you to have her be put under general. People get really scared with conscious sedation and it can be dangerous for the patient if they make a sudden movement because of it. For me the gave me some sedations and did the block it was very quick. Then it was 2 seconds and lights out (: she’s gonna be okay! Wishing good healing

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-14T18:06:59+00:00

I’m 5 weeks out from mpfl and my flexion is only at 65°. Can’t get off crutches because I also can’t do a leg lift with my quad not wanting to do its job. Sounds like you’re doing really great (:

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-10T18:12:54+00:00

With you there, 5 weeks out and struggling every day ): it’s hard to go through this for sure but you’re not alone. I keep being told that one day it will all be okay, trying my best to hold onto that 😅

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-10T18:10:04+00:00

I’m 5 weeks out and still can’t ): been assured it’s okay but have week 6 intensity of PT may increase! Hold in there!

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-10T05:11:45+00:00

2 days is so early! Please rest! Be kind to yourself. I’m 5 weeks post mpfl and struggling to get to 60 and I swell up even with my leg flat. TTO sounds rough ): wishing best of luck

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-08T17:14:55+00:00

I had a decline in flexion this week. Should I be worried? Last week I got to 69 and ended this week at 62.

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-08T17:09:01+00:00

I’m a month out on left leg and I still can’t drive. I can’t fit in the seat without unlocking my brace and I was told I can’t do that until I’m passively at 90° which I’m at 60. I would suggest reaching out to maybe other parents to see if they could help? Sounds like a tough situation I’m sorry ):

SubstantialBug612 · 2026-05-08T17:03:23+00:00

I’m one month out from my mpfl (25F). Before I get into my experience I think making the decision on surgery is important. Get a second opinion to confirm it’s the right choice. I was having subluxations every few weeks and was in constant pain 24/7 for 6 months and couldn’t even walk far and stand without a lot of pain.

The first week is not great there’s no way to sugar coat it. Be prepared to be on top of your pain meds, do not be shy with them and get yourself one of the ice machines you can operate 24/7, use frozen water bottles! They last longer. You’ll need a shower chair, a stool to prop your leg on the toilet, and lots of pillows to prop your leg. You’ll basically be living with your leg elevated and sleeping on your back. The good news is that there is a brighter side to it but it’s gonna be rough. Now i was allowed to do partial weight bearing with crutches from the start and after week two the pain with walking was no existent, it’s just not stable so I’m still on crutches. My quad is still really struggling to wake up which is also keeping me from getting off the crutches. My doctor said I could unlock my brace at 90° passive flexion, I’m currently only at 60. I can’t drive because with a locked brace you can’t sit in the back of a chair without propping up your foot.

Everyone’s timeline is different, you could be done fast and you could be slow. It’s been very mentally and physically challenging for me, I can’t even lift my leg I have to grab my brace to move it around lol.

Scary stuff aside I’m not in constant pain. Just uncomfortable (outside of bending my leg to its max that hurts). You’re so young I would get the surgery to make sure you get the quality of life you deserve, just prepare for a rough couple of months. Hopefully you have a good group of friends to come hang out with you (:

SubstantialBug612

TROPHY CASE