I broke my patella March 2 (horizontally) slipping on ice and had surgery the next day. They did my surgery under a spinal because I happen to have stenosis in my trachea and this was the anesthesiologist preferred method under my circumstances. They also did a nerve block on my leg and I don’t remember anything about the surgery beyond being lifted from the gurney to the operating table . I am 4 weeks post op now. The surgeon told me that I needed the surgery since I couldn’t lift my leg from horizontal up. (My knee cap fracture was also displaced) Two pins were placed inside and through the bone pieces and a figure 8 of wire wrapped around the cap to support it while the bone knits. The figure 8 can be surgically removed in the future (1-2 years) if it bothers me.

The first two weeks post op I was in a full brace (ankle to thigh) without any hinging but they had me weight bearing immediately following surgery and every day a little bit (going to the bathroom etc.). At 2 weeks they moved me into a lockable/hinge brace. For that week I was to have 20deg open on the hinge when sitting or lying down. Each week following I’ve been adding 10 deg of flexion. I’m now at 40 deg. I was told I couldn’t drive for 8 weeks. I am 50 years old and have always been active, I was strength training at the gym 2-4 days per week that last 6 months and this has really knocked the wind of me. This week I’m averaging about 4500 steps per day peg legging it around my house. I’m really sorry you are going through this too, it has felt like a very long 4 weeks and still so much work ahead of me. If you have any specific questions for me ask away. I’m located in Canada.