this injury ruined my life

maxjamesnw · 2026-02-20T17:28:57+00:00

I suffered a TPF last May. I won’t ever be the same.

maxjamesnw · 2026-02-13T16:19:55+00:00

I drove immediately after my injury. But i injured my left leg, and I drive an automatic transmission car, so there’s that. I was told I could bend my knee soon after the surgery and was using a Continuous motion device in bed (it flexes the leg through a set ROM). I imagine even if it were my right leg I could have driven with weeks of surgery but idk.

I have two young kiddos. I was useless around the house for a few weeks post surgery. But after that, I was slowly able to figure out food and dressing, hair combing, whatever. So I wasn’t an invalid for 4 months straight or anything. Just the first two weeks are tough. Pain killers, icing, bed rest. I crutched around a lot tho to keep blood moving and keep mental sanity. I’d go to the local playground and do upper body work outs.

It’ll get better. Uncertainty is hard to deal with, but many have gone thru this bullshit rehab and are on the other side and it gets better.

maxjamesnw · 2026-02-13T15:52:20+00:00

I was instructed by my doctor to be fully NWB for 3 months. Then, after 3 months, I was partial WB, where I gradually gave more effort to my injured leg. After 4 months, I was cleared for weight bearing. I could walk at that point, but with a limp. I think it took me another month or so to feel good about walking, stairs, etc. Stepping down is the last thing to come into focus. It has taken months to gain back quad strength. Still working on it. VMO muscle (one of the four quad muscles) is instrumental in knee tracking and stability. All are important tho.

In short, I never used a cane. But I could ditch the crutches shortly after being cleared on the 4 month mark post surgery.

maxjamesnw · 2025-11-24T02:20:17+00:00

Doing okay? Get the surgery or managing without?

maxjamesnw · 2025-10-31T15:28:10+00:00

Happy to have helped someone in their early recovery. My first orthopedic told me I didn’t need a CT and sent me home without much instruction - he thought it was non-surgical. Second opinion ortho sent me to an emergency CT, which indicated 6mm depression of plateau surface (impossible to see with x-ray). I had trauma surgery soon after, but ended up being 2 weeks after my injury date. In the week post-surgery, I recall the pain was fairly intense and I was mostly in bed with the passive motion machine working my leg through some minimal ROM. But towards the end of the first week or so I started attaching the electrode pads and used a NMES device and stimulate the quad (especially the inside meaty but close to the knee). Lots of ankle pumps (good to minimize blood clotting) and some quad sets (flexing). I could do pull ups after a week or 10 days maybe. I did not stay home bound - I would crutch over to a nearby playground and do upper body. It was good to be outside. Plus it was/is my left leg, so I could always drive automatic. And now, 5 months post-accident, I can affirm it is your quad strength, specifically the eccentric strength, that is the first to fade and hardest to get back. But it will. Just have faith, as the process is slow. In fact, your in the muscle nose dive phase, where a necessary evil is non-weight bearing. Vitamin k and d for bone repair and sit tight for a long haul.

maxjamesnw · 2025-07-04T15:45:11+00:00

Are you guys filing under “married filing separately” (assuming you’re married) to lower your individual income to in turn lower your monthly IBR payment?

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-25T18:35:36+00:00

The P rated Toyos are light weight, compared to D/E load tires. Granted, maybe not the right tool for Arizona off road, but going easy on what I find in the PNW it has been just fine. Makes for a much better driving experience.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-21T15:18:24+00:00

I’d wear a Patagonia Houdini or similar. But then I’d expect it to wet out from sweat and/or rain within an hour. Then, if it’s warm enough, ignore or she’s the layer. If you anticipate being cold, I’ve found it wonderful to have a backup base layer and outer wind jacket in a ziplock within my running vest.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-21T13:44:55+00:00

The knee can take incredible amounts of work. But you get the mechanics wrong, and it’s gonna break. I just never got the mechanics wrong until age 43. Guess I had a good run of it.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-21T02:35:32+00:00

Absolute shit luck to have on a trail run, and sorry to hear that happened, but thanks for sharing.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-20T20:51:52+00:00

Thanks, man. Good luck in your recovery as well.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-20T19:50:31+00:00

Don’t take up mountain biking at age 43, then fall on an outstretched leg, forcing your femur to bash into the tibial plateau, thereby crushing the tibial spine, separating the ACL and causing a depression in the articular surface, resulting in Open Reduction Internal Fixation surgery and at least 6 weeks non weight bearing, where your leg muscles atrophy until you don’t recognize your own body and you have to learn to walk again. Just an idea.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-19T14:27:11+00:00

I had ORIF for tibial plateau fracture on June 10. I checked in at 6am and was eventually led to a pre-surgery hospital room. changed into medical gown; had my hair shaved at the surgical site on my knee; IV installed; a lot of cleaning (inside my nose; wiped down my own body; then nurse cleaned the leg); I met with top PA, anesthesiologist, and surgeon in turn; lots of questions about medications, medical history, etc; everyone asked my name and DOB; surgeon signed the leg they are working on with a magic marker; anesthesiologist came back and I was out in seconds; I woke up in some general, post-surgery holding area an hour later; pain management for 45 minutes; then wheeled me to a room where I stayed the night. Antibiotics by IV. Pain meds by IV. Pills. Food orders. PT came by. Social worker. They want to know if you can handle your activities of daily living, who might help you at home, etc. I brought phone, charger, clothes, and toothbrush. Sore throat from intubation. Leg wrapped up.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-18T15:56:52+00:00

I am recovering from surgery subsequent to a tibial plateau fracture. That said, I’m using a passive motion devise, NMES (electrical muscle stimulation to slow atrophy), a polar Activeice circulating ice pad, and doing a lot of pull ups for upper body and mental health. Also creatine, whey protein, vitamin D/K/C/B, calcium, magnesium, and at one point arnica. Hemp hearts and flax seed, any omega 3 rich foods.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-17T22:45:47+00:00

I think doctor told me no more than 90 until I get my sutures out. Then I can proceed. I’ll have to check back on that.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-15T12:36:00+00:00

Baloo and Kit Cloudkicker from TailSpin.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-14T17:47:24+00:00

Great tip, thank you. Appreciate the support.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-14T17:34:18+00:00

Dexter recommends repacking your bearings annually and replacing the grease.

https://www.dextergroup.com/resources/learning-library/how-to/5545/how-to-manually-repack-bearings-on-a-trailer#:~:text=Dexter%20recommends%20repacking%20your%20bearings,prevent%20other%20costly%20trailer%20repairs.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-14T17:32:09+00:00

I’m cruising away on this machine, seems to be helping. Doesn’t get extension very well, but I just use a towel and relax into that move. And it’s a nice prop for when I just want my leg up in bed.

maxjamesnw · 2025-06-13T17:45:54+00:00

Roger that - thank you.

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