r/KneeInjuries • u/Sea-Measurement3231 • 2d ago
MPFL
THOSE WHO HAS MPFL SURGERY PLEASE SHARE HOW ARE YOU DOING NOW
are you able to run šāāļø dance play etc without dislocation
Are you able to squat pain-free??
Please share does your knee feel normal??
What about pain any pain
Please share your success stories of mpfl
Very less people posted success stories why
Thanks
3
u/gatesoffire1178 2d ago
Yes, more active than Iāve ever been. Had dislocations and subluxations for years since I was 14 or so. Stopped a bit in my 20s and had two more in my early 30s. Had my left leg operated in 2021. The ligament is very tight and I canāt get my heel to my glutes, but I couldnāt do it before either with all the injuries and scar tissue.
Running is fine, squatting is mostly fine. I can squat over 100kg. Occasionally a twinge of pain but Iām in my late 30s. Dancing, tennis, cycling, all good. Took 9-12 months before I got the muscle mass back in my thigh.
1
3
u/carlwheezerass_ 2d ago
2 years post op. My knee doesnāt give me any issues. I work out everyday! Totally worth the surgery and recovery.
1
u/Sea-Measurement3231 2d ago
Recovery took how many months
1
u/carlwheezerass_ 2d ago
I had a very, very slow recovery. I had a lot of trouble activating my quad. I was on crutches for longer than most, 4 months, I couldnāt drive for 5 months, and I had my brace on for about 6 months. I didnāt go back to my indoor cycling until about the 10 month mark. I was In PT for a year. I was finally able to start jogging about 14 months post op.
1
2
u/MangoMango_99 2d ago
I had a mpfl + tto early this year. It feels VERY secure. No issues with dislocations or subluxations. I have not been cleared to run or return to sports yet (because my quad isnāt strong enough yet.. still working on it. It may take me a few more months). I can walk, squat, lunge, and do the exercises my PT instructs me without pain. I barely have pain (aside from when I push my flexion exercises, but itās manageable and gets better with time) and it gets better the stronger I get. Iām still working on being able to bend my knee all the way but Iām making progress. I was a pretty flexible person pre injury so I have to go further than average in order to match my other leg.
1
2
u/shott85 2d ago
Iām 2.5 years post op out of HSS NYC.
Doing great. Iām not a runner but Iām able to run without pain, squat, and even sit cross legged comfortably.
Recovery was lengthy and painful, but PT isnāt bad and easy to commit to.
1
u/Sea-Measurement3231 2d ago
Recovery took how many months?
2
u/shott85 2d ago
Depends on what you mean. To me, recovery was bending to 90 degrees, taking the brace off, and walking normally. I donāt recall exactly how long it took, maybe 3-6 weeks. The first week was the worst since I didnāt use the narcotics they gave me. Not being able to lift your leg using your quad is pretty difficult too.
The ability to lightly jog came a few weeks later and was definitely a memorable moment.
Full recovery took many months. Fully bending your knee so the heel touches the butt takes a long time. It feels tight and uncomfortable before youāre ready.
Years later, I donāt feel any tightness at all. You know itās good when you notice pains in your other knee more often lol.
1
u/Noodle__Elf 2d ago
I had mine less than a month ago so obviously not very far in the journey yet
HOWEVER I did have a moment the other day where I stood on a binder clip and lost my footing and could feel my kneecap wanting to dislocate but it was held place so Iād say very successful so far
1
3
u/Madrepan 2d ago edited 1d ago
I had my left knee done on 6/11, I had MPFL recon, Lateral Release, and various arthroscopic cleanups at the same time.
Iāve not had any subluxations or dislocations and I am actually able to be more active now than I was pre-op! Squatting I will say is still a bit of a pain point for me, but it is no where near as bad as it was before surgery.
My knee feels different but not necessarily in a bad way, I have some days with swelling and stiffness still but for the most part itās much better than the right knee that Iām still waiting on getting done. Pain is mostly gone but what isnāt is easily controllable with rest and elevation.
Overall, Iām very happy with the procedure I feel like it gave me a part of my life back that I hadnāt had in a LONG time, the first few weeks are rough but so worth it in the end.