Please help....

[mailee]

On July 4, 2006, I wrecked and ended up fracturing the tibial plateau of my right leg. After going through surgery, the addition of a plate, pins, and screws to my leg, and theropy, the dr says it has healed really well. But, here is the problem, when i went back to work I lost the insurance that was helping pay for everything, therefore, theropy was not possible and I am having problems getting the muscles to work properly. After three months of theropy, i had 68% usage of my leg and things were coming along well. Went through aquatic exercises, the electric stimulization treatment, and finally to the gym. Right before I lost the insurance and had to stop the theropy, the theropist did an evaluation and the usage went down to 45%, but without being able to afford the cost of theropy, there was nothing I could do to fix the problem. there were some exercises that the theropist said i could try and do at home, but I cannot hold my own weight to do them.

When I wrecked there were no tears or rips in any of the muscles or the ligaments. Now I am having alot of trouble getting the vastus medialis to work at all. This is the muscle that is giving me the most trouble. There is an indention in my leg where the muscle should be. I could use some advice on what I can do to get this muscle to work again. I would like to ride again but with the muscles not working properly I am afraid of fallin to the right, not being able to hold my own weight and reinjuring it. Any help will be greatly appriciated....

[drmark]

Muscle atrophy after such a fracture is a certainty unles proactive steps are taken.

You should ge an athletic trainer to work with you such that he/she can put your on appropriate exercises to build up the VMO. We typicalyn use closed chain quad exercises such as step ups.

[mailee]

is there anything i can do at home, i cannot afford an athletic trainer right now, i'm still trying to get out of a 6 month no work hole....thanks

[drmark]

I know money is tight. This is a complex problem to navigate by yourself. Most of the time only one session is necessary then you can do it on your own. You may have to lay out 50 bucks. It wll be worth it.

[mailee]

ok, i'll check around and find an athletic trainer and see what i can get accomplished, thanks for the help