Knackered my knee
Discussion
Playing rugby about 6 weeks ago I badly hurt my leg. Went over on it badly and ended up fracturing my fibula, fracturing my tibial plateu, spraining my ACL and tearing my medial meniscus cartlidge. Thankfully I wad very lucky because I was told I had probably torn my ACL or PCL but I haven't and also the tear in the cartilage I have been told may heal itself (I know it is not regenerative buy sometimes u can avoid surgery). Has anyone else had similar injuries and avoided surgery? It gelt really bad and I thought I'd definitely need surgery but over the last 48 hours it seems to have got a lot better
Maxf said:
Have you had an MRI?
Yes and a fantastic specialist, just want some reassurance that I will make a dull recovery with surgery. It has got better recently but still sore, cant walk down steps etc. I am fine with the time it's taking to get better so ling as it keeps getting better to a full recovery.I fractured my tibial plateau skiing a couple of years ago and didn't need surgery.
You've got the fibula fracture too, which I didn't have, but that's (according to my consultant) much easier to sort out than the plateau or the ACL.
The degree of damage to the ACL is important - Mine was stretched a bit, but not so much that the knee can dislocate. If yours can, surgery is probably the way to go.
I had 6 weeks with my leg in a fixed brace and four in one with some movement, increasing the degree of flex every few days. It took about 3 months before I could flex my knee enough to pedal a bike.
To be honest, I'm not an athlete, but I was reasonably fit (although possibly a fair bit older than you) and my knee is still not 100% 20 months later.
On the other hand, with no surgery, after about 6 months I was able to return to fencing and badminton and I was back skiing 12 months after breaking it (with a brace to protect the ACL) and it's still improving.
After 12 months I was certain I would never be able to run more than a few steps again, but it's not a problem to run for a train, across the road or the normal kind of day to day running one does - I've never been a fan of running for fitness.
If you've any specific questions ask away.
M
You've got the fibula fracture too, which I didn't have, but that's (according to my consultant) much easier to sort out than the plateau or the ACL.
The degree of damage to the ACL is important - Mine was stretched a bit, but not so much that the knee can dislocate. If yours can, surgery is probably the way to go.
I had 6 weeks with my leg in a fixed brace and four in one with some movement, increasing the degree of flex every few days. It took about 3 months before I could flex my knee enough to pedal a bike.
To be honest, I'm not an athlete, but I was reasonably fit (although possibly a fair bit older than you) and my knee is still not 100% 20 months later.
On the other hand, with no surgery, after about 6 months I was able to return to fencing and badminton and I was back skiing 12 months after breaking it (with a brace to protect the ACL) and it's still improving.
After 12 months I was certain I would never be able to run more than a few steps again, but it's not a problem to run for a train, across the road or the normal kind of day to day running one does - I've never been a fan of running for fitness.
If you've any specific questions ask away.
M
I asked about the MRI as I was told I hadn't broken my ACL but to have an MRI anyway just to be sure - of course it was snapped. That was the second ACL I'd snapped that year!
I opted for surgery both times and can just say that it is vitally important that you exercise and build massive leg strength. I went on holiday for a couple of weeks and today was my first day back in the gym and already my knees feel unstable and generally weak. I think I'm locked into going to the gym into old age now. I'm 34.
I opted for surgery both times and can just say that it is vitally important that you exercise and build massive leg strength. I went on holiday for a couple of weeks and today was my first day back in the gym and already my knees feel unstable and generally weak. I think I'm locked into going to the gym into old age now. I'm 34.
Maxf said:
I asked about the MRI as I was told I hadn't broken my ACL but to have an MRI anyway just to be sure - of course it was snapped. That was the second ACL I'd snapped that year!
I opted for surgery both times and can just say that it is vitally important that you exercise and build massive leg strength. I went on holiday for a couple of weeks and today was my first day back in the gym and already my knees feel unstable and generally weak. I think I'm locked into going to the gym into old age now. I'm 34.
Yes, ACL injuries are very serious though. I am hoping I should be ok in 6 - 12 months. I Defo need to do exercise tho, leg is tiny now. It just feels stiff all the time. So frustrating.I opted for surgery both times and can just say that it is vitally important that you exercise and build massive leg strength. I went on holiday for a couple of weeks and today was my first day back in the gym and already my knees feel unstable and generally weak. I think I'm locked into going to the gym into old age now. I'm 34.
I had bad knees before this so leg exercises hurt. I know they are bad as all my family have bad knees so the prospect of heavy leg exercise regimes is not good.
If your ACL has gone then you may e able to avoid surgery IF your leg does not end up really unstable and you rehab it even stronger and you dont want to do anymore strenous activity
otherwise go for the operation
i had the acl op done and the knee is stable but i ended up with scar tissue problems clogging up the knee which i am still recovering from.
otherwise go for the operation
i had the acl op done and the knee is stable but i ended up with scar tissue problems clogging up the knee which i am still recovering from.
I have had the MRI and I have only sprained the ACL. physios thought I had
Done PCL but that is fine.
Biggest issues are fractures and meniscus. Range if movement improving greatly but tends to get stiff and sore. Hobbling around is ok but when I try to walk properly and push off with bad leg it hurts a bit. Need to build the leg I think.
Apparently the was a slight tear in meniscus so doesn't always need surgery.
Done PCL but that is fine.
Biggest issues are fractures and meniscus. Range if movement improving greatly but tends to get stiff and sore. Hobbling around is ok but when I try to walk properly and push off with bad leg it hurts a bit. Need to build the leg I think.
Apparently the was a slight tear in meniscus so doesn't always need surgery.
Mojooo said:
I thought ACLs could either fully tear, partially tear or stretch - all of them are bad news
I had a partial tear in my ACL and was able to rehab it - unfortunatley I then fully tore it and ended up injuring other parts of the knee too.
I dont think an ACL will repair itself - but you can build up enough muscle to hold it all together. I lost a ton of muscle while in rehab for it and am only just getting back into having 'legs'.I had a partial tear in my ACL and was able to rehab it - unfortunatley I then fully tore it and ended up injuring other parts of the knee too.
Just before I had my second op, I was in good shape and was actually thinking that I could just build the muscle up. Then I tripped going up some stairs at the station, got a huge click and pretty much (I assume) dislocated my leg! f
k that hurt.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff