I tore my knee up....... ask me anything

[nini]

:cry:

:-(

[Maddy McCall]

1. Tell me it wasn't a go-cart wreck...

if so, then we are kindred spirits.

How'd it happen?

[nini]

2. wierd thing is .. I don't remember an injury

It's been bugging me a bit for a couple weeks and I was waiting to see if it would heal on its own and waiting for an orthopaedic referral. Yesterday I was walking into a funeral (of all things) and I could barely take a step. :-(

went to the ER.. xrays show nothing which means it's either meniscus (my feeling is that's what it is) or ligaments. either way it hurts like hell and I'm in a tri-level townhouse so the stairs are killing me. :cry:


what happened to yours? sorry to hear you're hurting too :hug:

[Maddy McCall]

3. Did they give you a brace for it?

If you have some problems with ligaments, they should have given you some kind of brace to immobilize it.

I'm healed now--I broke my tibia and fibula in a go-cart wreck two years ago. I feel like a million bucks now. It's a wonder what a good surgeon can do for you.

Best wishes to you. I hope you heal quickly. I have empathy for anyone with knee problems now--I've been there.

:hug: back to you.

[nini]

4. yep. I've got a brace and crutches which help.

hopefully that's all it is and it'll heal now.. I'll be having an MRI soon.

we sound alike - I broke both ankles in a car accident in '85 and have hurt a bit since. But like you I appreciate good surgeons because they saved my ability to walk at all.

stay away from those go carts.. too bad they're so fun!

thanks

[Reverend_Smitty]

5. I hope it isn't Meniscal...

That is a really difficult injury to repair surgically because it is cartilage and it has poor vascular supply. Where is your pain? Medial, lateral, posterior or anterior? It's kind of difficult to tear an ACL without knowing it...I've seen people tear them and it sounded like a gunshot!

Although it could be chondromalacia which is a softening of the cartilage around the knee which causes generalized knee pain

[nini]

6. the pain is all over but is in the towards the front and left side

when I walk on it.

It's been painful for a week or so, but not like it is now when I try and walk. No problems with stability though.. just feels like there's a knife in there when I'm trying to walk

I don't think it's ACL - God I hope not.

[Reverend_Smitty]

8. It's kind of hard to diagnose over the internet...

because I can't do any tests or see how you walk, so I would advise seeing a doc. However if you don't recall a specific mechanism of injury, it is more than likely an overuse injury...such as chondromalacia or tendonitis of some variety. The joints in your legs work together as if they are links in a chain, so this injury can be the result of poor walking or running technique. Or problems with your hips or ankles, muscle imbalances (especially quad to hamstring ratio) leg length discrepancies ,or even high/low arches. There are a bunch of possibilities that could be causing your pain, so really the doctor is your best bet

[nini]

12. thanks.. I do have arthritis in both ankles..

and I'm pretty sure that's most of the problem. I'll be seeing a doc Tuesday.

Thanks for your input!

[Maddy McCall]

9. Even if it is a torn meniscus, a good surgeon can clean it up.

Hugs and good thoughts your way.

[nini]

13. thanks!!

:hug:

I appreciate it.

[PittPoliSci]

7. does it hurt?

hope not! get well soon!

[nini]

14. Thanks

I hope so too!!

[underseasurveyor]

10. Oh I'm so sorry to hear that nini ;-(

That has to hurt like a mofo. I don't know myself, but many of my friends have had knee troubles and they have said it is very painful :-(

I hope they at least gave you something decent for the pain:thumbsup:
Take care sweetie, you have my best white light possitive thoughts aimed in your direction :hug:

[nini]

15. Thanks...

They gave me vicodin.. I slept realllll good last night :-)

I'll taking those positive thoughts! :hug: to you too!!

[bikebloke]

11. Wrecked mine last summer

I was playing soccer, wearing loose sandals (don't try that kids). Luckily, I could pedal my bike comfortably. Walking was bloody sore. Running was out of the question for a long time. It's been slow, but firming up. I prefer to skip the quacks whenever possible.

[nini]

16. Owieee... I know 2 others who hurt their knees playing soccer

tougher game than most people realize.

Hope you make a complete recovery!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

17. Knees suck. Next time I see God, I will mention that flaw

to Her.

[nini]

19. Thanks buddy!

:hug:


Well, God allowed us to invent vicodin such she's not all bad :-)

[burythehatchet]

18. from an ex-bball player who's had both knees reconstructed

with patellar tendon grafts for ACL replacements - titanium screws -several scopes preceding. They were both a mess but good surgeons fixed me up really well (Emory Univ).

All I can say to you is: The pain will be gone, but then you'd better REHAB..REHAB..REHAB. Good Luck.

[nini]

20. Yep.. I know I'm going to become good friends with my exercise bike

I'll be ok with it - it's better than the pain.


thanks and i hope you don't have to go through any more..

[welshTerrier2]

21. a home remedy or two

sorry to hear about your knee ... what a pain ...

mrs. wt2 just got diagnosed (MRI) with a torn medial miniscus and a totally ruptured ACL ... what's amazing is that she isn't having any pain ...

we went to see "the superstar orthopedic guy" and he strongly recommended surgery ... we're probably heading for a second opinion but surgery seems like the best option ...

torn cartilage doesn't heal because it doesn't have a blood supply ... left untreated, it can lead to athritis in the knee ...

here are a couple of things that are probably worth trying (in addition to getting the MRI):
1. glucosamine chondroitin sulfate ... check out a good pharmacy or a health food store ... also, check out this website: http://arthritisinsight.com/medical/alternative/gscs.html ... there are all kinds of studies being done on this stuff ... the early indications are very positive ... and it seems very safe ... it's pretty expensive though and the quality varies widely from brand to brand ... not sure which brand is good ...
2. ice and elevation ... you should probably be icing the knee for 20 minutes at least three times a day ... it couldn't hurt ... also, i got mrs. wt2 an over-the-counter knee brace made by TruFit ... she found it much better than the standard ACE bandage ... fwiw, i bought the brace in a walgreen's pharmacy ... no idea if this is a national chain ... if you elevate your knee (to reduce possible swelling), make sure you keep it a little bent ... a couple of pillows under your lower leg only is a good way to go ...
3. non-weight bearing exercises ... the goal is to strenghten your quads ... those are the muscles on the front of your leg above the knee ... the main rule: if it hurts, stop doing it ... have a doctor give you a little info sheet of recommended exercises ... things that torque the knee are bad news ... no tension exercycling or swimming are especially good but there are many things you can do without equipment ...

hope this helps ... good luck ...

[nini]

23. Thanks!!

great suggestions - most of which i'm doing so far. Waiting to see the doc about getting on the exercise bike first.

thanks again and I'm amazed the Mrs. isn't having pain - good for her!

[GOPisEvil]

22. Ouch!!!! I'm sorry to hear that!

Get better soon. :hug:

[nini]

24. I'm sure you know what the first thing I thought of was..

```The Love Boat```` :cry: :cry:


thanks - hugs back at ya :hug:

[neuvocat]

25. How do you prononce "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"?