MCL (knee) injury ???

[sangerwaker]

Anyone here have any experience with a torn MCL?<br /><br />I tore mine last Wednesday night. Went to the orthopedist today and he confirmed my suspicion, it is badly damaged and/or torn. He claims they will heal by themselves, and do not require surgery by themself. He doesn't even want an MRI to be sure.<br /><br />I've done some reading online and I've found plenty of cases to support having the tear surgically repaired, but also articles saying it's best to leave it alone unless surgery is absolutely necessary. <br /><br />Wouldn't an MRI confirm how bad the damage is? I think I need to get a second opinion.<br /><br />If anyone has any insight as to the recovery/rehab of this injury, please speak up. I'd love to hear from you.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[KaGee]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

Wow, that sux! Puts a dent in the summer skiing eh?<br /><br />Second opinions are always a good thing, but beware, there are alot of ortho's more than happy to oblige with surgery. Surgery can always be done later. I would follow your docs advise for now.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

Yup. Sure does KaGee. No tourneys for me this year. . It is an extremely remote possibility I could make the MN State Championship in August, but not likely. <br />looks like I get to be designated driver/coach for the summer. That's cool too, I guess.<br /><br />Thanks for the reply.

 

[PW2]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

I would get a second opinion, and maybe even a third opinion.<br /><br />It depends on how stable the knee is, how important it is to you to regain full strength and movement in your knee, and how long you expect that process to take.<br /><br />If sports are important to you, it is far more likely to heal properly if you get a surgeon to kind of guide the healing process, rather than rely on chance.<br /><br />I'd at the very least contact a sports medicine orthopedic specialist if I were you. I've not had a MCL, but I had a torn ACL, had surgery done years ago, and had about 10 more years of softball before I finally had to hang up the cleats. The knee has never been a problem since, and it is not now.<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[PW2]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

Oh, and I would also try to find a reasonably young specialist as well. Techniques have changed so much in a reasonably short period of time, I'd want to find one not too far removed from medical school. Not a kid, maybe, but also not some guy ready to retire who may not fully comprehend why maximum strength and movement can be so important.

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

Try a sport clinic for that type of injury.<br /><br /> get well soon!

 

[KRS]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

well... how'd you do it?

 

[QC]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

I think I agree with PW2, but I have "blown" both knees multiple times, never had surgery. I don't even go to the doctor anymore, because they just say the same thing. Stay off of it. They always heal, but they end up sloppier each time. The right one can now totally dislocate from rolling over in bed funny pops back in just as easily. No limp though and I am still reasonably fast, played softball tonight . . . I always thought my issue was ACL though, so don't listen to me

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

I thought you had a desk job?<br />Or is it un<br />Nevermind!

 

[heycods]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

Torn acl sounds right to me but I dont remember, Orthoscopic surgery on my right knee and both of my boys have had the surgery also, were in full agreement that it will never be the same. Functional but not 100%. If they do the surgery, follow up therapy is a must.

 

[pjc]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

I agree w/ second opine, and have mri for a good diagnosis. Remember that recently a neurosurg wanted to open my neck to tinker with vertebrae and disc. I declined and has been ok so far.<br /><br />Knees are complex, and perhaps research what sort of dietary/physical therapy regimens the sports pros do to rehab a blown knee.<br /><br />Hope to see you on the 23rd sanger! Take care<br /><br />Pat

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

Wife had a torn ACL on her left knee sugreicly repaired years ago; it's now her "good" knee. Any way, the second opinion advice coupled with a Sports Med specialist is as sound as it gets advice wise. Find out who does the pro sports teams in your aera, thats the Doc ya want checking ya out Good luck.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

Originally posted by KRS:<br /> well... how'd you do it?

Skiing, of course! It was my first time of the season in my barefoot suit. I had been skiing in a drysuit up until then, and a nylon drysuit is not nearly as slippery on the water as a barefoot suit.<br /><br />I was practicing tumble turns. They are when you are barefooting along, go down on your butt, spin around, and stand back up. I had done both 180 tumbles, and was doing my first 360 tumble, when I broke the cardinal rule of tumble turns. I put my feet back down too early, attempting to stop my rotation with them. Bad move.<br /><br />Thanks for the insights guys.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

One of my ski buds friend is the MN Gophers football physician. He recommended a sports medicine orthopedist to me, and I have made an appointment for June 21 to get a second opinion.<br /><br />Hopefully, I'll get some good news to bring to the get-together!

 

[mattttt25]

Re: MCL (knee) injury ???

partial tear of my mcl playing football in college. i was on crutches for a few days and brace for 2 weeks. limited myself to walking for about 6 weeks, slowly back to running after that, and went through intensive spring training with the team 4 months after the injury with no problems, but minimal pain. i was 100% within 6 months.<br /><br />i was told no surgery was needed and believe it based on my experience.