pop goes the left knee

[Dharmaboy]

Update :

saw the physiotherapist and he said I am good to go in a few weeks. He also said not to do any plyo and other heavy leg workouts till after my MRI on August 11.

He said to keep doing the same leg workouts he gave me and keep icing it.

I am still taking another month off as I need to make sure this knee is good before I hit the ice again. Like i mentioned before I will retool my game a little.

[Dharmaboy]

Update

Finally got my MRI results about 2 weeks ago. I have a ACL Sprain maybe hairline tear in my left knee. I got the doc to book another MRI for my right knee (has popped 1nce a year for the past 5 years) which i got within 2 weeks of booking. i was amazed.

I hit the ice for full real shinney on Friday and it went well. Leg's hurt as I was not used to the stance and the movement. Not playing a fast shinney game for 3 months will do that.

No issues while playing, but I was sore the next day. I plan on taking it easy and playing 1nce a week. told my team that I will not play league as I want to play fun hockey till I feel ready and the knees dont give me issues. I have to wear a thick brace on both knees now.

Small price to pay but I have worn braces for ever on the right knee.

[puckmeethoof]

Originally Posted by Dharmaboy

I saw a physio therapist at the Glen Sather sports clinic today. The therapist did some test on the left knee and said I have no ligament damage as I was able to be manipulated without any discomfort.

He does feel that I grinded my miniscus and the pain was due to that. I am probably out for 3 weeks and not as bad as I feared. I still will take it easy and not rush back to playing meaning my playoff run is over.


So far so good. I will still go with the MRI schedule just to make sure.

Ligament tears won't cause pain usually, just less stability (and greater susceptibility to further injury). Unless you're unconscious, some docs won't be able to manipulate your knee enough to tell if you've torn (I had two docs SWEAR I didn't tear my ACL). While conscious, even if you "relax", sometimes you're guarded and the doc can't feel the give. It wasn't until I was unconscious on the surgery table that my surgeon yanked on my knee and went "OH S***, that's loose!" (no KIDDING doc, my knee was twice as loose as it should be BEFORE I tore the ligament!)

Meniscus damage is where the pain comes from....

Since you've got an ACL sprain, TAKE IT EASY. Seriously, I've had both my ACLs done, and it's not a fun surgery and a long rehab. I'm back on the ice 6 months post op (not supposed to be), but I'll be weak for another year. And after surgery, you will always be conscious and protective of the knee (though studies show the graft is almost twice as strong). Tendons and ligaments take a while to tighten back up when they've been pulled and strained. Also, make sure that when you do get back to it, you do lots of strengthening exercises. Put a small stability ball between your knees (this helps focus on the inner knee/leg muscles), close your thighs on it and do squats.

[SNOW57]

i got physio monday. surgery request form from my physio doc and family doc which is to be granted when the surgeon comes up on november 17th (i live in the Yukon) but the appointment monday is to see if i can play hockey until that point. according to the docs its a possible ACL tear and slight damaged cartalidge(X-rays were takin). theres no specialist here and i cant afford to fly down and see one. i want to play so bad. if the appointment goes well i am buying a brace and playing. ive waited 3 weeks since my last visit and it feels better but aside from work i dont push it. According to those two docs the surgery is set like i said for nov. 17th. and ya i got the same info from the doc that you wrote puckme. a minimum of 6 months after surgery. haha you have officially been the final straw that has scared me now

[htmsnyder]

After reading all this, I'm starting to think I need to go to a doctor. Last spring, when I first started trying to drop down to stop the puck, I made what is probably a very rookie mistake. When I rolled over to my stomach to get up, my very crappy, cheap leg pad, with NO knee lift, smacked the ice on the side. It rotated 90% to the left and took my knee, and everything below, with it. Never had a knee dislocate, was an interesting experience that I do not want to repeat. Screamed bloody murder while the guys tried to get my leg pad off. Of course, none of them were goalies, so they unhooked buckles and pulled. After I screamed again, that is when they realized that the toe bridge was tied to my skate. It did help the knee back into place though. I didn't go to the doctor, just bought a knee brace, and was back on the ice the next week. Playing stand up of course.
Late summer spent a few hours with a goalie coach, so started working on a b-fly again. Was getting it figured out. In November, on my birthday no less, I dropped to the b-fly, and one of the guys crashed into me. Again, rookie mistake, didn't know how to protect the knees, so was pushed down and back. Legs had no where to go, so both knees snapped around in front. I think I sprained/tore/damaged both mcls. As a matter of self pride this time, I made the guys push the net back over to me so I could get myself up off the ice. Skated myself off, went to work. Propped up both feet and put garbage bags of ice on the knees. Didn't go to the doctor this time either. The guys made me stay off the ice for a month this time, which was probably good since I didn't have a good leg to stand on. Neither knee wanted to support me. Both wobbled badly. Bought 2 braces with the metal bars on the side, and was back to stand up hockey. Was not able to drop back to the ice until Feb. Still lots of pain, and not totally steady.
I can finally drop without pain, but I can't seem to b-fly at speed anymore. Working on it, but end up dropping on the pads (newer, better pads, w/knee lift) most of the time. Maybe I should have gone to the doctor, but in some ways, it seems like I was able to get back on the ice quicker. I'm sure I'll pay for it later.

[habs-fan]

Snow, if the docs think it's bad enough for surgery, don't risk detroying it beyond repair by going on the ice injured. I know it's a long time waiting, but it's your knee. You mess it up more, you may never play again.

[Dharmaboy]

Yeah I wouldnt play either. Think of the investment of not playing for a few months instead of blowing it out worse and not being able to play ever.

I had to sit for 3 months and I actually did other work outs. I was playing so much in the winter that I didnt even miss hockey that much. I was tired of the late games.

Going back to play now, I kinda miss early game times and shinneys.

I would not play. dude its just not worth it. you do need to walk later in life when you leave hockey. I had to accept that fact in my layoff.

I can now play with braces and take it easy. I am glad I took the time off.

[jambon20]

I have elected to brace my ACL deficient knee until the off season. I would rather miss the golf and mountain biking than the ski and hockey seasons. Plus... it's easier to hobble around in the summer than the winter.

That being said, if my knee goes "pop" again during the season, or if I start to notice too much wear and tear, I will likely just get the surgery done then. I will continue to brace it in the meantime, and "pre-hab" it in hopes of minimizing my downtime in the spring.

Until then, this is my new bestest friend: CTi Off-The-Shelf Ligament Knee Brace*« Off-The-Shelf Ligament Braces*« Ligament Knee Braces*« Knee Braces - Blending form, fit and function*« Braces & Supports - Ossur

Used it last night for the 1st time. A bit bulky, obviously, but will make some pad adjustments and see.

[Qpats]

I partially tore my MCL last April and after a few physio therapy sessions it is still sensitive... I played hockey 2 weeks ago for the first time and it didn't not feel like it used to. Making certain movements hurt a little bit. The physiotherapist keeps saying it is normal and healing normally but for a grade II sprain this is taking way too long I think. I feel like going to another physiotherapist and get a second opinion.

What are you guys experience with a grade II MCL sprain?

How long did it take before you started feeling ''normal'' again?

[jambon20]

It all depends.
Technically... it will never be normal again if you consider normal as being "what it used to be". Tissues do not heal the same as before. Soft tissues heal like scar tissue and thus lose some of their previous function because the alignment of the fibers has changed.

"Normal" healing time for a sprain/strain injury, under optimal circumstances, is 4-6 weeks. NOBODY gives themselves "optimal circumstances", however.

A secomd opinion is warranted if you are unhappy with the progress, assuming you've behaved as your physio has asked.

Ask around to find someone who has a great deal of experience with knees and go from there. (Whether it's a PT, AT, MD, or DC).

Cheers

[SNOW57]

i was worried you guys would give that advice. i talked to my team this morning and they have a backup plan ready to go. its 2 months till surgery and then he suggested no hockey this winter at all. but that was a while ago and ive got another appointment monday. its all scary stuff non the less