Busted My Knee Playing Racquet Ball

[luv2teach77 41]

I'm currently sat here with my knee in a rather fetching blue and white brace immobilising my rather swollen right knee.

Last wednesday I played my usual racquet ball game, during which I very slightly twisted my knee. It didn't hurt for long and I easily played the rest of my game. Thursday and Friday mornings my knee was a bit stiff but I figured that was just the usual after game aches and pains. Fast forward to Saturday morning and I was woken early in the morning by pain in my knee. As I was taking some painkillers I noticed that there was slight swelling above my knee-cap. Throughout the rest of the day my knee swelled up more and more which slowly made it harder and harder to walk and put any weight on it. When I did my knee felt kind wobbly which I figured wasn't a good sign.

So... Sunday morning Debs drove me to the local Urgicare center where the doctor diagnosed a suspected torn Meniscus (a shock absorbing and stabilising block of tissue inside the knee joint). An appointment with my own doctor today confirmed the diagnosis where I was told it was probably a significant tear judging by the swelling.

I have an MRI scan schedule for lunchtime tomorrow where they will hopefully be able to confirm exactly what I have done and the best course of action t repair it. I'm preparing myself for some keyhole surgery, either to repair the tear or remove the Meniscus completely. Work have given me a pass to work from for the rest of this week in the hope that the swelling will have reduced enough to let me drive next week.

Not really sure why I've decided anyone else would be interested in my busted knee but I've shared it anyway !!

I'll keep you all posted...

Mark

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Sorry to hear of your injury.... I know how you are feeling I had a total knee replacement dont 15 weeks ago and I am still recovering.... it takes so long and its only when you have knee problems that you find out just how much we use our knees...

Hope you are back on your feet soon..

Kezzie

[Eli 0]

Yikes!! What really gets me is the delayed onset of the swelling and pain. That's kinda creepy. Hope the recovery is quick!

[luv2teach77 41]

Thanks for the sympathy posts guys...

The pain was due to the swelling and the swelling was due to blood leaking into the surroundig tissue, probably from the tear. I guess it took a while for enough blood to escape for the swelling to start, The doctor said that If I'd done more than walking and driving on Thursday and Friday (Like playing another game of Racquet Ball) then the swelling would have come on quicker. I was curious about the delay too.

Mark

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Mark,

I hate to break it to you but chances are you tore your ACL. I simply fell backwards last year playing basketball and twisted my knee but I heard a loud pop. My regular doctor did the stress test and thought that I just tore the meniscus. Relieved, I went back on the court after about a month and my leg completely gave under me. After going to a physical therapist who wrote a note to my doctor recommending that I get an MRI, my doc finally referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. It took about 3 seconds of pushing down on my lower leg for him to tell me I tore my ACL.

Doctors tend to be on the conservative side of diagnosis for torn ACL because for one, many people can function without replacing it. However, because I am physically active, I told my doc that I want to be able to play basketball again and conceded to refer me to a surgeon.

Go to an orthopedic surgeon - he'll be able to more accurately diagnose what it is. Good luck.

Oops...sorry Mark...your MRI should show if there is a tear...hope everything is ok.

Edited September 5, 2006 by Steven_and_Jinky

[ChasUK 0]

Ouchy. Sorry to hear about your knee. I bet you're glad that keyhole surgery rather than full intrusive surgery is the probable course of action. Hope you get back to the game ASAP.

I thought it was a joke at first because you posted a happy smiley with the thread title. LOL. and hey, at least the brace isn't pink.

Edited September 6, 2006 by ChasUK

[allynella 0]

My friend at work is recovering from surgery (torn Meniscus). She wore the full-length brace on the right leg for 1 month, followed by a shorter one, and now she wears that brace with the stilts to the side for another 6 weeks or so. She has had to be totally dependent during the 1st month. Physical therapy is also no joke. I wish you speedy recovery, whatever the diagnosis.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Sorry to hear it Mark. Will hope it's NOT the ACL and that you recover quickly. M&C.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

Do NOT delay seeking treatment for the torn miniscus, there is very little vascularity to that area of the knee, it needs time to heal and rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the joint,

I am a Physical Therapist, too often I see people with injuris like this that let it go , go back to sports to soon without allowing adequate time to recover and strengthen the compromised structural integrity of the involved knee.

As long as there is still swelling you should not play sports, apply ICE at least 3 times daily and use NSAID's ( Advil) to reduce Edema. One method to expidite healing is to take a cold Aluminum can and massage the area with the can, the massage combined with cold can will mobilize edema and reduce swelling.

after edema is gone then you will want to begin rehabilitation to strengthen the knee. This involves strengthening the VMO, Adducters, Quad sets, 1/4 squats, and functional flexibility and Range of Motion exercises.

Good luck & get into to see a PT ASAP!

[iceyspots 0]

I hope you get better soon

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

Do NOT delay seeking treatment for the torn miniscus, there is very little vascularity to that area of the knee, Once one structure becomes damaged it compromises the integrity of the rest of the knee, which can cause further injury to ACL/ MCL and chondromalatia patella ( softening of the cartiliage in the knee) it needs time to heal and rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the joint,

Do not rely on the diagnosis of a non Sports medicine Doctor. Get a refferal and have an Sports medicine Specialist/Orthopedist properly diagnose the injury , then immediately get into see a Physical Therapist. Early detection and treatment will reduces the need for Surgery.

I am a Physical Therapist, too often I see people with injuries like this that let it go after a misdiagnosis from their family practitionor , go back to sports too soon without a specialist referral & don't allowing adequate time to recover and strengthen involved knee.

As long as there is still swelling you should not play sports, apply ICE at least 3 times daily and use NSAID's ( Advil) to reduce Edema. One method to expidite healing is to take a cold Aluminum can and massage the area with the can, the massage combined with cold can will mobilize edema and reduce swelling.

after edema is gone then you will want to begin rehabilitation to strengthen the knee. This involves strengthening the VMO, Adducters, Quad sets, 1/4 squats, and functional flexibility and Range of Motion exercises.

Good luck & get into to see a PT ASAP!

[luv2teach77 41]

Thanks for your post Addie,

I have found a sports medicine facility nearby that accepts my insurance and will look to have a consultation from them soon. I have an MRI scheduled for today and I expect that I'll be required to go back to my family physician for his take on the results. I guess I'll ask him for a referral for a second opinion.

Mark