MCL tear - anyone had it?
Discussion
I had a grade 1 to 2 ACL tear and it took 6 months and a lot of rehab (literally hours and hours of standing on 1 leg balancing on a half ball etc) before I was back playing football pain free with my knee feeling anything like stable. On the plus side it cleared up my 'glass' ankle which would go every month or so as it was the same leg 
In my experience it took a lot longer than the recovery times you see of professional athletes, and I was pretty fit at the time and worked really hard on my rehab, but fitting it in around a job isn't always easy.
ETA. Hope your recovery goes well and you back playing soon.
In my experience it took a lot longer than the recovery times you see of professional athletes, and I was pretty fit at the time and worked really hard on my rehab, but fitting it in around a job isn't always easy.
ETA. Hope your recovery goes well and you back playing soon.
Did mine at the start of October last year. i Struggled to sleep at night the pain was that bad. I'd never been injured like that before, so didn't seek any help and just struggled on with it as i hoped it would heal quickly. But my leg gave way on me again 4 weeks later whilst i was trying to side foot a football to one of my kids. At this point i thought enough was enough and got referred to for physio through my work. I had my first Physio appointment about 6 weeks after the intial injury, and i didn't get a scan. I was given exercises and stretches to do and it seemed to improve at a steady rate.
I managed my first game of 5 a sides half way through January approx 14 weeks after the initial incident. The knee still felt weak and i was really worried about having a relapse, but i took it easy and my knee held up.
I've continued to play reguarly since then. I Still get minor twinges depending on how i twist and turn, but my knee has been getting stronger each time. Most of the issues with my knee appear to be now in my head.
It does take a bit of getting over, you just need to be patient and try not to rush yourself back
I managed my first game of 5 a sides half way through January approx 14 weeks after the initial incident. The knee still felt weak and i was really worried about having a relapse, but i took it easy and my knee held up.
I've continued to play reguarly since then. I Still get minor twinges depending on how i twist and turn, but my knee has been getting stronger each time. Most of the issues with my knee appear to be now in my head.
It does take a bit of getting over, you just need to be patient and try not to rush yourself back
I've counted myself out for a good 6 months and am currently in a brace so I'm. Expecting the worst.
As said above sleeping is hard, my first night last night was unbearable and I slept most of today because of a sleepless last night, I can only sleep on my back which I don't do naturally.
I just hope I can play sport again, f
king love rugby 
As said above sleeping is hard, my first night last night was unbearable and I slept most of today because of a sleepless last night, I can only sleep on my back which I don't do naturally.
I just hope I can play sport again, f
king love rugby Similar vein, but not The same ligament as I ruptured my ACL September last year playing football against my brother. Q. I only found that was what it was in January, as I did the normal man thing and left it for a while hoping it would get better. Suffice to say it didn't. My specialist did a Arthroscopy instead of an MRI, think he's a bit old school, and found I'd also damaged my cartilage. Cleaned all the crap out my knee and found 2 distinct sides of an ACL.
Apparently I will require reconstructive surgery on the ligament, where he's going to take part of my patella ligament to replace my ACL. 3 months off work minimum apparently as my job is physical, especially on the knees.
Currently wearing a knee brace at work as I can't afford to be off over the summer!
Apparently I will require reconstructive surgery on the ligament, where he's going to take part of my patella ligament to replace my ACL. 3 months off work minimum apparently as my job is physical, especially on the knees.
Currently wearing a knee brace at work as I can't afford to be off over the summer!
z4chris99 said:
playing rugby yesterday got tackeled hard to the knee and heard a big ripping noise.
went to A&E and suspected grade 3 tear of my MCL, have an MRI on Monday etc.
anyone had one? how long till I'm better? will my knee be the same afterwards for sports etc?
I'd get a diagnosis before worrying about rehab and recovery. Most diagnoses I see from non-knee specialists are a way off the mark, particularly from A&E. Get started now on icing the knee. (Google it)went to A&E and suspected grade 3 tear of my MCL, have an MRI on Monday etc.
anyone had one? how long till I'm better? will my knee be the same afterwards for sports etc?
You need to see a Specialist Sports Knee Surgeon in the next week or so if it's a bg/painful/swollen knee or if you can't straighten it fully.
Diagnosis can be made on history, examination, arthroscopy, MRI or a combination of all four. Sometimes I can tell what's wrong just be the story someone tells me.
Will.
surgeon
cheers. I was hit hard to the outside of my knee, heard loud ripping then unreal pain.
my knee feels like it has support in a straight plane but no support sideways if you understand that, it is also swollen on the inside on a band from top to bottom.
see what happens Monday with the MRI etc
I'm in some sort of blue brace at the moment
fingers crossed its not too damaged
my knee feels like it has support in a straight plane but no support sideways if you understand that, it is also swollen on the inside on a band from top to bottom.
see what happens Monday with the MRI etc
I'm in some sort of blue brace at the moment
fingers crossed its not too damaged
Good Luck with the receovery.
I am recovering from an ACL and meniscus repair surgery just before Christmas. It was pretty painful for the first couple of weeks after the Op but the drugs really help!
I had the same leg brace as you have for 6 weeks post op which also meant I couldn't drive for 6 weeks which was the main PITA.
They get you started on rehab pretty much the same day as the op and get you up and moving. I was walking on crutches the next day and got rid of the crutches in about 3-4 days. Going down stairs are really awkward for a while as you can't put much weight / bend the leg much for the first 5-6 weeks but I was amazed how quickly your leg recovers considering what it was like post op. I should be able to start running this week and in theory play football around June time.
One thing that other knee surgery veterans have told me is 'don't push it too hard too early' and 'listen to what the physio says'. I think a few people have done too much and put themselves back a few weeks so take your time.
I am recovering from an ACL and meniscus repair surgery just before Christmas. It was pretty painful for the first couple of weeks after the Op but the drugs really help!
I had the same leg brace as you have for 6 weeks post op which also meant I couldn't drive for 6 weeks which was the main PITA.
They get you started on rehab pretty much the same day as the op and get you up and moving. I was walking on crutches the next day and got rid of the crutches in about 3-4 days. Going down stairs are really awkward for a while as you can't put much weight / bend the leg much for the first 5-6 weeks but I was amazed how quickly your leg recovers considering what it was like post op. I should be able to start running this week and in theory play football around June time.
One thing that other knee surgery veterans have told me is 'don't push it too hard too early' and 'listen to what the physio says'. I think a few people have done too much and put themselves back a few weeks so take your time.
The_Doc said:
x 1million
Will
Knee surgeon
Mr Knee Surgeon. Will
Knee surgeon
for something like i have, what is the typical treatment program?
1-6 weeks wear this brace, have another MRI in 3 weeks. (still havent heard anything about my first MRI)
after 6 weeks do they see if its repaired then operate if it hasnt?
what happens after 6 weeks?
how long should i use the crutches for?
What painkillers should i be on?
z4chris99 said:
Mr Knee Surgeon.
for something like i have, what is the typical treatment program?
1-6 weeks wear this brace, have another MRI in 3 weeks. (still havent heard anything about my first MRI)
after 6 weeks do they see if its repaired then operate if it hasnt?
what happens after 6 weeks?
how long should i use the crutches for?
What painkillers should i be on?
I'm afraid I can't give out this kind of advice to an unseen patient. for something like i have, what is the typical treatment program?
1-6 weeks wear this brace, have another MRI in 3 weeks. (still havent heard anything about my first MRI)
after 6 weeks do they see if its repaired then operate if it hasnt?
what happens after 6 weeks?
how long should i use the crutches for?
What painkillers should i be on?
6 weeks in a hinged brace is standard for an MCL injury. Then you see the patient again and take it from there. Associated injuries inside need to be diagnosed and treated with varying timings.
I don't understand 2 MRIs in 4 weeks, but I'm not treating you.
You need to go over all these questions with the team that are treating you, and I suggest to all my patients they write them down and tick off the questions when sat in front of The Man.
ACL reconstruction can be delayed for months until movement returns and the knee is cool and quiet, as apposed to 'hot and unhappy' as demonstrated by your photos
Meniscal tears need to be reduced/repaired to normal shape early if they are displaced.
The MCL often heals to a usable state with just bracing.
Just some info for everyone....
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