Ortho Visit Results....

[jenscats5]

MRI at 11:00 am tomorrow.....wants to see how much of my ACL I have left as opposed to labelling it as a "Grade 3 tear."

Got a scrip for some pain meds - 1 I never heard of (for day) and some Percosets...

Was told NOT to prop my leg up under my knee with a pillow....need to work on being able to straighten it....

They took some more Xrays....

Need to schedule some PT, ACL screening & brace fitting at the Univ. of DE....goal is to obtain full extension prior to surgery....

Surgery most likely at end of Feb or the beginning of March....and the recovery is a 6 month process - so looking for sure NO shows this year....

 

[Sassy69]

Heavy bummage Sorry to hear that jen. Percosets are fun for a day or two, but otherwise, eh. If surgery is the answer, hit it fast & get back into PT asap.

 

[jenscats5]

Heavy bummage Sorry to hear that jen. Percosets are fun for a day or two, but otherwise, eh. If surgery is the answer, hit it fast & get back into PT asap.

Yep - I start PT next week actually before surgery as 1) I need full extension/flexion on my leg and 2) you need to wait 4 weeks from the date of injury before you can get the surgery anyway....

I'm Mega-bummed....

 

[*Bunny*]

Sorry JC

Well, think of it this way too, at least no post show bloating, eating, swelling, skin stretching like you're going to explode ummm ...



Bummer about ski Season as well. Hang in there girl, we're here for you

 

[scorpiogirl]

Sorry to hear that, Jen. Well, I guess all you can do now is concentrate on healing and getting back to square 1. Good luck

 

[Sassy69]

Just a side thought, injury is often how people get into strength sports. Could be an interesting time to do some focus on the particulars of leg work.

 

[caligirl]

Yep - I start PT next week actually before surgery as 1) I need full extension/flexion on my leg and 2) you need to wait 4 weeks from the date of injury before you can get the surgery anyway....

I'm Mega-bummed....

Not to "stir the pot" but, did your MD explain to you exactly why you need full extension AND flexion b/f surgery? You can be completely frozen and STILL get your ACL fixed...
Is he having you wait 4 weeks for some individule reason? ACL surgey can be done immediatly after injury and majority of professional athletes (I personally know and train with) have it done next day. On my second tear I had it done 3 days post injury.

 

[jenscats5]

Not to "stir the pot" but, did your MD explain to you exactly why you need full extension AND flexion b/f surgery? You can be completely frozen and STILL get your ACL fixed...
Is he having you wait 4 weeks for some individule reason? ACL surgey can be done immediatly after injury and majority of professional athletes (I personally know and train with) have it done next day. On my second tear I had it done 3 days post injury.

Don't think he explained the flexion part - you know why??

He said we *had* to wait the 4 weeks....

 

[scorpiogirl]

Don't think he explained the flexion part - you know why??

He said we *had* to wait the 4 weeks....

Hmmmmm.....would be interesting to hear an explanation as to why you *have* to wait.

....sometimes I look at doc's with one eyebrow raised......

 

[*Bunny*]

Can't you get a 2nd opinion?

 

[jenscats5]

Can't you get a 2nd opinion?

This kinda is a second opinion....since I went to the clinic in VT...

Plus - what's going on is pretty standard based on everyone I know who's had their ACL reconstructed.....

 

[indyswife]

Sorry to hear that Jen. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[mermaid]

You know Jens, I was going to come up with the "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and "things happen for a reason" type of line, which while, in essence is true, it still sorta sucks to hear it when you're so pissed off/frustrated/questioning what has happened.

So, all I can say is that I am thinking of you and sending speedy recovery wishes your way

 

[iceprincess]

I am soooo sorry Jens - I hope that PT goes well for you next week!!

 

[nelmsjer]

jenscats, you are correct about the 4-week wait being the "norm". I don't remember the exact reason, though.

 

[jenscats5]

You know Jens, I was going to come up with the "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and "things happen for a reason" type of line, which while, in essence is true, it still sorta sucks to hear it when you're so pissed off/frustrated/questioning what has happened.

So, all I can say is that I am thinking of you and sending speedy recovery wishes your way

I hear ya on all that - but you know - I just don't want to hear it. Seems like once I get into something or do something - something happens to screw it up.....frustrating as hell....

 

[musclemom]

Jens, I got curious about the 4 week wait and .... can't find anything. My guess would be to allow for swelling to go down. While I was looking I DID find an interesting article about types of ACL repair, and types of knee surgeons, that you may want to read:

http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/acl-reconstruction-surgery.html

I think the author is British but it's an interesting article nevertheless.

 

[jenscats5]

Jens, I got curious about the 4 week wait and .... can't find anything. My guess would be to allow for swelling to go down. While I was looking I DID find an interesting article about types of ACL repair, and types of knee surgeons, that you may want to read:

http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/acl-reconstruction-surgery.html

I think the author is British but it's an interesting article nevertheless.

Thanks for the link. I have 2 other friends who blew out their ACLs 1 - 1 week before me & the other 3 days after me and they are all on the same wait until surgery. Another friend had 8 weeks of PT prior to surgery, so it seems common.....

My dr. wants full extension on my knee prior to surgery.....

 

[jenscats5]

Ok - from what I've been reading - the more flex/extension you have on your leg before surgery - the better off you will be after surgery due to the range you will lose after surgery. Thus, rehab will be "easier" if I can use that term.

 

[Miss24k]

So sorry Jens. Good luck girlie

 

[bluehen]

MRI at 11:00 am tomorrow.....wants to see how much of my ACL I have left as opposed to labelling it as a "Grade 3 tear."

Got a scrip for some pain meds - 1 I never heard of (for day) and some Percosets...

Was told NOT to prop my leg up under my knee with a pillow....need to work on being able to straighten it....

They took some more Xrays....

Need to schedule some PT, ACL screening & brace fitting at the Univ. of DE....goal is to obtain full extension prior to surgery....

Surgery most likely at end of Feb or the beginning of March....and the recovery is a 6 month process - so looking for sure NO shows this year....

Good luck with your recovery. Don't make the same mistake that I did when I broke my hand, try to keep your diet in check. I put on too much fat because I ate like crap being depressed about being out off the gym. You will be done with your rehab before you know it.

 

[slat1]

Sorry about the leg.
Use this time as an opportunity. Plan out a diet to get to where ever you want to be (if you are not already there). Follow it to a "T". When you are laid up it is easy to just eat all the time. Make sure you eat properly. When you are back at full strength you will be glad you did!
I did the above when I broke my ankle/leg and it got me past a plateau.
Try to turn the negative into a positive!

 

[jenscats5]

Thanks all!! I think I'll start a "Recovery Log" thread so I make sure I stay on track!!

 

[caligirl]

Don't think he explained the flexion part - you know why??

He said we *had* to wait the 4 weeks....

Swelling and flexion are directly related. With swelling, you will have limited flexion. As to why you would need to gain this prior to surgery, I had no clue, because you will be starting from scratch again post op, with even more swelling and lack of movement. I didn't get it , so I called my MD yesterday, he got back to me this morning.
I'll make it short: When asked about the 4 week wait, he said it's partly due to administrative and insurance issues. He said 3-4 weeks. During the wait they found it better for the patient to be active in PT rather than sitting and losing more muscle. He also said ACL's can be done same day of injury given there is no other injury that would take precedence. In an athletes case he would not wait, but go asap due to proprioception lost, strength lost and the psycholigical toll taken on an athlete. As far as flexion extension question, he said in a sedentary or moderately active person, it gives them a better idea of what to expect post op. Of course this was all put to me in laymans terms... He said much more, but you get the picture.



side note: most PT offices have a hand bike, used for shoulder rehab. You can ask your PT if it's possible to use after your sessions to get in some cardio ..... works killer.

 

[KBEKQT]

SO sorry to hear about this Jen! Major bummer...

To answer the PT before surgery issue, a lot of orthos want to see what kind of range of motion you can re-gain before they cut you up, sometimes it allows for a less invasive surgery...that could be good news, right?! A friend of mine took a spill on his motorcycle before Xmas and is just now getting scheduled for surgery...he had PT for 6 weeks and that was the reason behind it...2d opinion agreed as well.

Hang in there...I'll b thinking about you.

 

[iceprincess]

How are you doing Jens? Any new information?

Hang in there and know that we are all behind you!

 

[jenscats5]

Yep! Got some updated info....

Went to the Orthopedist again today.....he looked over the MRI - ACL is torn and I have a bone bruise - so it appears my leg came down hard - such as when falling off a curb or obstacle in a straight-legged manner. No meniscus or MCL damage.....

I'm to go to PT as directed & the PT person will advise me on what exercise I can & cannot do, activity level, etc....Ice 20-30 mins on, 1 hour off - 4-5 times a day....I see him again in 2 weeks & it looks like surgery will be in early to mid March.....

Also went to PT for my 1st visit - they made me cry.....LOL Did a bunch of tests to see how much I can bend my leg, etc etc & how much strength I have in my leg.....Hooked me up to some electrode device which shot electricity thru my leg - which startled me & sort of hurt at the same time.....I go for PT again on Wed & Fri this week....yay!!

Going to try & go to the gym tomorrow for some upper body work on my own....

 

[momsgettinfit]

Sorry to hear about this Jen! Hang in there hun, sending you good vibes!!!!!

 

[Sassy69]

There's something sort of hardcore about "Yea, I gotta go do my PT today, you know, skiing injury. Really put a crimp in my competition season. I gotta watch my upper body workouts so I don't throw off my symmetry."

 

[Afgrl]

Best wishes and I hope you have a speedy recovery, Jens!!

 

[jenscats5]

There's something sort of hardcore about "Yea, I gotta go do my PT today, you know, skiing injury. Really put a crimp in my competition season. I gotta watch my upper body workouts so I don't throw off my symmetry."

LOL

Going to take me an hour to get down the 2 flights of stairs INTO the gym...oh and out too.... *sigh*