2 weeks after possible ACL/MCL tear

While on vacation in California 2 weeks ago, I injured my left knee.  It got hit in the air by another player's knee during a basketball game.  There was no pop or immediate/major swelling, but there was pain on the inside of the knee.  I had a few episodes of the knee giving out and swelling eventually increased so 2 days after I went to an orthopedic doctor. He confirmed my suspicion that I had an MCL sprain, but said I may have also injured my ACL and meniscus.  I have no medical insurance and was there on vacation, so he decided not to order the MRI and advised me to wait until I get back home, observe the knee then have it checked again after a couple of weeks.

I've been icing and elevating the knee and used an immobilizer for about a week after the injury.  Right now there is still some tenderness on the inside of the knee and range of motion is limited (I can straighten it, but bending is difficult).  I do intend to see a doctor again, but I'm hoping he can diagnose without an MRI. As I mentioned, I have no insurance so the cost would just kill me.

My question is what should I be doing right now to help my knee heal in the meantime.  Or a better question, what should I NOT do?  Should I continue to use the immobilizer?  Should I avoid putting any weight on it?  I've been confined to the house so I don't do a lot of walking.  My left quad has atrophied so I do straight leg raises to help build up the muscle.  I read somewhere restoring ROM is important - I want to try heel slides but I don't know if bending the knee is counterproductive to healing.

[CassCore]

Hey girl! I'm sorry you had this injury! I am a recent graduate with a bachelor's in athletic training so I see ACL and MCL tears all the time. If your MCL is torn it will heal on its own unlike the ACL which needs surgical intervention. The only way to truly tell if an ACL is torn is by MRI and I'm not sure if a surgeon would go in without seeing any pictures at all. Plus if a MRI is gonna kill you financially, surgery will be bad too!!

I would say as long as you aren't doing any quick cutting movements you can walk on your injured leg. Taking Ibprophen for pain is good (take it with food and follow the directions on the lable) do not take it if you have a history of stomach ulcers. Doing straight leg raises is a great idea do them laying on your stomach, sitting with your legs straight out, and laying on each side. Also just sitting with your legs out straight in front of you and flexing both quads and holding the contraction for 10 seconds and repeating the exercise 5 times or so is good too. If you strengthen your quad really well and can manage pain and swelling you really can have a functional life. The problem surfaces when you want to be active and play sports....you can always hurt it again and start at square 1. If you want to be active and play sports and all that good stuff surgery is probably your best option, but if you just want to be able to perform activities of daily living strengthening is very important. Doing balance exercises are useful too. Standing one legged on the injured leg (keep a stable surface near by in case you loose your balance) for as long as you can...then when that gets easy do the same thing standing on a pillow and then when that gets easy do the same thing but with your eyes closed. Strengthening hamstrings is good too! So yeah I know this is a ton of info and I can give you more if you want lol but these things should get you started!!! Good luck!!

[CassCore]

Hey girl! I'm sorry you had this injury! I am a recent graduate with a bachelor's in athletic training so I see ACL and MCL tears all the time. If your MCL is torn it will heal on its own unlike the ACL which needs surgical intervention. The only way to truly tell if an ACL is torn is by MRI and I'm not sure if a surgeon would go in without seeing any pictures at all. Plus if a MRI is gonna kill you financially, surgery will be bad too!!

I would say as long as you aren't doing any quick cutting movements you can walk on your injured leg. Taking Ibprophen for pain is good (take it with food and follow the directions on the lable) do not take it if you have a history of stomach ulcers. Doing straight leg raises is a great idea do them laying on your stomach, sitting with your legs straight out, and laying on each side. Also just sitting with your legs out straight in front of you and flexing both quads and holding the contraction for 10 seconds and repeating the exercise 5 times or so is good too. If you strengthen your quad really well and can manage pain and swelling you really can have a functional life. The problem surfaces when you want to be active and play sports....you can always hurt it again and start at square 1. If you want to be active and play sports and all that good stuff surgery is probably your best option, but if you just want to be able to perform activities of daily living strengthening is very important. Doing balance exercises are useful too. Standing one legged on the injured leg (keep a stable surface near by in case you loose your balance) for as long as you can...then when that gets easy do the same thing standing on a pillow and then when that gets easy do the same thing but with your eyes closed. Strengthening hamstrings is good too! So yeah I know this is a ton of info and I can give you more if you want lol but these things should get you started!!! Good luck!!

[islandgirl188]

Thanks for the the very helpful info! I went to see a a friend who is a sports therapist - he examined the knee and said that it does look like I have a torn ACL.  He gave me some strengthening exercises and the knee is improving a little bit.  I will also start PT sessions soon.