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ACL + Meniscus 1 year post op Complications

Hi everyone,

I'm 21 and I tore my left acl and meniscus skiing at the end of december 2010, and subsequently had surgery the following march.  I had a meniscus repair as well as the acl reconstruction so rather than walking straight away I had to spend around 6 weeks on crutches.  Admittedly I was not the best about using my crutches and probably stressed my knee too much around the 3 week mark, but I came off them at 6 weeks and started with physio a couple weeks later.

About a month into my physio I started developing a clicking in the medial side of the front of my knee.  It feels like it's just in behind my knee cap on the right side.  It cracks every time when I straighten my knee especially when I'm trying to contract it with force.

My knee has also been swollen and stiff ever since surgery, and is noticeably more so than my right normal knee.  The swelling really inflames when I walk around to class during the day and makes me limp if it's especially bad.  When I bike though, it seems that the swelling possibly decreases, and all the stiffness goes away.  

Another complaint that I have is that I cannot contract my hamstring enough to pull my foot back near the range of motion that i have with my other knee.  If i am to contract it my knee comes back just past 90 degrees where as my other leg can contract much further.

I've started to do more stretching and rolling out my muscles.  It felt better when I was first starting to the stretches and rolling but now I feel the stiffness in my knee back.  I've been to see my OS a few times, but he just keeps saying everything is fine and to keep doing physio.  I haven't really noticed any improvement in months with physio and I'm looking for a second opinion now.  This is a constant source of stress for me so any wisdom anyone here can impart on me is greatly appreciated.
2 Responses
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1711789 tn?1361308007
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi there!

Well, without a clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include inflammations, re-injuries, loose bodies, tendon injuries etc. I would suggest considering a follow-up with your treating orthopedician to consider the possibilities and for appropriate management.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
As well, when I contract my knee and place my hand on my knee cap, i can feal it heavily grinding as it nears the end of my range of motion (foot near butt).  It doesn't hurt when that happens though but is it just scar tissue?  
Helpful - 0
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