Sports Injury Info

Ben's Right Knee - Torn Meniscus or ACL?

by Ben
(Palmdale, CA)

I injured my right knee playing basketball on 9/16/08. I planted my foot to jump and felt sharp pain on the knee and I could not put any weight on it for like 5 minutes. I was able to walk with a limp after that.

The swelling has gone done now, but I cannot bend nor straighten my leg. There's a sharp pain on the back of the knee on the joint area when i try to bend or straighten the knee.

Could this be a possible torn meniscus or an acl injury?

Also, my PCP wants me to see a Rheumotologist becuase of fluid in the knee. I was actually pushing for an MRI. Do you think it is a waste of time seeing an Athritis doctor for my acute knee injury?

Comments for
Ben's Right Knee - Torn Meniscus or ACL?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 05, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		meniscus or ACL
by: Bart - SII

It does sound to me like you have some type of injury within the knee - either an ACL or mensicus tear. I am not sure why a Rheumatologist was suggested with an acute injury - I would think that an MRI would be the next course of action to determine if there is pathology within the knee - if that shows up as negative, then perhaps exploring other reasons for why you have swelling would be a good idea.

I would discuss a referral to an orthopedist.

Bart
Oct 10, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		MRI Results
by: Ben

I just got my MRI results and it showed torn ACL and torm Meniscus. Going to see my Orthopedist tomorrow. Long and hard days ahead of me :(
Oct 10, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Oh No!
by: Bart - SII

Ben, so sorry to hear about your MRI results. Good luck with your recovery - read through the ACL surgery stories on the site - they are inspiring and will answer lots of the questions you will have in the coming weeks.

Hang in there...

Bart
Oct 12, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Back to Work...
by: Ben

Bart, how many weeks do you think I need before I can return to work if I decide to go with the ACL reconstruction? I'm an Accountant and I pretty much sit the whole day in front of the computer. Getting to work is not an issue because I can take the train.
Oct 12, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		return to work
by: Bart - SII

Ben, most of my ACL patients have been able to return to desk type work (or school for my younger patients) within a week. The biggest concern is being able to elevate and ice periodically - so if you can prop your knee up at your desk and take a couple 20 minute breaks to ice, you should be able to be back in work within a week.

The surgeons I work with most often usually do ACL's on Thursdays or Fridays, and many students return to school by the following Tuesday - and that involves crutching from class to class.

Bart
Oct 15, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Allograft using Achillies Tendon
by: Ben

I just saw my doctor today and we talked about surgery. He told me that he only does Allograft using achillies tendon. I have not heard or read about this option. Is this something common nowadays? Surgery will be on Nov 18 and I will definitely keep you updated (acl story section)
Oct 16, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		achilles allograft
by: Bart - SII

Allografts for ACL reconstructions are becoming more frequently used, especially in patients who are older (over 25) and who have less demanding activity levels (ie no football).

The achilles tendon has been increasing in popularity for an allograft choice - this is partially due to the lack of bone-patellar tendon-bone donor tissue availability, and to the success so far with the achilles tendon grafts.

If your surgeon has done a lot of these procedures and has had good success and outcomes, it should be ok. I would talk to them about how long they have been using this type of graft, how their patients fair after surgery, their failure rate, etc.

Bart

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Sports Injury Answers - Knee




The Athletic Trainer's Corner

Email

Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure. I promise to use it onlyto send you The Athletic Trainers Corner.




Sports Injury Info





Home | Whats New | Newsletter | Disclaimer | Contact SII

© 2004-2008 Sports Injury Info, All Rights Reserved
Information on this site is for educational purposes only