My ACL & Meniscus Injury

by Sian
(Shropshire, England.)

Hi
I'm 21, female and have been playing football ever since I was 6. Been very lucky with injuries, only ever sprained my ankle once.
Then on 31st October 2010 I fell awkwardly after going up to win the ball in the air. On landing I heard a distinctive popping noise, the pain was extremely intense for around 1/2 minutes (felt like hours!) I instantly knew it was bad and I was stretchered, paramedics arrived after around 20 minutes by this time it was slightly swollen and aching but not what I would call painful. I could walk on it but with a heavy limp.
As I was playing a couple of hours from home I decided not to go straight to A&E but to go when I arrived home. That evening I went to get it checked out. I hobbled into A&E had an x-ray and was told that I had probably sprained ligaments and to rest for 5-6 weeks.

4 weeks later I knew something still wasn't right so went to see my GP he referred me to a specialist as it was still slightly puffy and I was unable to fully extend (lock the knee).

It had been about 7 weeks since the injury and I was keen to get back into training so began light training.
I still hadn't received my appointment to see the specialist and my team were short of numbers and we had a crucial game coming up the beginning of January 2011 by this time I had been training regularly for 3 weeks so I decided to play. (it was very frustrating watching from the sidelines!)
I got through the game with only tweaking my knee a couple of times. I played the following week no problem.

Date to see specialist 3rd February.

My third game back on the 30th January 2011 I passed the ball not a player around me, I collapsed in a heap on the floor in agony the same knee and the same intense pain. Lighting had struck twice? Was I stupid to return this soon? Probably the latter but I was eager to get on that pitch and give my all.

Instantly my knee ballooned and I was stretchered off. I thought I would be ok to hop off so got taken to the bench and applied ice. However the pain didn't ease and I couldn't even hop as the pain was excruciating!
Went to A&E and again had x-ray, I was told I had probably tore my meniscus and as I was due to see the specialist in 4 days they sent me on my way with crutches.

The specialist first asked me how I sustained the injury then examined the knee. Instantly he said I think you've torn your ACL & Meniscus. I was put in a hinged brace and sent for an MRI 2 weeks later which confirmed the dreaded injury!

I had ACL reconstruction and Meniscus Repair on 17th March 2011. On awakening in recovery I was placed in a knee splint and was completely immobilized for 2 weeks. I'm not going to lie it was a tough couple of weeks and having to wear it 24/7 was extremely awkward. (The 2 weeks in the splint were a result of the meniscus repair had the torn meniscus been removed I would have been able to start PT almost instantly.)
It has now been just over 3 weeks since surgery and I am back in a hinged brace for another 3 weeks (set at 10? extension & 90? flexion)

My surgeon believes I tore my ACL when I originally injured it back in October 2010. He explained that with some ACL injuries athletes can often feel they are ready to return to playing although the knee my feel unstable at times. He also explained that it is very common to tear the meniscus if you continue to play with a torn ACL.

I started with PT last week and it was hard going I have to remain in the brace for PT and can currently only bend the knee to 50? My therapist said there is a lot of tension in my hip and back probably due to me compensating for my knee for so long. I just hope I see real improvement soon as I can feel the frustration mounting. I know it it going to be at least 6 months before I can get back into sports but right now I would be happy with being able to walk to the bathroom!

Looking back I was probably stupid returning to the field without getting it checked out by the specialist first but I am youngish and eager to get stuck in and do what I could for the team. I'm sure I'm not the only one, right?

Sian. Shropshire, England.