Question - Walking (after unhappy triad)

by Mike
(Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)

I tore my ACL, MCL and Meniscus 13 days ago. I went off my crutches on day 10 and began walking. I'm still wearing the immobilizer brace.

Is this too soon to begin walking and am I subject to further injury by continuing to walk?

I don't see the specialist for another 9 days.

MR

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Question - Walking (after unhappy triad)

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Jul 08, 2008
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Keep it pain free...
by: Bart - SII

Walking, with the knee in the immobilizer is probably not going to cause any more damage to the internal structures of the knee - keeping it pain free or relatively pain free is a good idea and will help you know if you are doing too much.

Stresses to the MCL are usually seen with movement of the knee, hence the immobilizer. Meniscus is stressed with weight bearing some, but it is usually increased with movement - again with the immobilizer. And if the ACL is completely torn, there is no more damage to be done - and walking wouldn't hurt the ACL further anyway.

So, as long as it isn't painful (or very painful) to walk, you should be ok. I would talk with your physician to make sure you are both on the same page, but using pain as your guide is a good way to know if you are doing too much.

Hope this helps - comment back if you have other questions.