i have a torn ligament, read below?

Question

i was at a footall game and i injured my leg(torn ligament) and the doctor said i wouldn't be able to walk normal for a month, by the next week i was walking normally and i could barely run(but with pain) and now my leg is swollen, oh, and it hurts when i keep it straight what could i do to get better

Answer 1

I recommend icing. Ice helps swelling to reduce (but DONT use heat... heat will increase pain and problems when there's already inflammation). It'll also help relax the muscles, as your entire leg is probably having spasms and things because of the extra work of compensating for this problem (think of it like when you pull a muscle in, for example, the right shoulder... your left shoulder may start to hurt instead/in addition... this is because it is working harder, to try to compensate for the other side's problem). So, icing (15 minutes at a time once every hour or two for a few days) will likely improve it overall.


Oh, and if the doctor tells you a certain time period, like a month in this case... listen! Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD. There is a difference between having capability and actually being ready... by doing something before the given time period (a time period that, based on an average taken from thousands of similar cases, is pretty much a golden rule) you're risking more serious or permanent damage. By being capable of or not feeling pain from doing certain activities, you're not necessarily "well" yet. Go back to your doctor, tell him what happened, and when he gives you new advice, take it.

Also... I'm not sure this is something that will heal on its own. When my mom was passenger in a serious auto collision, ligaments and tendons in her shoulders (she was a massage therapist, to give you an idea of how serious this issue became) tore. She continued working for months (on doctor's advice, no less!) because she felt no real problems, and the doctors seemed to think it was okay. Over time, it got worse. For years she lived with it, but the problems never healed on their own. Years after the collision she had to have surgery on each shoulder (separated by only 3 months... basically disabling her entirely her ability to function after the second)... She is getting better, but by no means as good as she was, and that's probably because she continued to put strain on her body by practicing massage therapy while this injury was taking over. If you want full function back again, so you can get back to your normal activities, I STRONGLY suggest not pushing the limits.

If it hurts to keep it straight, don't straighten. Keep it elevated, prop pillows under your knees, and stay off it. Ice often, and don't massage (it'll probably just irritate the area). Don't take a bunch of painkillers and then think you're good to go, because they only numb/mask the pain! You'll end up compounding the damage. And more than anything, (again) get back to the doctor! Ask him what the prospect is, if you'll need surgery, etc.

Answer 2

You must rest it and consult an orthopaedic surgeon. If you don't rest properly it could suddenly get far worse and become a chronic (long term) problem. If you can't afford consultancy, then rest it and be very careful for at least 6 weeks, see a physiotherapist and rehabilitate at with a recommended schedule. Your local doctor may not be a specialist in this area, and, if so, may give a wrong diagnosis. There are many possible injuries you could have from the description you have given. Can you describe where the swelling is, where the pain is, what type of pain you have (sharp, deep acheing, localised...)? Whatever else you do, rest, stop playing football for a while and avoid doing anything that causes pain.

Answer 3

If the doctor told you a month, then most definitley wait a month to do any kind of activity on your leg. I did the same thing to my shoulder and I tried to be all superman and I prolonged my injury to way over 2 moths that the doctor rcomended. So make sure you are giving your leg alot of rest. If it hurts to keep it straight then give it a slight bend, just don't leave it in one spot for too loong because you will get a frozen joint and it will hurt like heck. Like you're not in enough pain already. I know how bad it hurts. Main thing, give it rest and don't get all crazy until it is fully healed or it may not ever heal correctly

Answer 4

I've got a torn ligament in my ankle, and it does the same thing. Until you have the surgery, it will keep doing that. You won't be 100% until you get the surgery.

Answer 5

you,re in trouble, you,ve damaged something. it will not heal. you need to see an orthopedic surgeon to find out just what went south, 'cause it did. i had knee pain. an x ray didn,t show soft tissue damage. it took an MRI, and a visit to an orthopedic surgeon to find out that i had a torn meniscus. the family doc will just refer you. this happened to me. ice and elevate the leg as much as possible. no sports. take ibuprofen for swelling/pain. i had to have surgery, as i was severely arthritic. you,re young, which is to your advantage. i,m 63. don,t wait. if you enjoy crutches, just ignore this problem.