Need help//what is this injury called?

Question

Can someone please help me evaluate what type of knee injury occured to me? Was it ACL, tendonitis, etc..



Okay, about 3 months ago, i was playing soccer for my team and i made a sharp turn and my right knee had a "giving out.'' but from what i remember, i didnt hear anything. But, i kept on playing the game even though i had great pain in my knee. When i got home, my knee was VERY swollen and it was so for the next few weeks[it felt like there was fluid in it], and i couldn't make it straight without it hurting badly and when i would walk, i would feel random giving out feelings in my knee when i made my leg straight even a little.

All help is GREATLY appreciated!!

Answer 1

Sounds like ligament damage, cartilage (menisci) damage, or both! A CT or x-ray may not be necesaary (especially since x-ray is very poor at visualising soft tissue), best to have an orthopaedic exam done by a GP/Physio/Chiro. There may be fragments of torn cartilage floating in the joint, limiting your leg straightening at times. The best imaging for this type of thing is MRI, but I'm only speculating - would need a full history and exam first.

Answer 2

There is a very good chance you tore your ACL, or possibly a meniscus. The description of your accident indicates the same.

You can continue on without an ACL, but you'd need a great deal of physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee to make up for the lack of an ACL. Most people opt for surgery to repair the ACL.

An MRI will be needed to determine if you do have a torn ACL or meniscus.

Answer 3

It's hard to say without an X-ray or a CT report in front of me and I don't want to mislead you.

It may have been a bad sprain or strain. From what you said, there was soft tissue damage. Have your doctor look at this. There may old damage still present.