i found out monday that i had torn my ACL, so the doc put me in a brace and on crutches... they haven't done an MRI yet because of my insurance, to see how bad the damage is... it seemed like it was getting better yesterday... not much swelling, very little pain, but today as i was trying to get around i kept feeling my knee pop... it didn't hurt really, but just kept doing it... like i said i'm in a brace so i can't move it much but when i try to readjust myself in a chair or on the couch it does move some... now a couple of hours ago it really got to bothering me and it doesn't seem to want to ease up any... any suggestions...
2007-03-14 17:12:08 · 8 answers · asked by tabby261 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
the doctor said it was my ACL...i don't guess it means she's right, but i have been taking meds and keeping ice on it as much as i can but i have a 3 year old...can only do so much
2007-03-14 17:23:07 · update #1
well i'm not very athletic.... i do have a seizure disorder however...they said that it has put tremendous amount of strain on my joints, so this didn't help much. i was working outside when this happened, just doing a little yard work
2007-03-14 17:50:27 · update #2
The popping sound that you hear is probably just the torn ligament sitting under the part of your Femur (upper leg bone) that rolls on your tibia (lower leg bone) and when they move the torn ligament impedes the movement and when enough pressure is applied it will move out of the way with a popping sound. This is why it does not hurt.
I am not sure what your mechanism of injury was, as for what else may have been damaged, but activity is possible with just a torn ACL. The musculature surrounding the knee offers plenty of support for most individuals. In fact, exercises for your hamstrings are a good idea to help compensate for the lack of an ACL. Often young athletes tear their ACL and because their growth plates in their bones have not healed yet, they can still participate in their sport with a proper brace.
The best thing to do is to see a physiotherapist. They are able to provide proper bracing and do functional tests to identify for sure which ligaments and other structures may be damaged. They will also be able to give you rehabilitation exercises in the meantime. The MRI is more to give Doctors an idea of what is needed for surgery.
Don’t worry too much about it; you would be surprised how many people are walking around out there without integral ligaments. Just avoid sudden stopping and turning movements and it will be fine. Once the swelling goes down and you get weight bearing the ligament should find a good place to sit and your knee should stop popping so much.
2007-03-14 17:45:23 · answer #1 · answered by skruffy_mutt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do what your doctor says. I am recovering from an ACL replacement right now. I was never instructed to use heat, just ice. Control the swelling with ice, helps with the pain too.
It is a painful injury to recover from. I tore mine running so it was a little more traumatic, I had bone bruising as well. I was in a brace and crutches for a week or so, then started walking again (before surgery).
Some people don't even repair their ACL (technically replace it because it can't be repaired). It depends on your age and lifestyle. The leg will not be as stable if you don't have it repaired.
good luck with it.
2007-03-15 15:26:00 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you tore your ACL because of an accident, somebody's insurance might cover. Whatever you do, don't fool around with an injury like that (a torn ACL and a broken tibia ended a football career for me because I didn't take care of the injuries properly. You can get free or reduced cost care, but take care of it. At worst, have it taken care of, get billed, then work out a payment plan. ANYTHING is better than being handicapped by an injury unnecessarily.
2007-03-15 00:21:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the Anterior Cruciate Ligament is damaged, it really shouldn't bare any weight at all. That is what you have the crutches for, to be NON weight baring on that leg.
When you are moving around the damaged leg should be suspended in the air, not even touching the ground.
2007-03-15 03:37:23 · answer #4 · answered by The Alchemist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you sure it was an acl? it could be a torn miniscus. only an mri will tell for sure. keep it elevated and iced and take an anti inflamitory like ibuprofen or advil or aleve and just take it easy so you dont do anymore damage
2007-03-15 00:18:26 · answer #5 · answered by cacowboy_06 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would stay off of it for a day and see how i does, and iceing it would bring down the swelling.
2007-03-15 00:15:30 · answer #6 · answered by metman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stay off it and try alternating with heat, then cold compresses ask the doc first if that is ok.
2007-03-15 00:22:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try asking a relative or freind to look after your child and relax
2007-03-15 01:16:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋