Anterior Cruciate Ligament Problem?

Question

I am in the Czech Republic, and am having a hard time finding a doctor I trust is really thinking hard about my problem. The first doctor I went to felt the area and said my knee problem was due to some bad knee rotation incident, and it was affecting the meniscus, though she said it was not torn.

Then I went to the best hospital in Prague. The doctor there said it as an Anterior Cruciate Ligament problem, which he didn't think was too bad.

However, I think it is getting worse, not better. When the problem first started, both my knees were sore from something I did in the gym. As the weeks passed, only my right knee hurt, but it was the whole knee area, back, sides, and front.

Now I can definitely pinpoint the one thumbprint sized spot, on the inside part of the knee.

What will make this problem go away?
How long will it take?
Why has it not gotten better?
If I have to have surgery, how long before recovery?
Can I permanently injure it by walking?

Answer 1

Hi, I had the ACL reconstruction 7 years ago. You need to get an MRI done so the doctors can determine exactly what is wrong. I just re-injured my knee and tore the MCL now. I recently had to get an MRI to see if the meniscus was torn. They can't tell from just an xray or by feeling around for it. The same goes for the ACL, too. If you need ACL reconstruction surgery it takes a few months to recover from it. I have 2 screws in mine that are permanent. If you don't need it reconstructed, then they can do arthroscopic surgery on it that isn't as bad. The physical therapy part afterwards is really bad if you get the reconstruction but you have to do everything that they tell you to do, or you'll always have problems with it. As far as walking on it right now- I would stay off it for now, until you find out exactly what is going on in there. I just found out today that I'm going to need surgery for this new injury so I kind of know how you feel. Get on the doctors to set you up for an MRI so you can finally get the treatment that you need. I wish you well + you can IM or email me anytime you want. In fact just email me anyway to let me know what happens. Good luck!!!

Answer 2

I just had ACL reconstruction 6 weeks ago so I can tell you that you need to have an MRI (that will tell them exactly what is torn) hopefully, you can easily get this fixed by arthroscopic surgery, which only leaves a couple small scars to the knee and recovery time is minimal. or if you have to have the reconstruction like I did, you'll have a larger scar and a loooong rehabilitation process. either way - I wish you the best of luck I know what you're going through - email me sometime and let me know what's up or if you have any questions, I'm also a nurse!