Pumpkin the robot
Guru
It looks like I have torn my ACL. I was hit on my left side by a red light jumping taxi (funny how everyone seems to think it is only cyclists that jump red lights!) whilst on my motorbike. I was taken to hospital and had a few x rays and sent home with no broken bones. A few months later I started physio as both knees were still swollen and I had limited movement in them, especially the left one. The physio thought I may have torn my acl and I was referred to the NHS. A month ago I saw a musculoskeletal specialist and she also thinks the ACL has been torn and I have an MRI to confirm it next week.
I have been doing some reading up on this and it seems that opinion is divided on whether to have surgery or not. I am seeing 2 physios now, a private one I have used before and one assigned by the taxi drivers insurance. One says to have it if offered and the other is on the fence. Cycling and running I could probably get away without surgery, but I also go skiing and play table tennis, so have side movement which would cause problems. The knee is unstable. I pivot around on the spot at work and this is where I notice it the most. I have started to try and avoid that movement, but it still catches me out a few times a day. I am 50 next year and do not really want to give up the sports I do.
It is now 4 months since the crash and I have been doing strength building exercises but the knee is still slightly swollen and numb to touch across the joint. I have lost about 20% range of movement. I have recently tried some walk/run and that lasted about 5 steps! I have done a couple of bike rides up to 15 miles but the knee swells up after the ride and causes me pain for a few days after. I am going to try doing shorter distances on the bike and see if I can do less, but more often.
I am inclined to take the surgery if offered, it seems there is a smaller chance of osteoarthritis in the long term. The rehab looks to be painful, but I would rather do that and have a better long term prognosis.
So what are people's experiences of acl injuries?
I have been doing some reading up on this and it seems that opinion is divided on whether to have surgery or not. I am seeing 2 physios now, a private one I have used before and one assigned by the taxi drivers insurance. One says to have it if offered and the other is on the fence. Cycling and running I could probably get away without surgery, but I also go skiing and play table tennis, so have side movement which would cause problems. The knee is unstable. I pivot around on the spot at work and this is where I notice it the most. I have started to try and avoid that movement, but it still catches me out a few times a day. I am 50 next year and do not really want to give up the sports I do.
It is now 4 months since the crash and I have been doing strength building exercises but the knee is still slightly swollen and numb to touch across the joint. I have lost about 20% range of movement. I have recently tried some walk/run and that lasted about 5 steps! I have done a couple of bike rides up to 15 miles but the knee swells up after the ride and causes me pain for a few days after. I am going to try doing shorter distances on the bike and see if I can do less, but more often.
I am inclined to take the surgery if offered, it seems there is a smaller chance of osteoarthritis in the long term. The rehab looks to be painful, but I would rather do that and have a better long term prognosis.
So what are people's experiences of acl injuries?