Tennis knee injury

[Ark mom]

About a month ago, I was playing in the midseason state tournament, which turned out great because the USTA insisted that all of my matches be played indoors due to my sunlight photosensitivity.  One team objected to playing indoors, but they were forced to do it or default the match. 

Anyway, during my last match, I hurt my knee.  Something popped, and I went down.  I could not walk on it without it buckling.   

It has taken me over a month to get my insurance company to agree to an MRI.  They denied it and denied it.  I still cannot walk on my knee without it buckling.  I have been on crutches and a full leg brace ever since.  I can walk a little now without the crutches as long as I have the brace on. 

Today I got my MRI!!!!  My dad, a radiologist, gave me a quick read afterward. I have a contusion of my tibia, a 2/3 tear through my lateral meniscus, and a partial tear of my LCL.  The ACL is intact, thankfully.  All of this from just a doubles tennis match, not soccer, not football! 

An orthopedist is in my near future and also, most likely, a surgery to repair the meniscus.  I am bummed about it all, but I suppose it could be much worse. 

[slccom]

Awww!!! I'm so sorry. I hope you heal properly and quickly! I miss my tennis playing days.
Hugs, Sharon

[CMNK12]

   Sorry to hear that Ark Mom. Hoping they can fix you up quickly and as painlessly as possible. CK

[odie]

I am sorry for your injury but JEALOUS that you were able to play tennis.  Not really jealous but wish I could get through a 1/4 mile walk without dropping.  Hope you heal quickly and get back on the court.

[Carolina]

Well, I'm not sure they actuallly repair the meniscus.

take out the torn parts.

Do a transplant if you're under 45.

I had a torn meniscus with the torn part jammed into my knee joint.  Surgery removed that piece.

Too old for transplants.

Here's WebMD on the subject of meniscus tears

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/meniscus-repair

A lot depends on the size of the tear.

I would say tennis is pretty stressful.

But only you can decide what it's worth to you.

Keep us posted

Hugs

Elaine

[Cricket]

Ark mom

Sorry to hear of your injury, hoping you get the treatment you need and healing is fast and painless!

Cricket~

[Ark mom]

Thanks guys for the support!  I saw a PT today who gave me some isometric exercises and stretching to do while I am waiting to see an orthopedist.  I will keep you updated. 

[Ark mom]

Update!  I saw an orthopedist today.  He looked at my MRI and after giving me a knee exam, he concluded that I indeed have an ACL tear.  I am scheduled for a reconstructive surgery on June 14th.  I will have the meniscus tear "cleaned up" as well.  He was not concerned about that very much. 

I am disappointed for sure.  I had 3 different radiologists look at my MRI, and 2 said that my ACL was fine, including my very knowledgable dad.  The third radiologist said that my ACL might have a partial tear because it looked wavy in the images.  But, due to the instability of my knee and the large pop I had, the ortho concluded that it was a complete tear. 

I am already keying myself up with dread and anxiety to the 10th degree. 

[Joe S.]

I agree with odie about wishing you well and being jealous. I hope the surgery helps and you regain full mobility.

[CMNK12]

    Sorry to hear that... but maybe now you can be the bionic woman...better, faster, stronger. Or is that Wonderwoman? Sorry, just trying to cheer you up, hard to get the humor over the net sometimes.    CK

[Ark mom]

Ha, ha CMK12!  I grew up with in the bionic man and woman!  I made similar sound effects when I was running....

Thank you, Joe, for your well wishes!  Don't be too jealous, I am not doing squat, now!  LOL.

Litliwlowa, thank you for your reply about your surgeries.  I am debating the patellar graft vs hamstring graft for the next few weeks.  Which one did you have?  I read that 40% of patellar graft patients have permanent knee pain, mostly when performing deep knee bends.  Hamstring grafts are more complicated and have a longer recovery period.  I don't mind healing longer. 

Apparently some people can lose their ACL and still walk around!  Wow. My knee buckles instantly.  I am fairly athletic, despite 20 extra pounds, which I am dieting to remove.  It is depressing, especially with two little kids at home to care for. 

[slccom]

[/quote]
My knee situation that necessitated the original reconstruction of both was from injuries sustained in automobile accident when engine block came through the dash. I have no idea what the surgeon did then.
[/quote]

I'm wondering if your AI diseases showed up after that? Rather often people had a major trauma right before they became sick.

That was one horrific crash! While I'm sorry for your suffering, I'm glad you are here on this forum!
Sharon

[Ark mom]

I had my ACL reconstruction done yesterday.  Everything went as expected, and he said that I have a good strong knee, despite the torn ACL.  He cleaned up my torn meniscus, too. 

I spent yesterday vomiting from anesthesia and pain meds.  I thought I had a handle on it, but this morning, 5 minutes after I took my morning pain meds, I vomited it up!  They all dissolved, and so I don't know how much, if any, is left in my system.  This sucks.

[CMNK12]

   Glad your surgery is done and that your knee will function well again. Sorry about the nausea and vomiting. Can the doctor call you something in for that? Maybe some zofran ? Works like a charm if you take it before vomiting, Phenergan with vomiting. Good luck. CK

[Carolina]

Seems like you are allergic to the pain meds?

I'm allergic to codeine and codeine analog drugs.

I used to vomit them, but now I just get unbearable itching which as amazing as it seems is worse than pain.

Have you tried Aleve?  Ask for a muscle relaxant so you can rest perhaps?

No fun, but you're on the road to recovery.

Don't forget to breathe.

Elaine