Knee injury brothers/sisters: will it ever be "normal" again?

Discussion in 'Rider Down' started by maximililian, Aug 26, 2014.

  1. maximililian

    maximililian You Sneaky Cork-Soaker!

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    So I'm riding my motorcycle, waaaay up on Angeles Crest...heading back down..... maybe 5-8 miles north of Newcomb's Ranch. I was coming around a corner, when I tapped the front brake just a little.....and hit a patch of sand. The front-end washes out; and during this, I end up stabbing my foot down to try to regain control. BUT (and this is a lesson learned), I put the foot down in FRONT of my body. Thus, the foot planted firmly and the knee ended up taking the shock by straightening out then hyperextending. It all took 1/10th of a second at most, but I instantly knew I did damage to my knee. However, I do not think I tore any ligaments...just stretched/sprain.

    Long story short, it's now been 1 week. The first morning after this happened, I thought I was screwed, as the pain was intense, and I couldn't walk at all. But now, I'm doing a lot better. The range of motion is reduced....but getting better. I can straighten it almost all the way, and bend it more than 90 degrees. It's stable in all directions. I even did a 4 mile hike yesterday, with 900' elevation gain. I've decided that I'm going to give it 2 weeks exactly before deciding whether or not to get an MRI, etc. So far, I can walk just fine (with a weird gate and slight limp though).....and plan on trying to do a basic ride this afternoon, maybe at La Tuna or something. I'm just wondering who else has injured their knee, and how long it took to be "normal" again? Right now, I feel like I'll never get past over-thinking it and favoring that knee. Maybe everyone goes through this and things slowly just get back to "normal" with time, where you simply don't think about it anymore?

    Thanks!
     
  2. bing!

    bing! Active Member

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    Let it rest, min 2 weeks. Ice it. Take anti-inflammatories. By the end of your second week, try some self therapy to regain range of movement. 6-10 weeks total for recovery.

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/368578-strengthening-exercises-for-a-hyperextended-knee/

    I did the same to my elbow. I hyper-extended it. Try not to over do the PT. It should ache, but not hurt. The regimen above worked.

    I sprained my ankle and a buddy suggested to just let it rest. I'm on 6 weeks and it still hurts. I vote for self PT if a therapist is not an option.
     
  3. kaboomims

    kaboomims New Member

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    As someone who tore his MCL/ACL after re-injuring it which could have totally been prevented, get an MRI. I can't ride aggressively until it's fixed and it wasn't fun.
     
  4. Judge Shredd

    Judge Shredd Member

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    I hyper extended my knee once coming off of a jump and was in the same mindset that I was screwed. I just gave it time and it ended up being just fine. If it doesn't get better after a few weeks, getting it checked out might not be a bad idea.:beer:
     
  5. firemedic85

    firemedic85 Member

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    If you have insurance get an MRI sounds like it could be a tear to the miniscus. Even if it's torn you still might get away with therapy but at least you will know the underlying issue. Same thing happened to me two years ago.
     
  6. Bonsainut

    Bonsainut Was ich nicht weiß...

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    Just sayin... artificial knees are an amazing thing. So when you say will it ever be "normal" again - give it 30 years, and trade it in for a new model!
     
  7. fongster

    fongster Active Member

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    Asking orthopedic advice from a crew who has little, if no medical education not to mention hasn't seen your injury in person? If you have insurance, get into your primary doc asap so you can get referred to an ortho. BTW, I love everyone here (most everyone, lol) but just being logical/realistic.
     
  8. mike001

    mike001 Well-Known Member

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    ^^^ +1

    Knees are kinda important. Err on the side of prudence. Heal speedily and thoroughly!
     
  9. Dr. Paul Addison

    Dr. Paul Addison New Member

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    Hey Max, it sounds like you could have strained/torn your ACL with a hyperextension injury. Meniscus and ACL injuries typically happen together. I would recommend seeing someone in an integrated Physical Medicine clinic. They will collaborate with any Orthopedic Surgeon you may want to see, but see things from a different perspective than, "this needs surgery". Granted, most ACL tears will need surgery if you are in rotational sports (mountain biking would qualify) but it's the quality of the rehab that determines most of the outcome. Message me if you need help finding a qualified provider in your area. The worst thing you can do it think it will heal on it's own without a Doctor of Physical Therapy or Physical Medicine specialist to help.
     
  10. dstepper

    dstepper (R.I.P.) Over the hill

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    I hyperextended both knees getting ragdolled when I when off the trail on Strawberry Peak. For about 4 months I need to use a rope to pull myself in and out of bed and the couch. Walking up down stairs was painful. Could pedal my bike around put could not put stress on my knees with out it pain or feeling like it was going to pop out of the joint. It is now a year later and I still have pain once in awhile when I twist my leg wrong and I still hesitate in putting a pressure on it riding. My single speed has not been ridded in over a year.

    Dean
     
  11. badbietz

    badbietz Get Rad

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    I've partially torn both my ACL snowboarding, about 20%, it took a little while and some physical therapy to get back to feeling OK and then some weight training to feel normal where I don't think about it however I do wear a brace on that leg when snowboarding now. A good doc can do some preliminary joint tests to see if he can feel the ACL grabbing if there is an issue they will recommend Xray first (cheaper for insurance) and then MRI.

    On the flip side my wife completely tore her ACL and and damaged MCL and the doc knew right away and after MRI had to wait a few weeks for swelling to go down and then into surgery. She rehabbed and then got back into the gym and she is all good now.

    The CTI braces are great, they make an off the shelf one and you can get them for $300-400 if you shop around, great braces for MX or Snowboarding, never MTB in them though.
     

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