Hi,

A couple of weeks ago I was playing 5 aside football (soccer) and my right leg straightened causing a hyper-extension of the knee. Upon doing this I felt a pop and instantly felt the pain behind my knee.

I went straight to the hospital and after waiting for 4 hours was seen by a doctor who literally took about 2 minutes to assess my injury by performing various stress/mobility tests on my knee and concluded that there was no breaks or tears. There was no swelling at this point, just stiffness and pain. I was not given an crutches or knee supports from the hospital. I had my own sports knee support anyway so would use that.

The next day I woke up and there was a fair bit of stiffness, swelling above the knee and behind the knee joint.

Since then I have been taking Wikipedia reference-linkanti-inflammatory drugs, keeping the leg elevated as much as possible (i.e when not in work - office job so sitting down a lot) and applying an ice wrap (gel inside the lining that goes in the freezer).

However almost 2 weeks later there is still swelling above and behind the knee. Is this normal? it is possible that I do have a partial tear of the ACL or other ligament and this has not been diagnosed, as I said I was assessed very quickly by the doctor.

I can walk without crutches whilst wearing my knee support but with a slight limp.

It is at its stiffest in the morning. the afternoon and evening it is ok to walk on. I can also go up stairs fairly easily, going down is more difficult.

So does it sound like I do have a tear and is there anything else I can do to aid the recovery?

Also I am going on holiday this weekend to Las Vegas, so a 7 hour flight to Philidelphia followed by another 5 hour flight to las vegas (3 hour wait at philidelphia). Will I be ok on the flight? and is there anything I should do on the plane to ensure it is ok?

Thanks
Chris

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