ACL / PCL Grade One after 6 months

[telluride76]

Hi Everyone,

I badly twisted my knee in a skiing accident 7 months ago, there was a definite noise when my leg twisted which felt like something had 'gone'. Within days I had an X-ray, which showed no damage or increased signs of fluid in or around the knee. There was no swelling, but the knee was extremely painful for a couple of weeks and 7 months later I still experience some discomfort / pain. I'm unable to bike ride or run without increasing the discomfort I already feel. Due to my symptoms I assumed I had an MCL tear / sprain which had got slightly better over the 7 months.

Yesterday I received my MRI results over the phone. The lady told me that my meniscus was intact, but there was a Grade 1 Sprain to the ACL & PCL. I will not have access to a physio or doctor for 2 months and due to the Data Protection issues I cannot get the report sent to me so I am unable to forward to my trusted physio clinic.

My questions are; Is it likely that the sprain has always been a grade 1, or could it have improved over the 7 month period I've been waiting for a scan?
What are the possible treatment options & prognosis for an injury such as this?

I'm an active, physically fit 38 year old male with no previous issues with my left knee. I feel irregular pain and discomfort around the MCL with infrequent episodes of my knee giving way. The pain is most prominent after laying sideways. According to the doctor, the Valgus stress didn't show signs or a ruptured MCL and my symptoms have definitely improved, however I am unable to do anything like run, bike, cross trainer.

Any advice you peeps could give would be greatly appreciated. It would be great if I could get on with some kind of rehab whilst waiting to get home to my physio.

Thanks in advance.

Gav

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[rod physio]

Hi Telluride,
From my experience MRI's are not 100% accurate. I would first try to get to an orthopaedic specialist or a physiotherapist to clear the ligaments/meniscus in your knee. These specialists perform the knee tests more frequently then a GP so have a better feel when conducting them. From your symptoms (especially the recurrent giving way) it is possible that the medial meniscus has been torn or that the ACL damage is more than a grade I. A proper examination will determine this.