Fracture or no fracture that is the question

[Watecc]

I fell off a 4 foot high wall and severely hurt my knee. I couldn't weight bear and is swelled rapidly. Any a and X-ray ed it and diagnosis was some ligament damage and possible tibia fracture. 2nd opinion of X-Ray was there wasn't fracture. Was referred for a MRI which showed torn ACL and possible tibia fracture, but no bone marrow markers that would be expected with a fracture done 3 weeks ago.

now been referred for a CT scan although dr said it isn't fractured, I asked about what the MRI showed and he said the MRI was showing something which wasn't there. but don't weight bear!!

There not doing anything with the ACL until they work about about the suspect fracture.

i have no idea what is going on and need some advice on how I can help myself recover.

thanks in advance

Sally

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[physiobob]

Hi Sally, sorry to hear about your issues. Often with an acute trauma it is difficult to ascertain what's truly underlying when that something is small and not displaced (e.g. a small fracture). It can show what are called false positives. In case they do suspect a fracture they have advised you to non weightbear and if in fact you have torn your ACL I would have you in a brace to ensure you don't. 3 weeks is a long time though now not to have a diagnosis so I would be pushing the hospital involved (I expect it is NHS) and jump up and down a little about it.

If you have no fracture the ACL will need to be reconstructed in due course if you want to do sports. If not you can discuss the options later. In my opinion I would always have a recon. no matter what I was doing with my daily life, and at 35 you've got a long way to go. My current advice would be to get the fracture diagnosis confirmed or ruled out. If you have one this can mean anything from a brace to a cast for 6 to 8 weeks and then some rehab to get the leg going following. If it is just ACL then the swelling itself is going to take quite some time to reduce and it will be uncomfortable until it does. If the ACL is gone then there could also be meniscal damage which may or may not be restricting the full straightening and some bending of the knee (the swelling will reduce flexion of the knee in anycase). Such a blockage can also be the cause of persistent knee pain at this stage.

The NHS should be providing an ortho clinic with referral to the Physio's to assist with the acute ACL & possible other ligamentous issues. Unfortunately without a physical assessment of the knee it is hard to provide specific advice. They need to work with you to identify which stucutures are causing you the discomfort and then assist with treatment options for that.

If you find you are not getting very far in the next week I would suggest booking just an assessment with a good sports physio in your area to do a physical assessment and provide some initial advice. You could do this now even to give you more of an insight and hopefully some treatment and ideas to help reduce the swelling and discomfort.

Sorry I can provide even more advice at this stage but let us know how you get on and we can see if we can then provide more input.

regards :-)

[gr8hashim]

Dear sally,
You must stabilize your knee by applying rigid taping so that even if you are on weight bearing u may have some protection. For any query further you can email us at
Www.facebook.com/Physiogic

[Jeff04]

Dear sally,
You must stabilize your knee by applying rigid taping so that even if you are on weight bearing u may have some protection. For any query further you can email us at
Www.facebook.com/Physiogic

I agree with gr8hashim......

[Watecc]

Hello

some great advice here. I wonder if I update you, you can help me further. I am now 5 months on from my accident and injury to my right knee. I had a crack in the tibia where the ACL was attached which was left to heal, no need for a cast. The ACL was completely torn. Dr decided I should try conservative management so had 8 weeks intensive physio. Strength regained but no stability and it is still very painful if twist, kneel or catch it. My knee also swells very easily and I have pain on the outer side of my knee where it joins my upper leg. I have continued my physio exercises and I am going on the exercise bike most days for 15 mins or so. I am frustrated that there is no further improvement and I can't do my daily activities and lots of simple basic things.

I am going to see a consultant knee surgeon next week and want some advice as to what to say and ask. I think previous dr have been de missive as I am very overweight/ obese, but I am active I feel they have written me off! Up until 12 months ago I was walking, doing the Yorkshire three peaks and a walking marathon, I broke my foot last summer then this accident an i now can't get my fitness back

i can't continue like this, how do I get them to look seriously at a reconstruction and is this the only option?


thanks in advance

watecc

[Kamy.66]

Hello
I think for ur knee stability u must try using knee cap and u have mentioned your obese so it take time to reduce your swelling why don't u try icing