Pro Athlete in need of help (Hamstring/MCL)

[opihiman]

The stretching and light weights is probably some of the best things that you can do. I am not sure but you spoke of isolation exercises. Is that isometric ex. if it is you may want to lay off those for a little while longer.

I know at this point you are getting frustrated, but hang in there. YOU SOUND LIKE YOU ARE GETTING BETTER. 6mos is long but you were really pushing on your injured leg.

glad to hear that you are doign better and that your surgery is scheduled.

OPI

[kudisbetta]

UPDATE:

Knee:
I have completed my knee surgery. I am 4 weeks post op. There was a bynch of swelling. It seems like they did a good job. I had my operation done in Aspetar, Qatar. Good facilities, terrible service. I will post pics of the procedure. For some reason my knee locks sometimes at the top of the knee cap.

Hamstring:
The ultimate mystery. YEP, its still there, better some days, worse the next. Ive had some therapist tell me its a posture problem with my pelvis lower back. Some therapists telling me its a problem deep in the muscle. I do magnetic therapy, utrasound, electric stimulation, and ART technique(hurts)1-3 times a week. Yesterday i was on a eliptical fotr 15 minutes. Towards the end it froze up. I also get this weird bubbling feeling in the muscle sometime, and a pulling in the back on my the tendon behind the knee.

Symptoms:
1. hamstring freezes
2. Bubbling sensation in the muscle
3. pain/pulling in the tendon behind the knee
4. pain in the middle on the muscle
5. feeling of overall tightness after any sport ( light or heavy)

[smshaffe]

some of the symptoms are possibly nerve related. you cannot be certain that is is a simple knee problem if no one has tested neurodynamic maneuvers (slump, straight leg raise, etc) and i don't really see anyone considering that.

can you explain what you mean by "bubbling" feeling in the hamstring? is this what may also be called "tingling," "pins and needles," or "ants walking" or is it a different?

if neural elongation test is positive it makes half of the conversation a moot point. all medical professionals constantly miss referred lumbar dysfunction and call it a "hamstring strain." it could be a nerve, low back joint, or muscle among other structures that cause the posterior thigh pain. The hip or pelvis may also refer/send pain to the posterior thigh.

one cannot properly differentiate between the two without doing sufficient in-person testing. but, try this.

"slump test" - sit down, slouch into a poor posture position, look down (move chin toward chest), slowly straighten the knee (making sure to not sit up any higher out of the slumped posture (you should have someone gently hold you into the slouched position because most people accidentally sit up part way), and finally pull your toes up toward your nose (ankle movement only). if, at any point in the test you can move your ankle (point toes up and down via ankle movement) and it changes the way your posterior thigh feels, it is not likely your hamstring causing the problem and you more likely need nerve directed treatment or low back treatment.


good luck.