KRins Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 I had an MRI today and found out I tore my MCL. It is a sad day in my world... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiegel06 Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 MCL? I am sorry but what is that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pieman Posted August 27, 2008 Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 It's a tendon particularly in charge of making it so you can walk. I've been there and done that, sorry bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRins Posted August 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2008 The MCL is a ligament (basically the same thing as a tendon, except tendon connects muscle to bone and ligaments are generally what hold joints together.) that keeps the inside of your knee joint stable. Usually it gets injured when you get hit on the outside of your knee and it buckles in. I have a grade 2 tear. Basically I can technically walk on it, but it feels "wrong". I can't really explain it, but when I move I move really slowly and am worried it is going to give out. It swells and hurts a little, but the real pain is when it gives out. Stepping off curbs, stairs, anything that involves twisting my knee...basically avoid this if you can. It instantly makes you feel pretty wounded and weak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quigt Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 I'd say screw it and go for a pair of crutches if it's not too painful to hold your knee in that position. A brace might be a good idea too, and maybe if you have insurance it might cover some good recovery equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRins Posted August 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 I gimped around today...but I realized how many stairs are involved with my daily processes. I'm investing in a knee immobilizing sleeve and crutches tomorrow. I'm just glad I managed to avoid a 3rd grade tear...sometimes those end up on an operating table. Prognosis was 3-4 weeks with very light PT. My doctor is a pretty good one and a family friend so he said he would make sure I got what I needed. No training for at least 3 months...I can't even hang out in the gym because of insurance reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyzarius Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 knee injuries are not fun at all...ever, hope you have a speedy and full recovery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aulian Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 I tore my ACL and was on crutches for six months. It could be worse lol I cant use treadmills or do any sustained impact sport (as in running impact). ****ing sucks is what it does. And comming from someone who was making very high football teams (soccer) it was pretty heart breaking... Especially because I had just come back from tearing my achilles the year before lol... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyzarius Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 stretch good, play hard, limp often! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a-guitarist Posted August 28, 2008 Report Share Posted August 28, 2008 I hear there is a little blue pill for that.... a-g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRins Posted September 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 Well to bring this thread to a sad conclusion, my doctor is about 95% sure my martial arts career is over. Pretty much anything you could consider hard contact to the outside of my knee makes it give out. He thinks the tendon stretched too far and basically stayed that way (think about unfolding a paper clip...just never goes back quite the way it started). It's kind awful, I was used to being able to just take off and sprint when I felt like, play basketball when I wanted, you know...be active. I just hope with some more time I can use a brace and still jog and stuff. I instantly regret ever making fun of people who had less talent than me in a particular sport or activity...now I can't even pretend to participate. I guess I can finally come back and mud again instead of doing PT, on the bright side... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aulian Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 You'll be alright man, I've had some pretty serious tendon/ligament damage from sport... Its weak and it hurts like blazes for the first six months but it'll gradually get better. My best advice is stretch my friend. Nothing major to start, but keep those stretches going every day, even if you are sitting in a chair all day, wake up and stretch. It makes a HUGE difference. After about three years I can still play a full game of indoor football with only mild discomfort, I can run (although stay FAR away from treadmills. They are the ****ing devil.) and be active enough. Sure they arent going to stick me back into the national side, but I can still keep active! So stretch man. Stretch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EyeSeeU Posted September 22, 2008 Report Share Posted September 22, 2008 Dude NFL runningbacks tear all three of their joinies at once!, were talking ACL MCL, and PCL. Then not even 8 months later they are playing in the NFL again. I think you need a second opinion and some surgery! What is the medial collateral ligament? The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of four ligaments that are critical to the stability of the knee joint. A ligament is made of tough fibrous material and functions to control excessive motion by limiting joint mobility. The four major stabilizing ligaments of the knee are the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL, respectively), and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments (MCL and LCL, respectively). The medial collateral ligament spans the distance from the end of the femur (thigh bone) to the top of the tibia (shin bone) and is on the inside of the knee joint. The medial collateral ligament resists widening of the inside of the joint, or prevents "opening-up" of the knee. How is the medial collateral ligament injured? Because the medial collateral ligament resists widening of the inside of the knee joint, the MCL is usually injured when the outside of the knee joint is struck. This action causes the outside of the knee to buckle, and the inside to widen. When the medial collateral ligament is stretched too far, it is susceptible to tearing and injury. This is the injury seen by the action of "clipping" in a football game. An injury to the medial collateral ligament may occur as an isolated injury, or it may be part of a complex injury to the knee. Other ligaments, most commonly the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), or the meniscus (cartilage), may be torn along with a medial collateral ligament injury. What are the symptoms of a medial collateral ligament injury? The most common symptom following a medial collateral ligament injury is pain directly over the ligament. Swelling over the torn ligament may appear, and bruising and generalized joint swelling are common 1 to 2 days after the injury. In more severe injuries, patients may complain that the knee is unstable, or feel as though their knee may 'give out' or buckle. Symptoms of a medial collateral ligament injury tend to correlate with the extent of the injury. MCL injuries are graded on a scale of I to III. * Grade I MCL Tear This is an incomplete tear of the MCL. The tendon is still in continuity, and the symptoms are usually minimal. Patients usually complain of pain with pressure on the MCL, and may be able to return to their sport very quickly. Most athletes miss 1-2 weeks of play. * Grade II MCL Tear Grade II injuries are also considered incomplete tears of the MCL. These patients may complain of instability when attempting to cut or pivot. The pain and swelling is more significant, and usually a period of 3-4 weeks of rest is necessary. * Grade III MCL Tear A grade III injury is a complete tear of the MCL. Patients have significant pain and swelling, and often have difficulty bending the knee. Instability, or giving out, is a common finding with grade III MCL tears. A knee brace or a knee immobilizer is usually needed for comfort, and healing may take 6 weeks or longer. I myself if I were you would get my knee scoped and get surgery. Especially if you have scar tissue building up in there that has to come out. I feel that a grade II tear is not the end of your sports career and with the "PROPER REHAB" you have an 80-90% chance of getting back to your "normal" before the injury self. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aulian Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 I was thinking about your post eyes... And isnt healthcare extremely expensive in the states? I mean all very well saying football stars, but dont they ahve the $$ to back it up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRins Posted September 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 Its even more expensive when your insurance is crap like mine. I'll probably get that surgery eventually...but it isn't financially feasible this second and I'm honestly really afraid of another injury making the entire thing a lot worse. I can't imagine not being able to walk without a limp or something...scares the crap out of me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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