I too just damaged/tore my M.C.L. less than a week ago. My knee was the size of a cantaloupe for the first few days but I've kept it elevated, kept it iced and have been on a constant diet of vitamin I(Ibuprofen). I have a veterinarian in the family and he gave me an ointment they put on inflamed horse joints to use on it too. The progress has been good and I'm excited to hear of full recoveries. I find the hardest part of this whole thing is just sitting still and taking it easy. My sympathy to ya tanneyman13, I'm right there with ya.

ksolem wrote:The best knee doc in Ca is Dr. Neal El'Attrache at Kerlan Jobe. Google him up, and check out his track record with the worlds best athletes...

In CA??? Kind of relative isn't that Kris...

Mike Karch here in Mammoth has an incredible record with the US Ski Team, ACL, LCL, MCL and complete rebuilds for the past fourteen years and has a pretty stellar local record as well.

I tore mine in a skiing wreck a couple of years ago, skiing and getting clipped in football are the most common causes of this injury. Recommend Ice and Elevation as immediate course of action, while refraining from activity [that could re-injure] for at least 3 weeks, this was the course I took and I achieved 100% healing in a relative short amount of time [< 5 weeks]. It was tortuous not being able to ski, but I am convinced that the time off led to my quick healing. Best of luck.
BTW, I like The Chief am >50!

The Chief wrote:

ksolem wrote:The best knee doc in Ca is Dr. Neal El'Attrache at Kerlan Jobe. Google him up, and check out his track record with the worlds best athletes...

In CA??? Kind of relative isn't that Kris...

Mike Karch here in Mammoth has an incredible record with the US Ski Team, ACL, LCL, MCL and complete rebuilds for the past fourteen years and has a pretty stellar local record as well.

Rick, I'm not trying to cut down any other docs. Just read up on the guy. He's the guy Tom Brady went to. I would bet that any ortho working would give Dr. El'Attrache total props, and everyone of them I am sure knows of his work.

ksolem wrote: He's the guy Tom Brady went to.

Who's that????

Besides, he is a "General Ortho Surgeon".

My recommendation is anyone with any kind of knee damage, find themselves a reputable KNEE ORTHO SPECIALIST that works and concentrates with knee repairs only.

That was my point regarding Mike Karch who happens to be the dude who fixed my very rare knee joint related injury.

Just Say'n....

well in a strange turn of events... i finally got an mri 5 and a half weeks after my initial injury. i probly got the worst news possible, i have a bruised bone and according to the doctor "my Acl doesnt look promising". this whole time theyve thought my mcl was the issue but apparently that diagnosis was premature. now i have to wait another 2 or 3 weeks to see an orthopedic knee surgeon who specializes in knees. this opens a whole new can of worms... anyone here have any ACL experiences?

When I blew my MCL, the ACL got ripped off the bone and then reattached itself. Still had to have surgery - I had so much scar tissue that the knee froze, so rehab after surgery was the same, as the reattachment had to completely heal just like a graft.

You really want to get the ACL repaired, if needed. Not doing so risks an eventual complete tear as well as arthritis later. Find the best knee specialist you can who understands how active you want to be and the kinds of things you want to do after this is over.

If you are faithful about the rehab, then you should come out fine - my knee came back 110%.

I know twol outdoorsy people who are missing an ACL completely in one knee -- one tore it in high school sports, one had it atrophy and didn't notice anything but general pain. Both still do climbing/hiking, but both now use trekking poles.

Get it fixed ASAP by a Knee Ortho Specialist.

If you procrastinate, I guarantee ya that arthritis will set in and the repair work will become far more extensive.

I have several buddies that blew it off. They totally regretted it.

Had to have their knee joint completely rebuilt.

tanneyman13 wrote:well in a strange turn of events... i finally got an mri 5 and a half weeks after my initial injury. i probly got the worst news possible, i have a bruised bone and according to the doctor "my Acl doesnt look promising". this whole time theyve thought my mcl was the issue but apparently that diagnosis was premature. now i have to wait another 2 or 3 weeks to see an orthopedic knee surgeon who specializes in knees. this opens a whole new can of worms... anyone here have any ACL experiences?

Bum deal. Good luck 2 you, keep us posted.