Knee re-occuring damage..

[Becky_07]

Wondering if anyone can help..
I injured my knee back in march playing football, what happend as I can remember was I went in for a tackle and I think I landed badly on my knee causing it too twist which led to me tearing something inside..From then on my knee swelled up and wasnt able to straighten totally or bend fully.
I left it for a while, not playing sport hoping it would fix up itself. But several times accidently I have pulled it again, resulting in it swelling up again each time.
I went to the hospital and had an X Ray to make sure nothing was broken and nothing was so then I saw a consultant but at the time I managed to get an appointment all swelling in the knee had gone down and it would bend etc.
I left it untill the start of september without doing any intensive sport / exercise.
Since then I attempted to do light jogging and exercises to hopefully strengthen it up. I took part in a small football game, only played half just to see how the knee was and unluckily for me when going in for a header after landing I pulled it AGAIN! (Yesturday) I felt a weird feeling as it happend like a snapping feeling or something...and today it's swallen up just like previous times. Silly I know..
Does anyone have any idea how long it usually takes too heal, I think it's my lateral collateral ligament or tendon but I'm not sure round here it's hopeless seeing a doctor because it takes ages..
:( I want my kneeee back!
Any ideas/advice much appreciated :)
X

[porkchop74]

You might need to see a orthopedic. Mine did the same sort of stuff. Started out as partial tear,went untreated through all the swelling up and limping. I waqited about six months and started back playing football. Then I was all alone chasing someone down the field. It popped, I went down and had to have a complete knee repair. ACL,MCL,and LCL. 12 hours in surgery,and 11 months later I was off crutches. thats been 17 years ago and I still have problems with my knee.so, you might want to get it checked out.

[Ruth]

Hi Becky_07,

It sounds very much like you have sustained ligament and/or cartilage damage to your knee, and if this is the case and you are continuing to participate in sport, you're running the risk of getting a full rupture or worse damage.

Some people can carry on as usual without any further attention, however if you are very keen on sport and regularly participate, particularly if it involves lots of stopping, turning or contact, you really want to get it checked out.

It may take ages to get to see a doctor, but if you further injure your knee it could be quite a lengthy recovery period, so I would advise getting it checked out now, even only to discover the extent of the damage.

Note that x-rays will generally only show fractures, or if you get a very good radiographer they can sometimes identify certain types of ligament/cartilage damage, but this is much more evident on MRI or CAT scans.

I would suggest you get in to your doctor/A&E/ER/Casualty as soon as your knee starts swelling and get the ball rolling, that way hopefully by the time you get to a consultant it will still be demonstrating the problems you are experiencing. Make sure you explain it is happening often and hopefully they will consider taking it further and finding out what is wrong.

I hope this is of some help, please let us know how it goes.