still sore

[i am sore]

Approx 8 years ago, i was trying to pull a bogged car out of the mud, i was in about a foot of mud pulling on the rope, when the rope snapped. I spun 180 degrees anti-clockwise with my right foot still in its original position, there was alot of noise so i'm not sure if there was a 'snap', i was carried from the mud in alot of pain and was sat on dry land where i stayed for about half an hour. It came good and i ran around on it for the rest of the night. I awoke the next day in absolute agony, was carried to the car and taken to hospital where they said this was a common sports injury. MRI scans revealed damage to the anterior crutiate, however, the surgeons had a look with their little cameras in there and only took out a small amount of dead tissue or cartilage, and said all else looked fine. I could stand on this leg with out pain but could not lift the leg back off the ground unless it was strapped. 8 years on i still get alot of pain in the centre/back of my knee and it radiates into my calf. The pressure of using a knee brace seems to upset it more. Also when i am driving, i have to use cruise control on long drives because i can't use the pedal for long, but when i do i tend to put my right foot under my left leg so that my right foot is resting on its outer side, when i get out of the car, it causes a sharp, agonizing pain on the inner side of my knee below the knee cap. What is wrong with my knee and do i need surgery or can i get away with physio? More MRI scans/x-rays?

[Heidi]

The starting point with these things is always your Doctor. He/she should then be able to refer you to the correct place. If you have done this with no joy, then try a physiotherapist. If they believe you need an MRI they should be able to refer you.
Its near enough impossible to suggest what might be wrong with your knee after such a long period.
Obviously try to avoid any activities which you know cause you pain. Try to exercise it and strengthen the surrounding muscles (within the limits of pain) to help support the knee joint. A knee support/brace may also help in the meantime.
Good luck!