ACL questions while I look for a new OS

[joval]

I posted on another thread earlier in the week.  Now that I'm learning more I have new questions.  While I look for a new doctor I could use some help.  59 year old female, 6 weeks ago I fainted and when I woke it was clear I hurt my knee.  Can't say if my knee hit ceramic floor or I landed on leg.
 
GP sent me for an MRI it showed high grade ACL tear and micro fractures on the tibia.  I went to an ortho and he downplayed my injury and said to treat it like a bad bruise. I tried asking about the ACL and he just wasn't interested and said my knee was stable.  We could not look at my MRI because his computer froze.
He sent me home with the advice to do what I felt comfortable doing and use a cane.  No need for further visits.
 
A couple of days later my knee gave out and I went down.  It was quite sore after.  I put a call into the ortho, he did not return my call.  Yesterday, when I took a step it felt like my knee was bending inward?  I put in another call and let the nurse know my previous call was not returned.
 
My ortho called this afternoon.  I told him how my knee buckled when getting out of the pool.  I think he asked me 4 times if I was using the cane in the pool.  I answered him that while in the pool I had no weight on my leg at all but getting out of the pool I did have support.  He then stated that when I saw him he told me I had significant damage to my knee/leg and should be very careful.  I said, no, you said treat it like a bruise.  He stated he showed me on the films my damage, I said, no, your computer was froze in fact you didn't want to talk about my ACL at all.  I reminded him he told me my knee was stable.  He did not agree with that statement.  He said studies have shown patients hear only so much of what a doctor is saying.  I reminded him my husband was with me and he heard what I heard.
In the end he said I did too much too soon, my knee has significant damage ? and my knee is stable?  Perhaps I should buy a brace and use it.  He also told me to pretty much stay off for a few weeks.   No follow up needed unless I have a problem.
 
OK, I feel I need a second opinion.  I quite confused at this point about what is wrong with my knee.  While looking for a new doctor what really am I able to do?  What should I not try to do?  I have no clue. I read about exercises to strengthen but not sure what they are.  Do ACL tears require PT?
Thanks!!!

[Snowy]

Good lord. I'm very glad to hear that you're heading away from this OS as fast as your injured knee can carry you! What a horrible experience.

It sounds like you've figured out the most important thing, which is that you need to start working with a physiotherapist as soon as possible. They can help you with keeping the joint mobile while you get over the initial aftermath of the injury, and doing gentle strengthening work. Because you don't have a definite diagnosis yet, it's really important to have a PT work with you on this. You want the muscles around the knee to be strong to help support the joint, but not to overdo the exercise and make your symptoms worse.

There's a great section on ACL prehap (before surgery) and rehab (after surgery) exercises here: http://www.kneeguru.co.uk/KNEEnotes/node/775 (sections 7a and 7b). If your ACL is torn and you do decide you need surgery, you'd still need to go through a prehab program to ensure that you have full extension and flexion before the surgery happens (this is really important as you generally only get back after surgery what you go in with.) It's also good to have the muscles as strong as possible to prepare yourself for rehab. If you opt not to have surgery and go with conservative treatment, building up those supporting muscles is also key.

Hope this helps. Good luck finding a new doctor! There are some lists of specialists over on the information hub if that helps.

[joval]

Thank you Snowy!
That link is just what I needed.  It answered so many questions for me.  I can't thank you enough!
Have a great weekend.
Jo