Collateral Ligaments and other non-cruciate tendons & ligaments around the knee :
New knee injury - - Posted by Deblmn (Deblmn), 12 September 2003
I fell down the stairs whilst on honeymoon in Egypt 17 days ago. I was diagnosed there as having a torn MCL in my left knee. I have had a patellectomy on my right knee following an accident many many years ago, I guess as I slipped on the stairs I was protecting my right knee so ended up injuring my left knee. At the Egyptian hospital they told me not to walk on it, gave me a tubigrip type bandage and sent me on my way, no crutches nothing.( guess they thought I could grow wings and fly or something)
I have been to casualty at my local hospital and they confirmed the diagnosis. The casualty physio said I was not walking properly on it and gave me crutches, she then told me I didnt need to wear the tubigrip support or anything. They sent me away with a referral to the fracture clinic, telling me to rest and put ice on it occasionally! My appointment is next week.
I cannot do anything the pain is so bad, (although better than it was when I did it! ) After reading the messages on this board I am getting worried. I am wondering if I should have some kind of support on my knee, how long I am going to be like this etc etc. I am a very active person and sitting here not knowing is driving me nuts. Is there anyone out there who can give me some advice on this, what I should and should not be doing etc etc. I would be very gratefull for any advice
Posted by Jennie (Jennie), 14 September 2003
Hey there!
Welcome to the board 
Though I am sure you as well as I am sorry you have to be here.
I had a car accident about 2 years ago and tore my ACL,MCL,and PCL. Also dislocated my patella. I had immediate surgery replacing all ligaments and since have had 5 knee surgeries. The last surgery that I had was another patella surgery but also had to have all of my ligaments replaced again b/c they had became so lax.
My ACL and MCL had to be replaced by donors and my PCL was sutured together. I told my pt what had happened and he said that it was either the MCL or PCL that doctors don't really worry about unless they have to go in there anyway for something else like your patella or ACL.
How is your walking? or stability? That may depend on how they are treating it. I know believe it or not I could walk unsupported with all of my ligaments torn although the morning of my surgery my os saw me walking without anything on and almost chewed me out b/c of it.
Sorry I couldn't be of anymore help, but just so you know I am here and have been through 2 sets of ligaments and 1 TTT and a recontruction of my patella and its mechanism, and almost had a patellectomy....by the way I would love to here how you are doing with your right knee and how the patellectomy has affected it.
Take care and hope to here from you soon
Love,Jennie
Posted by Janet (Janet), 14 September 2003
Sorry to hear of your injury....and on your honeymoon, no less. What a bummer!
Last summer, my daughter tore her MCL (grade 3- tear). They put her in a hinged brace for support and she was on crutches....weightbearing as tolerated. She was not able to put any weight on it for at least a week, then was slowly able to weightbear. By six weeks, she was totally out of the brace. She started PT right away, with strict instructions not to do anything without the brace.
If you don't have a brace, I would not put any weight on it at all until you see a specialist. No wonder it hurts if you have been walking on it! The good thing is that MCLs heal themselves and they don't really do surgery for them. It is the only ligament in your knee with a good blood supply, plus it is encased in a sheath. That doesn't mean it won't hurt. It took several months of PT and exercise to get to the point where my daughter's knee wasn't sore. But she is a softball catcher, and one year later she is able to play with no pain during or after a game, so I would say she won't have any continuing ill effects from the injury. Good luck.
Janet
Updated Thu Apr 29 2010
