Cruciate ligaments :

PCL tear, do I just sit and wait for surgery? - - Posted by missylizzyelucy (missylizzylucy), 25 January 2005

Okay... so I've been reading all these great postings and all the help that is out there and thought that maybe someone can help me!!
On December 19th I fell while Ice Skating (used to competitively figure skate) when my blade got caught in a groove in the ice... It was: twist, pop, crack, fall, pop... not very fun!
I was sure that I just "hit my funny bone", so I got up and skated around a bit. The thing is, you don't bend your knees all that much when you skate so I didn't notice much more than a "funny feeling" in my right knee.
I then began the spin I was attempting when I fell, I tried to bend my knee to cross it over the other leg (scratch spin) and felt the most unbearable pain... it nearly made me fall over, and did make me sick to my stomach. I kept skaing very easily for the next hour, but then had to get my friends to help me take my skate off because I could not bend or twist my knee.
Six hours after injury, I was talked into going to the Emergency room. The PA that saw me took x-rays, tested my ACL, MCL, LCL, and menisci, put me in an imobilizer, gave me crutches and told me it was "probably a torn medial meniscus, maybe MCL, and posterior horn" and that I should see an OS within the next week.
Three days later I went to see the OS. He again did field tests for the ACL, MCL, LCL, and menisci, he also thought it was medial meniscus and perscribed and MRI. I told him at that appointment that my knee felt completely unstable and he told me that the test proved otherwise that that I should get an MRI after the first of the year.
I had the MRI done on Tuesday the 4th and the MRI tech said, "no ACL tear, that's good"
That friday I got a call from my OS saying that the MRI showed a PCL tear and that I should call him on monday.
I went into his office with MRI in hand and he was able to point out the completely blown PCL, but that all the other structures looked good. He repeated all the field tests he had done previously, only this time added the posterior drawer test... my knee "opened" like there was no tomorrow, with excruciating pain as well!
He explained the surgery: cadavar achilies tendon allograft, allong with my own hamstring tendon, and said that it would take about 9 months to be back in full form.
I now I have a hinged knee brace that keeps me from falling when my knee gives way, but what else am I supposed to do for the next two months until my surgery! I am soooo bored!
All I want to do is go for a long run, or go ice skaing, or jump on my trampoline, anything active! Now I know I will be in horrible pain if I do those things... but what am I supposed to be doing!?! Just wait for surgery?? Anyone know if I'll do more damage if I do push myself a little now, before surgery? I'll wear a brace, and be careful not to pivot or fall... but can I go for a run, I think the pain might be worth it for the mental relief I'd feel...
Also... I feel like all I think about is my stupid knee! Any help?
Thanks in advance!
Lucy

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