Fall with injured knee, need advice

[Coalited]

Hi everyone, I am a college student who has a torn meniscus and ACL damage.  The other day I was in my dorm sleeping on my lofted bed when my roommates knocked to let them in.  When I tried to get down from my bed, I ended up stumbling near the top and fell down, landing on my feet.  As a result, my knee is now swollen and won't extend without pain.  Also movement is restricted and I can't walk properly, especially without crutches.  This is in contrast to before when I could still use my leg to walk, etc.

What are your guys thoughts on this?  Is my knee just heavily swollen, or do have another injury such as a broken knee or knee lock?  I also have my finals to do in 20 or so days so now is not a convenient time to start surgery/rehab if there is some way to hold off before then.

[vickster]

Did you already have the ACL & meniscus issues before you fell?  It's not clear from your post.  Have you had imaging done, like an X ray or MRI?   The MRI is used to diagnose soft tissue damage to the ligaments/meniscus but should also show a fracture - although normally an X Ray would be done before the more costly scan to rule out a break.  The meniscus could be trapped in the joint, hence the locking, or it could be the swelling

It is always best to have as little swelling as possible and as much range of motion, before any surgery, especially ACL recon or it's much harder to regain it after the surgery

Talk with the surgeon, but there shouldn't be a reason why you can't wait until you've done your exams.  ACL and meniscus surgery are mostly elective not emergency .  When you get the surgery, make sure the surgeon is highly experienced in fixing these knee injuries and not a general guy.  If you have the surgery immediately, you'll miss your exams, as you'll be out of action for a few weeks at least.

You can pre hab in the meantime and go into the surgery with the great amount of time needed for recovery and rehab.  Follow the surgeon's advice in the meantime and see a physiotherapist if you can, they should be able to help with swelling (as well as the usual ice, proper elevation about the heart and medication as required)

Good luck

[Coalited]

I already had been injured before the fall and am already scheduled for surgery after I get home. Would a locked knee over a period of time complicate recovery? Thanks for your reply!

[vickster]

Do you know why it's locked - was it locked before the fall (i.e. as a reason for the surgery)? 
Have you been checked out by the ER or a specialist?  You should get at least an X Ray to check it's not fractured which would need attention. 
You should also contact your surgeon and explain what's happened as he'll probably want to see any report (I assume you are not near enough to see him in person)

[Coalited]

I'm going to get an xray and orthopedic appointment soon to check for fractures. I have had an MRI before this fall and my knee wasn't locked.

[vickster]

Soon, I assume you mean today?  If concerned about fracture, get it x-rayed asap.  Sounds like you've waited quite a long time already