ACL and Torn Meniscus

[SnubbinStax]

Long story short i used to train muay thai & BJJ, unfortunately i ended up causing some knee damage. I have a "Stretched" MCL and a torn meniscus. The MCL Tendon its self isn't severed but in the cat scan for lack of a better description looks like an hour glass. At the time of injury i heard a loud pop and that was a about it, pain set in shortly after. This was 4 years ago. My knee will lock out on me usually 2 or 3 times a day. If i grab the top of my foot and pull it towards my ass it pops back into place and i'm good to go.

When i'm at the gym i'm very cautious of my knee but working out legs seems to be exactly what helps, the stronger my legs get the less my knee "locks".

The specialist i talked with said if i am able to use my knee properly and its not affecting my quality of life it would be better to wait as long as i can before surgery. His reasoning behind that was if they end up having to take a chunk of the meniscus chances are i will have knee discomfort with in 10 years getting progressively worse after those fallowing years. If i get 10 years out of my knee as it then get the surgery for example then i get 20 "good" years out of my knee.

Im sure many members have had injuries similar to this before, i have heard that hgh would help me along with this but due to the fact this injury is so old im curious if gh would have a large enough effect to justify the cost. Also anyone with a similar injury do you have any advice for knee supports that are decent and or tips and tricks that you have found help make things more comfortable.

 

[MindlessWork]

Go to an ortho for an eval as surgery may be required to correct the problem especially as it has been a while since the injury. Hope that helps and good luck!

Don't wait too long as it may be even harder to correct.

 

[Andrew0409]

I'm sorry to hear that and here is my experience. I've broken my ankle, tore my LCL and damaged my meniscus as well. I'm also a boxer and muay thai fighter. I actually switched from a basketball player, to muay thai because it's easier on my knees. I think BJJ may not be good with all the leg locks.

Here's my experience. I was stupid about the broken ankle, I played through broken toes and I thought I would get back to playing within a week. I was young and stupid. Refused to wear a boot. So i'm dealing with some issues there. It compiled up to my LCL tearing later in a car accident and meniscus damaged. Ended up with a doc that gave me oxy for pain...and lets just say that took a toll and recovery from in itself.

But with all the pain killers, I didn't know the extent of the damage and was told it's just a strained ligament...6 months later, finally got a MRI as my pain was still there and I couldn't do anything. Finally showed the extent of the damage. At the time I wasnt pro, and wasnt really looking to become pro at anything. So doc and I agreed that it's already healing and surgery in the US costs a shit load and its not a guarantee that it would be much better.

I regret not thinking about surgery. 3 years later i'm still in pain and doing rehab. My whole body has become imbalanced and tight. I tried making up for it with muscle but it only made it worst as i'm just overcompensating. I'm doing rehab now, and it's finally helping. I would strongly suggest you get a 2nd opinion and depending on your level of pain and how serious you want to fight. You might want to get a good sports surgeon.

I had to give up basketball completely. I had a roster spot tryout for a pro team and I just couldn't get healthy enough for a full season....but i'm still active as a fighter and play pro am baseball. I'm currently training a celebrity for his first fight in shanghai working as one of his cornerman.

 

[SnubbinStax]

I'm sorry to hear that and here is my experience. I've broken my ankle, tore my LCL and damaged my meniscus as well. I'm also a boxer and muay thai fighter. I actually switched from a basketball player, to muay thai because it's easier on my knees. I think BJJ may not be good with all the leg locks.

Here's my experience. I was stupid about the broken ankle, I played through broken toes and I thought I would get back to playing within a week. I was young and stupid. Refused to wear a boot. So i'm dealing with some issues there. It compiled up to my LCL tearing later in a car accident and meniscus damaged. Ended up with a doc that gave me oxy for pain...and lets just say that took a toll and recovery from in itself.

But with all the pain killers, I didn't know the extent of the damage and was told it's just a strained ligament...6 months later, finally got a MRI as my pain was still there and I couldn't do anything. Finally showed the extent of the damage. At the time I wasnt pro, and wasnt really looking to become pro at anything. So doc and I agreed that it's already healing and surgery in the US costs a shit load and its not a guarantee that it would be much better.

I regret not thinking about surgery. 3 years later i'm still in pain and doing rehab. My whole body has become imbalanced and tight. I tried making up for it with muscle but it only made it worst as i'm just overcompensating. I'm doing rehab now, and it's finally helping. I would strongly suggest you get a 2nd opinion and depending on your level of pain and how serious you want to fight. You might want to get a good sports surgeon.

I had to give up basketball completely. I had a roster spot tryout for a pro team and I just couldn't get healthy enough for a full season....but i'm still active as a fighter and play pro am baseball. I'm currently training a celebrity for his first fight in shanghai working as one of his cornerman.

Andrew0409 Your making me jealous bro lol, good for you man that's exciting and rather impressive.

The pain for the most part is an uncomfortable ache but not to bad. I dont use pain killers 99% of the time and when i do its just Tylenol and Ibuprofen. As far as the severity of the injury the Ortho said they were up able to figure out the extent of the injury with out actually performing the surgery to "Get in there and see what they are dealing with".

I am going to take your your advice Mindless work and get a second opinion. I live close to a university that produces very well respected sports surgeon's. The Health care system in Canada is very slow but i do believe i have the option to jump the line if you are willing to pay. I have to look into the specifics.

I by no means was a pro fighter or looking to go pro, I was injured training for the 1st fight... i never did get to see the ring 1st hand and that was the goal. Maybe with a second opinion i will get some kind of confirmation as to which option would be better for the longevity of my knee. I don't want to look back in a few years time and think "if i would have only listened and got a 2nd opinion life would be different'.

 

[Andrew0409]

Other factors are how active are you as a person and even your height and weight. I'm a little over 6'2 without shoes so naturally, my knees and ankles take more to hold up compared to someone whos under 6 feet. I also work as a trainer and manage a gym. So i'm moving around a lot. I'm sadly rehabbing from squating the bar. Yes thats right, I am having doing a full squat with the bar correctly because of severe mobility issues from my injuries even though i am strong but i'm breaking down my whole body so I can use my strength that I lose from mobility and flexibility issues.

But how much pain are you experiencing? Mine is more of a discomfort and some mental fear. Although both would probably not be an issue for the average person, as an athlete, i can feel it really bothering me.

 

[SnubbinStax]

Other factors are how active are you as a person and even your height and weight. I'm a little over 6'2 without shoes so naturally, my knees and ankles take more to hold up compared to someone whos under 6 feet. I also work as a trainer and manage a gym. So i'm moving around a lot. I'm sadly rehabbing from squating the bar. Yes thats right, I am having doing a full squat with the bar correctly because of severe mobility issues from my injuries even though i am strong but i'm breaking down my whole body so I can use my strength that I lose from mobility and flexibility issues.

But how much pain are you experiencing? Mine is more of a discomfort and some mental fear. Although both would probably not be an issue for the average person, as an athlete, i can feel it really bothering me.

I am 6' standing bare foot.
I am very active i am employed in the oil & Gas industry so my job is very physical and i am constantly on my feet. The pain is low for the most part some days i do not even notice it. Other days ill wake up with a deep ache, usually when this happens i some how locked my knee during the night and it will be swollen for a day or 2 then the pain is gone. I am keeping my squats light as well, if i lose form what so ever at all my knee will hurt for days. The mental fear of further injury in always in the back of my mind as well, if i cant walk i cant work.
On a side note i have realized when i am squatting and begin to loose my form my hips will swing out putting more pressure on my good knee which usually results in my back being in a vulnerable position. I have pinched my sciatic nerve doing that before. Rookie move, not that i am aware i keep my weights very manageable and really focus on form.